Concerts

This was an important evening for GARMENHORD as well as for KWELHEKSE, because both bands played their first gig that night! When I arrived there I was already getting drunk and after a few more beers KWELHEKSE unleashed their Burzum-blackmetal. After a few minutes the people in front of the stage started to bang their heads, especially when Kwelle asked Haat to join them on stage and sing their cover "The Lord Blasphemer". Some freaks started to scream along. KWELHEKSE played a great gig although they made some mistakes, but I guess a lot of bands do that, nobody's perfect. The second band of the night was GARMENHORD - playing pagan metal. Also this time the crowd in front went nuts, again banging like crazy. GARMENHORD played songs of their demo (Chronicles of Arcane Wastelands) and we even got to hear new material ("Al Onder Den Beevenden Haeselaere", "Forsaken Past" and "Sterck alsch nen Clauwaert"). At the end of the gig we screamed "Death and the Deceiver" and so we got what we wanted: GARMENHORD played the song. This was also their last song. Singer Vraeck was in a good mood and he told the audience he wanted to see the pub getting trashed, of course this didn't happen, except for some beer glasses? [which cut up Cormanthor's hand; he started to bleed like hell, decided that Spook should be part of the fun and smeared his blood all over her face? bleed for the Horde!!!!] GARMENH0RD ended their concert after about 40 minutes and to me it seemed that the gig lasted a lot shorter than that. The evidence that they played an amazing gig! HEADMEAT, playing a mix of grindcore and death metal, was headliner that evening. Eeuhm it's hard for me to tell something about their gig because their music is not really my style. For a few minutes I watched their show and I noticed that a lot of people already left. But there were quite some people enjoying their show. Everybody enjoyed that evening full of brutality, even the owner of the pub looked very excited about it. Now we only have to wait for GARMENHORD's and KWELHEKSE's next concert, which will be even more promising? I'm sure of it.

First band on this fifth edition of the Lugburz festival were the mid tempo black metal troops of Garmenhord. They treated us on a couple of Flemish paganised songs, with some well pronounced black scream vocals mixed with some normal voices. It all made you understand the lyrics, at least whey you know some Flemish dialect. Musically they were very melodic although a little more variation would make the songs more progressive and could take the power into the music. The using of some intros was a plus to the sound, surely at the great "Fanfaere des Doodsch". The night couldn’t have a better openings act.Next on was Panchrysia. They are probably one of the most underestimated black metal bands in Belgium (or should I say Europe). And as every time when they play live they conquered the hearts of the people with their supreme gruesome black. Dozens of power were spread over the audience played with an enormous tightness. Within two songs almost everybody was in front of the stage enjoying the shrill guitars, the gargling black screams, the rolling drums and the nice stage appearance. If necessary this band plays Immortal to hell! After this energetic explosion it was time for Keltgar to bring some atmosphere in the place. With their gothic/death they flattered our ears, still with the necessary power woven into it. The surly death grunt was in fine contrast with the beautiful female vocals. The new guitarist was a real acquisition; he gave their music just that bit more which made it almost sound brutal. Also the stand-in drummer was in top form. It would be a gain if he would consider joining the band permanently. The band gave a great impression and got a well-deserved response. Keltgar is ready to struggle the scene.After this atmospheric appearance, Suhrim decided it was time to destroy the place. And that’s what they did immediately. Re-forced with their former drummer they made ‘t Gildenhuis to a real battleground with their bulging death metal. No mercy, just solid guitars, blustering drums, a deep bass and a filthy deep death grunt. No more is needed, well maybe just the enthusiastic playing and the sense of humour by the vocalist. The death metal machine rolled over the people. And these same people went crazy in the mosh pit. An excellent gig after a silence of months on a stage. So the place was totally cleared to welcome the black metal Gods of Enthroned. With their blasphemic fast black metal they ruled the stage within seconds. Great hellish screams, fucking tight guitar playing, capricious drums and a hell of a stage appearance. Enthroned gave the best of what they had and so they fulfilled their reputation for the full 666%. They can share themselves into the elite horde of black metal bands. And the audience thought exactly the same. The sang a long almost every song and got wild by the inciting moves of Sabathan. Sometimes he reminded me on the great Gene Simons. This band would have been the ideal headliner for the festival. Only Ancient Rites had the honour to end up this evening. I watched them for a couple of songs, but decided to get home. Not because they were bad, but because I wanted to go to bed. That night every band played again in my dreams…not surprisingly with the thoughts of this nice festival.

(review by Emillio "Musketeer of death" Verschueren)