The Über Rockin' Guide To... Boomtown Festival 2018 (Part Two)

The Über Rockin’ Guide To… Boomtown Festival 2018 (Part Two)

Written by Rich Hobson
Sunday, 29 July 2018 04:00

As Part One of our guide to Boomtown attested, the line-up for 2018 is offering up a distinctive mix of beloved rock, punk and metal talent.

But, when it comes to seeing how Boomtown is appealing to the rock, metal and punk world, you need look no further than the stunning (and appropriately titled) Earache Factory, a stage curated by the legendary record label Earache Records which offers up a solid dose of some of the fiercest, most ambitious music on the planet. But which acts should you be keeping an eye out for? Read on and see if you agree with our recommendations.

Soulfly (The Earache Factory)

Now 21 years old as a band, Soulfly stand as an institution every bit as respected as frontman Max Cavalera’s previous band, Sepultura. Primal energy and furious riffs meet Brazilian beats and hellish roars across the entirety of Soulfly’s discography, the band offering up a potent mix of thrash, groove and heavy metal that shows no quarter to the idea of Boomtown making a foray into metal territories. One of the top-billed bands on the Earache Factory district (curated by legendary label Earache Records), Soulfly appear ahead of the release of their 11th studio album Ritual, bringing with them the potency that could last be seen on last year’s spectacular ‘Max and Igor Cavalera Return to Roots’ shows, unleashing all kinds of sonic bedlam that’ll prove Bloodstock isn’t the only metal fest to keep an eye on in August.

FFO: Pantera, Slipknot, Ektomorf

IDLES (The Earache Factory)

If there is a UK-based band that are as visceral and righteous as IDLES right now, we want to meet them. The Bristolians have taken the world by storm in the past twelve months, popping up everywhere from headlining shows in the US to stadium support slots with the Foo Fighters in London last September – not bad for a band who’d only just released their debut record. 2018 sees that momentum furthered, the band gearing up for the biggest headline jaunt ever (spreading across Europe, the UK and the US this Autumn) as they drop their second record ‘Joy As An Act of Resistance’ at the end of the month. IDLES are among the most vibrant and energetic bands gracing the UK right now, with their live shows serving as extra punctuation on this as they let loose with anarchic energy.

FFO: Sleaford Mods, Crass, God Damn

Conan (The Earache Factory)

Now over a decade into their career, Conan have carved a niche for themselves as one of the heaviest bands on the planet, letting loose some of the most guturally distressing doom metal you’re ever likely to hear. Approaching the release of their fourth record ‘Existential Void Guardian’, the band are headed down south to bring something wicked to a field in Hampshire, letting loose the bass-driven sludge that they have become so renowned for. Bring ear protectors (or don’t, you mad bastard) and set yourself in for bone-grinding heaviness from Liverpool’s finest doom merchants.

FFO: Melvins, My Dying Bride, Paradise Lost

Turbowolf (The Earache Factory)

Turbowolf have long stood as one of the UK’s finest – and weirdest – bands, the Brisolians being cited by many of our best and brightest alt-leaning musicians as an inspiration. The band’s latest record ‘The Free Life’ reflects this with a stunning line-up of guest appearances (including fellow Boomtown artists Joe Talbot from IDLES and Vodun vocalist Chantal Brown), offering some potential hope for the one-show-only special guest situation that festivals so readily accommodate. Otherwise, expect a set of eclectic and excitable tunes from across all three of the band’s albums, ranging from the rhythmic pound of ‘Rabits Foot’ through to the thrash-esque ‘Read and Write’ and out-and-out weirdness of ‘Domino’.

FFO: Royal Blood, Queens Of The Stone Age, Jamie Lenman

Employed To Serve (The Earache Factory)

One of the strongest acts on label Holy Roar’s frankly staggering roster, Employed To Serve mix furious hardcore energy with metal groove and extreme metal brutality to create something enthralling and unstoppable. The band have been moving constantly over the past couple of years, and this show will come just a couple weeks after the band tour the UK playing 2017’s ‘The Warmth of a Dying Sun’ in its entirety, suggesting that they may be working towards putting that record to bed and starting up the campaign for its follow up. Expect a sore neck and plenty of bruises once they finish up their set.

FFO: Rolo Tomassi, Svalbard, Bossk

Venom Prison (The Earache Factory)

It doesn’t feel like two weeks have passed since Venom Prison completely owned the UK as the opening act on the stunning Metal Hammer Trivium tour, but now the vicious bastards are back again to lay waste to the deep south of England. Injecting fresh fury and energy into the death metal archetype, Venom Prison are pure fire to behold, exuding destructive energy whilst still introducing a level of visceral engagement that can exude so many bands on the heaviest side of the spectrum. Truly, they represent an exciting future for extreme metal, but that also doesn’t preclude them from being one of the most engaging bands in the here and now.

FFO: Employed To Serve, Morbid Angel, Code Orange

Jamie Lenman (The Earache Factory)

This isn’t the first time that Mr. Lenman has turned up on our preview lists (and in fact, nor will it be the last), his sonic anarchic tendencies and schizophonic leanings endearing him to music fans fromacross the spectrum. And, (as we said before) it’s not hard to see why; the man is an absolute genius, pushing the boundaries of what rock can do with stylistic shifts, maverick twists and unstoppable sing-alongs. Bring your best singing voices and prepare to see something brilliant, as Lenman always sets out to excite and enthral.

FFO: The Wildhearts, InMe, Eureka Machines

Massive Wagons (The Earache Factory)

Another band who aren’t a stranger to these lists, Massive Wagons turned up on our Download list and damn near stole the Saturday with their distinctive brand of anthemic throwback stadium rock. Euphoric in its championing of stadium rock choruses and tremendously nostalgia-inducing riffs, Wagons offer nothing less than the full 360-degree rock experience, putting massive smiles on the faces of everyone in attendance.

FFO: The Darkness, Black Stone Cherry, Guns N Roses

Haggard Cat (The Earache Factory)

Roots rock and roll with an extra healthy dose of riffs, Haggard Cat rose from the demise of UK mad-bastard favourites Heck and have quickly established themselves as the spiritual continuation of their predecessors anarchic, unpredictable energy. Not quite so vicious, but a thousand times more raucous, Haggard Cat aren’t taking any prisoners, debut proper Challenger swinging riffs and anthemic choruses like the death throes of rock n roll itself.

FFO: Royal Blood, ’68, Every Time I Die

Vodun (The Earache Factory)

Injecting a sense of colour and panache into modern metal, Vodun combine soulful delivery with doom metal heaviness and a whiff of stoner/psychedelia leanings, creating a package which at once distinctive but calls back to some of the biggest and most iconic names in the game. The band’s second record ‘Ascend’ is due in the not-so-distant future, suggesting an entirely new plane of existence for the spirituality affiliated group, offering a whole plane of existence to be explored. Get in early to see this lot, and prepare to dance your ass off to some of the grooviest riffs this side of Black Sabbath.

FFO: Black Sabbath, Alien Weaponry, Kyuss

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