By Monk
With the heavy metal world preparing to say its fond farewells to one of its greatest icons just a few short hours later, Belfast was also getting ready to send one of its most promising exports on its way to greener (or should that be muddier?) pastures, with this show being billed as the “official Bloodstock warm up” for one of the two co-headliners.
And is if a defiant statement of intent as to what the hallowed turf of Catton Hall can expect in around a month’s time, Insidious Void waste no time ripping into their brand of melodic death metal.
Their performance, as you would expect from this trio of youthful extreme metal scene veterans, is confident, assertive and belligerent, its technical excellence accentuated and aided by a pinpoint sound mix which draws out every note, nuance and ounce of intricacy yet keeps the emphasis on the Titanic-sinking heaviness of what is being laid down.
Nihilanth‘s colourful shirts (apparently worn in honour with this also being American Independence Day) belie the dark density of their sound, their big thick grooves filled with melodious yet suitably aggressive, progressive DM vibes.
They premiere two new songs from their just-completed upcoming new EP before turning back the clock to their first ever release – and then immediately turning it forward again with another emphatic state of intent from said new opus, before finishing with a frantic cover of ‘Crucified’.
Two great sets which provided the perfect kickstart to what would be one of the most iconic weekends in heavy metal history. Now, pass me a mead, I’m off to party…