Call Of The Wild Festival: Day Two Lincolnshire Showground, Saturday 29.05.26
After a brilliant first day, we’re back for more today, waking up to another beautiful, sunny afternoon at the Lincolnshire Showground. There is a real buzz around the site as the crowd gathers early on, clearly eager to see how Day Two stacks up against Friday’s triumphs.
Onto the music then, and the day gets off to a bit of a dramatic start before a single note is even played. Unfortunately, Pyroclast are unable to attend due to a van malfunction, but stepping up to the plate to open the Kilmister Stage are Catalysis (8). They hit the stage with a ferocious, heavy groove that wakes everyone right up, dealing out aggressive, thrash-tinged riffs with absolute vigour.
Next, we catch a bit of Holyrude Vault (7) as they open up the Trailblazer stage, setting a fantastic, high-energy tone in the marquee, before we head straight back over to the Southall Lawless stage to watch Ransom (9). This bunch are a great addition to the afternoon slot, playing with a brilliant, infectious classic rock energy and plenty of stage swagger that gets a fantastic cheer of approval from the early crowd. They’re like your mates band down the pub, with front man Matt Fielder the cheeky chap that everyone knows!
The momentum keeps flying high as we head back to the Kilmister Stage for Survivalist (8). They completely master their slot, delivering a set packed with heavy, driving riffs and a massive, crushing wall of sound that has the crowd headbanging from the very first chord. I’m really happy we got to see these guys so soon after their gremlin plagued set at Uprising, they well and truly put that one to bed with today’s blinding performance
It’s back over to the Trailblazer tent next for For The Forsaken (8), who treat the packed marquee to a heavy, melodic set played with real passion and deliverance. They leave the stage to a roar of applause, passing the baton over to Recall The Remains (9) on the Southall Lawless stage.
Next, we catch a bit of Holyrude Vault (7) as they open up the Trailblazer stage, setting a fantastic, high-energy tone in the marquee, before we head straight back over to the Southall Lawless stage to watch Ransom (9). This bunch are a great addition to the afternoon slot, playing with a brilliant, infectious classic rock energy and plenty of stage swagger that gets a fantastic cheer of approval from the early crowd. They’re like your mates band down the pub, with front man Matt Fielder the cheeky chap that everyone knows!
The momentum keeps flying high as we head back to the Kilmister Stage for Survivalist (8). They completely master their slot, delivering a set packed with heavy, driving riffs and a massive, crushing wall of sound that has the crowd headbanging from the very first chord. I’m really happy we got to see these guys so soon after their gremlin plagued set at Uprising, they well and truly put that one to bed with today’s blinding performance
It’s back over to the Trailblazer tent next for For The Forsaken (8), who treat the packed marquee to a heavy, melodic set played with real passion and deliverance. They leave the stage to a roar of applause, passing the baton over to Recall The Remains (9) on the Southall Lawless stage.
We’ve been lucky enough to watch this band grow and develop over the last few years and despite them being a bass player down they are a powerhouse of energy; their colossal sound and brutal breakdowns blow away any remaining brain fogs from Friday. Frontman Jacob Collins is a monumental figure on stage and despite them being one of the heavier bands of the weekend the mainly rock orientated crowd take to them
Next up in the Trailblazer tent is Beautiful Freakin’ Weirdo (8). A one man psychedelic rock wizard, a fine discovery today—bringing a chaotic, wonderfully unique alternative rock edge and a wild, energetic stage presence that makes it impossible to look away.
Over on the Kilmister Stage, Welsh heavy rock titans King Kraken (9) step up to the plate and absolutely crush it. This band have been gigging relentlessly it seems for the past two years! We caught them recently as they toured with the hardest working band out there, Fury, and they’ve definitely picked up a few things on the way. They deliver a masterclass in massive, foot-stomping grooves and thunderous rhythm sections, fronted by a powerhouse vocal performance that commands the entire arena. Reminiscent of early Clutch, the grooves are infectious.
Heading back to the Trailblazer stage, we catch a fantastic set from Voodoo Sioux (8), who are their usual jovial, energetic selves, delivering great hooks and plenty of fun rock ‘n’ roll antics. Is there a more energetic and fun bass player in the country than Mario Ermo? I think not!
They are followed immediately by the highly anticipated Saturday “Surprise Band,” which turns out to be none other than US rockers Bullets And Octane (10). The tent is absolutely packed to the rafters for this, the secret had been revealed earlier on that morning. They tear through a blistering, rapid-fire set of high-octane sleaze rock with an immense amount of style and attitude, anthemic songs like Cancer California and Save Me Sorrow get the crowd joining in.
Back out on the Kilmister Stage, The Five Hundred (8) keep the adrenaline pumping at dangerous levels. They produce a colossal, modern metal onslaught, pounding away with aggressive precision and a ferocious live energy that has the pit in full swing.
As the evening draws to a climax, the legendary Wolfsbane (10) take to the stage to headline the Southall Lawless stage. Jase Edwards, Jeff Hateley, Steve Danger, and the ever-eloquent, eccentric frontman Blaze Bayley are in absolute peak form. Blaze is in his absolute element, exchanging banter with the crowd and leading a rapturous tent through anthems like Man Hunt and I Like It Hot. Loads of fun, bags of nostalgia, and simply great old rock ‘n’ roll played with immense heart.
Finally, to close out a superb Saturday, UK thrash titans Onslaught (9) take the headline slot on the Kilmister Stage. They hit the stage with serious intent amid a sea of smoke and heavy lighting, delivering an absolute masterclass in fast, unapologetic, old-school thrash metal. Sy Keeler is back on vocals but it’s the driving, relentless onslaught of razor-sharp guitar riffs and aggressive vocals that completely decimate the main arena. Nige Rocket is the only remaining original member but Onslaught has always been an entity in its own right regardless of who was in the band at any particular moment, but this current line up is as good as any that I (Tony) has seen.
It’s a powerfully climatic and heavy end to Day Two, a bit heavier than the regular attendees are used to, but it’s great to see a festival mix it up a bit and not rotate the same old bands. But a fantastic day, blisteringly hot, leaving everyone absolutely knackered but buzzing for the final day of the weekend!
Next up in the Trailblazer tent is Beautiful Freakin’ Weirdo (8). A one man psychedelic rock wizard, a fine discovery today—bringing a chaotic, wonderfully unique alternative rock edge and a wild, energetic stage presence that makes it impossible to look away.
Over on the Kilmister Stage, Welsh heavy rock titans King Kraken (9) step up to the plate and absolutely crush it. This band have been gigging relentlessly it seems for the past two years! We caught them recently as they toured with the hardest working band out there, Fury, and they’ve definitely picked up a few things on the way. They deliver a masterclass in massive, foot-stomping grooves and thunderous rhythm sections, fronted by a powerhouse vocal performance that commands the entire arena. Reminiscent of early Clutch, the grooves are infectious.
Heading back to the Trailblazer stage, we catch a fantastic set from Voodoo Sioux (8), who are their usual jovial, energetic selves, delivering great hooks and plenty of fun rock ‘n’ roll antics. Is there a more energetic and fun bass player in the country than Mario Ermo? I think not!
They are followed immediately by the highly anticipated Saturday “Surprise Band,” which turns out to be none other than US rockers Bullets And Octane (10). The tent is absolutely packed to the rafters for this, the secret had been revealed earlier on that morning. They tear through a blistering, rapid-fire set of high-octane sleaze rock with an immense amount of style and attitude, anthemic songs like Cancer California and Save Me Sorrow get the crowd joining in.
Gene Louis loves interacting with the crowd and spends a lot of the time in the crowd! It’s a fun party and during their cover of Deep Purples Highway Star he hands the mic to a punter in the crowd who absolutely smashes it! The climax is their big fan favourite Pirates with the whole tent singing along and leaving the crowd completely fired up. It’s a brilliant, sweat-drenched highlight for the afternoon.
Back out on the Kilmister Stage, The Five Hundred (8) keep the adrenaline pumping at dangerous levels. They produce a colossal, modern metal onslaught, pounding away with aggressive precision and a ferocious live energy that has the pit in full swing.
As the evening draws to a climax, the legendary Wolfsbane (10) take to the stage to headline the Southall Lawless stage. Jase Edwards, Jeff Hateley, Steve Danger, and the ever-eloquent, eccentric frontman Blaze Bayley are in absolute peak form. Blaze is in his absolute element, exchanging banter with the crowd and leading a rapturous tent through anthems like Man Hunt and I Like It Hot. Loads of fun, bags of nostalgia, and simply great old rock ‘n’ roll played with immense heart.
Finally, to close out a superb Saturday, UK thrash titans Onslaught (9) take the headline slot on the Kilmister Stage. They hit the stage with serious intent amid a sea of smoke and heavy lighting, delivering an absolute masterclass in fast, unapologetic, old-school thrash metal. Sy Keeler is back on vocals but it’s the driving, relentless onslaught of razor-sharp guitar riffs and aggressive vocals that completely decimate the main arena. Nige Rocket is the only remaining original member but Onslaught has always been an entity in its own right regardless of who was in the band at any particular moment, but this current line up is as good as any that I (Tony) has seen.
It’s a powerfully climatic and heavy end to Day Two, a bit heavier than the regular attendees are used to, but it’s great to see a festival mix it up a bit and not rotate the same old bands. But a fantastic day, blisteringly hot, leaving everyone absolutely knackered but buzzing for the final day of the weekend!
When I nabbed the promo for Oak of Weeping, I had no idea what DSBM stood for. Death something black metal? It was a bit of a gut punch to learn it stands for depressive suicidal black metal. Of course, depression has been the scourge of artists from Sylvia Plath to Robin Williams. Metal serves as a musical outlet that allows artists to express their darkest thoughts through a unique means. Sure, pop musicians can sing about depression, but only metal allows one to dive into the raw ugliness of those feelings. I hope it’s a useful outlet for artists who play DSBM, and for anyone who suffers from depression, please seek help. DSBM generally distinguishes itself from other forms of black metal with pained, anguished vocals and a doomier tempo. This all serves as the backdrop for the debut record from Hungary’s Oak of Weeping, The Grave My Father, the Worm My Sister. András Lipták bases this one-man project not on his own personal life, but on scripture, pulling its lyrics straight from the Book of Job. With its colorful, poetic album and song titles, as well as a novel lens on biblical text, this is about as tempting as the fruit that doomed Adam and Eve to mortality.
A few issues do hold The Grave My Father, the Worm My Sister from being a better record. The major issue is the repetitive nature of the instrumentals. While Oak of Weeping play some fantastic guitar parts, the songs carry on for too long without any real variation in the riffs/trems. The unpredictable nature of Lipták’s vocals does make this somewhat less of an issue, however. Another weak link is the penultimate track, “The Gates of Deep Darkness,” which lacks the musicality of the other tunes. Harsh guitar tones serve to create noise rather than establish any sort of rhythm. There are a few other minor quibbles as well, such as the 40 seconds of silence to end the opening song. It’s the kind of thing that pulls you out of the music’s spell and makes you wonder if your app crashed.
