Posted in Whathaveyou on February 22nd, 2012 by JJ Koczan
I was just doing my usual round of dicking around on the internet and not getting any work done (which seems to be how I spend my days of late), and came across the latest poster for the London Desertfest, and apparently a few bands were added while my back was turned. Perhaps most notably Black Cobra and Zoroaster, but some of those other names toward the bottom would seem to merit some research as well. I’ll get on it.
Click the poster to enlarge:
If you want to do a better job keeping up with Desertfest‘s updates than I’ve apparently been doing, hit up their website.
Posted in Whathaveyou on January 10th, 2012 by JJ Koczan
London Desertfest is apparently announcing a band a day this week, and tomorrow, Sunday’s headliner (you’ll note it says “Very Special Guests” on the poster above) will be unveiled. The news that Lord Vicar and Sigiriya have been added to the bill is worth posting in the meantime, seeing as how it’s, you know, awesome. Serious lineup coming together — I have the feeling it’s going to be a hard time deciding where to be at any given moment. Can’t wait till the full schedule is up.
Arising from the ashes of Reverend Bizarre, who called it a day back in ‘07 came Lord Vicar. With PeterVicar (formerly of RB) now going by his real name KimiKarki, he felt he had unfinished business. The four-piece doom metallers are eager to destroy you with their brutal intensity. Fans of Trouble, SaintVitus and Pentagram take note: Lord Vicar will be preaching their brand of doom at Desertfest.
If you don’t know already, Sigiriya emerged from the mighty Acrimony who disbanded back in ‘01. Dorian, Stuart, Paul and Darren decided to form a completely new band with a more sonic riff-worshipping sound. The guys didn’t hang about between the demise of Acrimony and the birth of Sigiriya serving time with the likes of IronMonkey, Dukes of Nothing, Yeti, Helvis and Black Eye Riot. Hailing from Wales, the four-piece recently opened at the OrangeGoblin Xmas gig and are receiving rad reviews on their live performances and for their debut album Return to Earth.
Posted in Whathaveyou on January 4th, 2012 by JJ Koczan
Recently included near the top of my albums I didn’t hear in 2011 list, San Franciscan Sabbath keepers Orchid have been announced as taking part in the 2012 London Desertfest. They join a lineup that already includes the likes of Orange Goblin, Greenleaf, Stone Axe, Black Pyramid and many, many more, and maybe, if I still haven’t picked it up by the time I get there, just maybe I’ll finally get my hands on a copy of Capricorn from their merch table.
If you dig BlackSabbath, then you’re going to dig Orchid with their fresh take on ‘70s doom rock. The SanFrancisco four-piece came into existence back in 2007 and in ‘09 released their Through the Devils Doorway EP. 2011 saw the guys’ debut album, Capricorn, hit the shops and has receive rave reviews. They toured Europe for the first time this year and now they are working on a new album which is to be released in 2012. Occult rock is coming to London next year.
Posted in Whathaveyou on December 14th, 2011 by JJ Koczan
I almost don’t want to say it out loud because I’m afraid an Icelandic volcano will erupt and I’ll miss their set, but as someone who lives on the other end of the country from the band, I’m stoked as hell at the prospect of finally being able to catch Ancestors live at London Desertfest next April. They’re among several in the latest batch of confirmations, which also includes German heavy psych upstarts Samsara Blues Experiment, British trio Stubb, Trippy Wicked and the Cosmic Children of the Knight, Horisont and more.
Full info on the fest, and the Berlin Desertfest, which is also shaping up, is available at the Desertscene website. In the meantime, here’s a few updates and the poster with the latest lineup:
Atmosphericness will be washing over us in waves with Ancestors, who are now confirmed for Desertfest. The L.A. based 4 piece will be laying down there unique mixture of progressive invention and with influences of doom, stoner and psych all running through their epic tuneage, these guys are sure to blow your mind away. After receiving critical acclaim for their 2009 album Of Sound Mind and having shared a 7? split with the mighty Graveyard, last summer saw them release an EP called Invisible White. Ancestry is a hobby, Ancestors are an experience.
Desertfest are very pleased to announce German heavy psych stoners, Samsara Blues Experiment. These guys have many influences ranging from spiritual to Eastern sounds which adds to the whole Experience. Based in Berlin, the Experiment were founded in ‘07 and could have been seen on the recent “Up in Smoke Vol. III” European Tour. Samsara means “to flow together” and we are looking forward to merging with the band next year at Desertfest. Peace.
Desertfest are pleased to announce UK psych Rockers Stubb. A mutual love of Jamming gave birth to a three-piece of fuzzy psyched rock that come to be known as Stubb. They have toured Europe with the mighty StoneAxe and shared stages with bands such as GentlemansPistols, Firebird and more. Hopefully by the time they hit Desertfest they will be riding high on their debut album which is due for release early next year.