Getting Masters of Reality over has been a project in the works for Desertfest London since before the pandemic, and it looks like 2024 will be the year. The band burned a few bridges over the last couple years when frontman Chris Goss took a hardline right-wing stance on issues surrounding covid and whatever else (that kind of thing will win fans as well in some cases), but their work remains the stuff of legend and any time there’s a connection to OG-era Californian desert rock — as there is with Goss, who was there in his own band and as producer for Kyuss, etc. — that’s a boon and a good get for Desertfest generally, though even if you’re not a Masters of Reality fan owing to politics or just never having gotten on board, the entire line right under them on the poster is unfuckwithable: Godflesh, Monolord, Acid King and Ufomammut. Goodness gracious. And the next name is Brant Bjork. Gonna be Desertfest, to be sure.

Warms my cold dead ‘eart to see Stinking Lizaveta and Darsombra confirmed — I’ll put Domkraft in that sentimental-favorite category as well, and check out fellow Swedes Astroqueen doing some more traveling — and I look forward to the grandiose plaudits soon to be bestowed on Warpstormer and Goblinsmoker after their respective appearances, which is something Sergeant Thunderhoof should be able to help them through. With Clouds Taste Satanic traversing the Atlantic again, and others like Pijn and Duskwood, Mantar, Maserati and Monkey3, there’s a three-day fest’s worth of acts already revealed in this first announcement and probably two or three more three-day fests’ worth of names to come. I’ll tell you outright I’d shit a brick to see this. If you’re gonna be there, know how lucky you are.

From the PR wire:

Desertfest London announces 25 bands for 2024 edition including headliners Masters of Reality plus, Godflesh, Monolord, Acid King, Ufomammut & more

Friday 17th May – Sunday 19th May 2024 | Weekend Tickets now on sale

Desertfest London have unveiled 25 bands for their 12th edition, taking place across multiple venues in Camden next May 17th – 19th.

Following their pandemic induced cancellation in 2020, Desertfest is thrilled to announce desert rock pioneers Masters of Reality for the event. It will be the band’s first UK appearance in almost a decade. Masters of Reality is the brainchild of legendary producer Chris Goss (Welcome to Sky Valley, Rated R, Blues for The Red Sun, Dust, Songs for The Deaf). Their combination of hard-rock blues with a progressive tinge makes no apologies for not sticking within the stylised box listeners would expect, yet simultaneously provides the perfect lesson in the musical ethos and story-telling of the Palm Desert scene – all led by the man who laid its foundations.

Following an unforgettable performance at the New York edition of the Desertfest franchise a few months ago, industrial trailblazers Godflesh will return to London for a masterclass in sonic brutality. UK exclusive performances come in the form of Swedish doom masters Monolord, California stoner metal legends Acid King and the long-awaited return of Italian experimentalists Ufomammut.

Further Desert Rock royalty rolls into Camden Town, as Brant Bjork Trio will treat attendees to a back-catalogue few artists can compete with. Instrumental sound shifters Maserati, hard-hitting duo Mantar, introspective visionaries Cloakroom and heavy-psych rockers Monkey3 will take the concept of genres and set them ablaze.

Elsewhere the likes of Blanket, Domkraft, Pijn, Sugar Horse, Stinking Lizaveta and Darsombra will bring a captivating change of pace to the event. Whilst the stoner rock vibes remain alive and well with Astroqueen, Wet Cactus, Sergeant Thunderhoof and Duskwood.

If that wasn’t enough to get your teeth into, Desertfest rounds of its first announcement with Goblinsmoker, Clouds Taste Satanic, Warpstormer, Sonic Taboo & Wizdoom.

Weekend Tickets for the event are on sale now via www.desertfest.co.uk with much more to still be announced!

Full line-up:
MASTERS OF REALITY | GODFLESH | MONOLORD | ACID KING | UFOMAMMUT | BRANT BJORK TRIO | MASERATI | MANTAR | CLOAKROOM | MONKEY3 | BLANKET | ASTROQUEEN | DOMKRAFT | PIJN | SUGAR HORSE | STINKING LIZAVETA | WET CACTUS | DARSOMBRA | SERGEANT THUNDERHOOF | GOBLINSMOKER | DUSKWOOD | CLOUDS TASTE SATANIC | WARPSTORMER | SONIC TABOO | WIZDOOM

TICKETS ON SALE – www.desertfest.co.uk

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https://www.desertfest.co.uk/

Godflesh, Live in Boston, Massachusetts, Sept. 15, 2023

Founded by Chris David, who’s played bass with Therion live and for power metallers Majestica and been in tons of other bands in Sweden, among them heavy rock traditionalists Captain Crimson — whose 2016 album, Remind (review here), was released through Small Stone — the goofily-named Wizdoom are gearing up to release their first EP, Trolldoom on March 24. Two singles have been posted from the impending short debut, and a pro-shop video for “Doomed Fleet” — no, not every track on the thing has the word “doom” in it; only two of five — has been posted that bleeds its love for the classic grandiosity of the form. They note a Candlemass influence in the EP info below. I would tend to agree.

At the same time, in the middle of the song, you’ll find a break with soaring falsetto vocals over top, so nothing is quite so simply defined even at this early stage in their run. That, of course, bodes well for both the impending release and future work, but before we get ahead of ourselves, let’s establish two things: First, Wizdoom is not to be confused with Italy’s The Wisdoom, whose Francesco Pucci went on to found Beesus and Fvzz Popvli, and second, that classic doom metal rules. You can definitely hear they’re not starting from a blank slate — that is, it’s not David‘s first band, and they don’t sound like it — but even so, as beginnings go, this one intrigues.

From the PR wire:

Wizdoom Announce debut EP TROLLDOOM to be released on March 24th, 2023!

Pre-order here: https://bangover.rocks/products/wizdoom-trolldoom-cd-pre-order

Swedish doom blues band WIZDOOM announce the release of their debut EP TROLLDOOM on March 24th, 2023! Today the band releases the second single DOOMED FLEET:

”Doomed Fleet is a journey through the sound of Wizdoom!

“It takes you from heavy & slow traditional epic doom with powerful vocals, into a 70s-style bridge in falsetto, a bluesy guitar solo, and an energetic ending. The thoughts behind the song were to create something very alive and emotional but still had energy. Lyrics are about an endless journey and you are afraid to meet the doomed fleet of the dead that might end it, but then you realize that you are the doomed fleet. This is also a metaphor that can be applied to certain things in life that might be a struggle or hard to achieve.

“I personally love this song and I’m very proud of it!” – Chris. D

Tracklist:
1. Doomed Fleet
2. The Half Living Realm
3. Way Of The Lost
4. Engrave
5. Trolldoom

WIZDOOM is the spark of Chris David (Majestica, Therion live, ex-Captain Crimson) as how Blues/Doom Metal sound in his head. Inspired by fellow wizards Candlemass, Witchcraft, and Joe Bonamassa, WIZDOOM crosses over stoner, sludge, and the traditional in honor of the creators of this Doom Blues that today we call Metal.

https://www.facebook.com/wizdoomofficial
https://www.instagram.com/wizdoomofficial/
https://www.tiktok.com/@wizdoomofficial
https://wizdoom.bandcamp.com/

Wizdoom, “Doomed Fleet” official video

Wizdoom, “Engrave” lyric video