(Live Review) PSYCHOFEST 2022, DAY 4 - Las Vegas, August 21/22
Review by: Mark McQueen
As day four begins, Johnny finally looks a little worse for wear. Taking an inadvertent elbow in one of the pits, Johnny’s sporting a nice shiner. He looks like “Nipper”, that dog next to the Victrola in Francis Barrauds1898’s painting. Still, his enthusiasm (if not his energy) is unabated, and he is ready to hit it again for the last day.
VIOLENCIA
Mexican death metal. Short set. Intense lyrics. Honestly, I only “heard” the set as I was in the room just outside the Rose Ballroom engaged in metal discussions with another fan. As I have nothing too new to report here. An average grade will have to suffice.
74/100
YEAR OF NO LIGHT
Very ethereal. Dark blue hues shadowed the members, (year of no light indeed).
Doomy rhythms and multi-layered musical constructs. This band is exceptionally good. They take you with them on their musical journey of doom and darkness.
A little slow for Johnny, but then he is a little slow today as well. The “Beard” however likes these guys.
Looking at the blue lighting during their music, I could envision a forest in winter twilight behind them. Good imagining but it made the set better to do so. This has been one of my favorite acts this festival. Going with a huge ...
95/100
Band three (for Johnny’s benefit) is downstairs for:
CREMATORY STENCH
Yes Johnny, now you get some death metal. Visceral vocals, but some slow doomy passages that flowed in between the double bass drum speed bursts. I did not hate it. Johnny loved it.
79/100
AMENRA
I guess you call this “experimental music.” It defies labeling. The best I can do for a description that makes sense to me is imagine a black metal band was being fronted by Syd Barrett of Pink Floyd fame circa 1968, when Floyd were really experimenting with soundscapes and heavy lighting.
Yeah, something like that.
Poor Johnny just stood there with his head cocked like a puppy that does not quite understand what you are saying to them but is trying to. This IS intriguing music and well performed but it takes some effort to get into it. I do appreciate something totally novel though, so I am going ...
86/100
SAMAEL
More synth than most of the other black metal bands this weekend. Particularly clever use of lighting. Best lighting for a “Show” rather than just ambiance.
Vocals were in-between, as compared to the other black metal bands. Less guttural than some. The most striking differences though were the keys and strings underneath.
This was a solid and unique black metal experience. Songs were well structured, and they told a story visually as well as sonically. Points for doing that.
93/100
WITCH MOUNTAIN
With singer Uta Plotkin back in the fold, the songs soar majestically again. Powerful female occult rock, and she is beautiful to boot.
Witch Mountain are ultra-powerful in lyrics and emotive songs. Man, they are so good. The Beard is such a mark for them with her back.
This is a near perfect set that I wish were showing on a larger stage with better lighting to accompany it. Still, best set I have seen thus far this weekend.
98/100
KATATONIA
Gothic Metal from Sweden. Soaring and nicely done but:
1. A drop in quality after Witch Mountain.
2. Sound issues harmed their overall grade.
3. Due to other main stage issues, their set got cut majorly short.
As a result: 82/100
PARADISE LOST
From the U.K - gothic symphonic metal. Clean vocals and layered music. Almost a heavy dance sound to it.
Catchy, but nothing about it makes me go absolutely crazy. Respect granted at the fact they have been around 35 years. I also enjoyed their droll sense of dry humor.