STONEHENGE METAL FEST 2006– NOCTURNAL FEAR, SUMMON, GODLESS RISING, KEEN OF THE CROW

We arrived at the I-Rock around 8 P.M. The show started at 4:30 p.m., so I’m sure I missed a couple of bands, those bands being WRITHING, HUMAN WICK EFFECT, and ELUSIVE TRAVEL. I may have possibly missed some excellent talent, but I have no regrets because I saw the bands I came there for.

Shortly after walking in the door, Massachusetts’ most mournful band—SHROUD OF BEREAVEMENT—took the stage. SOB has a firm grip on the “beauty in darkness” motif. The group utilized two keyboards, two female choir vocalists (Julie Beaulieu also sings while playing the keyboards), one guitarists/death vocalist, a bassist, and a drummer. The dim, orange stage lights heightened their somber mood. Band leader/death vocalist/guitarist, Dan Robinson’s vocals were remarkably pain-filled, while Julie Beulieau and Samantha Harris sang with mystical tranquility. If I were to hear their performance on a tape, I would never guess the group was without two guitarists because the low end rumbled magnificently. Robinson would later tell me the band was missing the violinist and cello player from their studio recordings. The group made the best of the talents at their disposal, and pulled off a great set consisting of material all through out the band’s career. ‘…And Tears Shall Flood The Earth,’ ‘A Fool’s Lament,’ and ‘A Rose for a Dying Muse’ were some of the highlights of the band’s set.

KEEN OF THE CROW hit the stage next. I had been anxiously waiting to see this band play since I last saw members of the band play in MORGION at the Milwaukee Metal Fest. Although after KOTC’s set, I could honestly say they blew their former band off the stage. KOTC still retains the plodding, death/doom riffs and in-human death growls of MORGION, but they also have an energy that MORGION lacked, especially in the live setting. Thunderous, churning, mid-paced rhythms were hurled through the air, hitting the crowd’s ears and body with the impact of a two-hundred-pound boulder. The five-man band triumphantly strode through four new tracks like ‘Where Dead Kings Lie,’ ‘To Reach Emptiness,’ ‘Seeking Fury, Becoming Wrath,’ and threw in ‘Mercurial,’ from their Demo “Premonition.” The new material was impressive, at times recalling CANDLEMASS at its peak. Expect these new tracks to appear on a full-length CD soon via GRAU RECORDS (MOURNING BELOVETH) out of Germany.

Rebel X Magazine—the organizers of the festival—scheduled the show to coincide with the KOTC, SOB, and GODLESS RISING tour. Those three bands hit the stage in succession, with GODLESS RISING playing last. Featuring ex-VITAL REMAINS members, Jeff Gruslin and Paul Flynn, this band is a treat for any fan of Death Metal. Myspace users may also recognize Gruslin as being the Rhode Island Chapter President of NYDM chat group. With an imposing shaved head and large frame, gauntlets, and a patches-galore denim jacket, you know this guy is going to have tough vocals. Appearances were not deceiving!

GR pummeled the audience with its brutal, auricular assault. The riffs were catchy, Gruslin’s vocals, ear piercing, and the band played tight and as a unit. Anyone could see that these musicians have been around for a while. Starting with the first track, ‘Sacrificed’ from their E.P. “Rising Hated,” the group flew through each track on the said album. “Rising Hatred” is sure to be a top-ten Death Metal release of the year. This band is highly recommended for fans of early VITAL REMAINS.

Those living in the Mid-West know the power of Moribund Records’ Summon. For many in this area, SUMMON was an introduction to Black Metal. Formed in the early ‘90s, before Black Metal become part of the common metal lingo, SUMMON is one of the fastest and most dangerous bands on these shores. Those who disagree with this statement obviously have not seen this four-piece in concert. Before taking the stage, some of the members of the other bands on the night’s bill asked me how SUMMON is live. I responded, “they smoke!” Before the end of their set, the majority of the crowd was upfront, banging their heads, pumping their fist to one of America’s premiere extreme metal bands. The formidable four-piece were in top notch blazing through material covering most stages of the band’s career. They played set mainstays like ‘Eve of Anti-Creation’ and ‘Burning Black Desire,’ a rare ‘Dark Descent of Fallen Souls’ and new crowd favorites ‘Fallen’ and ‘Fast as Hell, Loud As Fuck.’ Sean and Ed traded off face-melting solos, Josh played his kit as if he was an octopus, and Chaz screamed with hellish impiety. SUMMON owned the night, easily getting the best crowd response. If SUMMON makes a rare trek into your territory, make sure to drive out and see them play. You won’t be disappointed.

NOCTURNAL FEAR has been gaining momentum in the local scene for the past couple of years. Last year they released “Fog of War” by way of Elegy Records, which has received rave reviews. I was impressed the last time I caught them play as an opening act for ENSLAVED at this very same venue. I have to say that the group has improved much since then. NF is a group of memorable characters. At the center, there is the vocalist, Remorseless Wargrinder. Wargrinder is tall and lanky, clad in denim sporting a SODOM shirt. His vocal style is like Mille from KREATOR, only more guttural. On one side stands shaven-scalp, Slavehunter, clad in a vintage SODOM “Under the Sign of Evil” sleeveless t-shirt, and fully sleeved tattooed arms. The man can down pick with legendary agility and solo with deadly precision. On the other side stands golden-haired bassist, Terrorizer. She is about the same height as her bass, but she plays it without effort. Last, in the back is drummer Aggressor who somehow follows the dizzying pace and breaks with incredible quick drum rolls. All four of the band members create quite a spectacle. NF used excruciatingly loud volume. I could not hear a fucking thing when I left the venue. One could not expect anything less when tearing through deadly thrash anthems like “Defcon 1” and “Fog of War.” Their covers of KREATOR “Pleasure to Kill” and SODOM “Under the Sign of Evil” gave proper praise to the gods of metal.

The whole night gave proper praise to the Gods of Metal. The sound was quality, all the bands put on memorable performances, and the lineup was diverse. The only regret I have for the whole night is that there weren’t many people there. This is just the first STONEHENGE FEST, though, so I hope the promoters will take the necessary steps to bring in more ticket sales next year (see gallery for pics).