Hammerfest III Day I

Friday 18^th March 2011, Pontins Holiday Camp in Prestatyn, North Wales

The only reason I went to Hammerfest this year was because I won tickets.  I had only heard of three of the bands, so wasn’t planning to go.  That would have been a bad choice on my part.  What an amazing amazing weekend!  The sun was out; it was gorgeous outside, and even better inside.  We arrived on the Friday afternoon deliberately in time to see Ravenface.  I enjoyed them, and along with the pre-show Jäger, it was a very good start to the weekend.  My mates put them down as a firm favourite of the weekend.  The band members were so young, so polite, and they kindly posed for fan photographs after the gig.         

Ravenface

Ravenface

After a frenzy of you-tubing before Hammerfest to get a feel for the bands I wanted to see, Feed the Rhino was in the YES column on my ‘bands I have to see spreadsheet’. I hit the Replay button on Mr Red Eye several times.  Live – well they lived up to my expectations.  Definitely a band I want to see again, and they make the Hit The Deck Festival 2011 at Rock City a very feasible option.    

Feed the Rhino

Next on the spreadsheet was Sylosis, but only because it was the band that everyone else in the group wanted to see. I had seen them before and wasn’t blown away.  I was hoping that the main stage would show them in a different light.  I enjoy listening to their music, but on stage, there’s nothing much that does it for me.  I can’t put my finger on it; I just have no desire to see them live…  I did get a nice picture though so wasn’t all in vain.  My mates disagreed.  They thought Sylosis were all that and then some.  


Sylosis

 

Sylosis

Bleed from Within was one of the reasons I entered the Metal Hammer competition. I love the song The Novelist. I would travel all the way to Wales just to hear them play that song.  Wow (I said that a lot that weekend).  I just loved them.  So far, and Hammerfest was soooooo good.  So glad I will be seeing Bleed from Within at Groezrock in a few weeks – yes yes yes!


Bleed from Within

It had been a long day of drinking, playing football in the sun outside the chalets during the afternoon, and watching some pretty awesome bands.  We were all exhausted and battling to stay awake for Ill Niño who took to the main stage after 12.30.  I was instantly awake when Ill Niño came on and just ruled the stage.  I was in awe, their music is so much heavier live – and they were well worth the wait. Went to bed happy and with my head reeling from one of the most perfect days.  A gathering of great friends and great music - good times.

 

Ill Niño