PlanetMosh Keeping it Metal
Dave Ritchie – So we get to our 4th announcement for Les-Fest 2, Scotland’s award winning Rock and Metal Festival and our first announcement of 2013. Both Fede and I have been working away trying to finalise the last few bands for the Main Stage and hopefully we have a few surprises.
First up we have a rare treat for any Onslaught fans. This exclusive and only Scottish performance features Steve Grice, former drummer and founding member of the British thrash pioneers Onslaught, who has launched his project, The Sanity Days. In addition to Grice (who played on all Onslaught albums thus far), the band features former Onslaught guitarist Alan Jordan (2007’s “Killing Peace”), bassist Jase Stallard (1985’s “Power From Hell” and 1986’s “The Force”), and ex-Grim Reaper, Vocalist, Steve Grimmet, who fronted Onslaught for the best selling album “In Search of Sanity” The Sanity Days will be together for a limited period only and this is your only opportunity to see them in Scotland.
Hot on their heals and completing our Friday night line up, are British Metallers Sworn Amongst, the foursome behind one of 2008’s most ambitious metal debuts And So It Begins, bring you their uncompromisingly fearsome follow-up, Severance. Driven by the band’s unrelenting will to cause general mayhem, Severance brings the best of what was to be found on their previous release and turns up the heat tenfold.
It was brought to our attention that we did not have many bands from Wales, so to help balance that and give the Festival a true UK wide feel we have added one of the most exciting and hardest working Welsh Heavy Metal bands, Triaxis. They will be out promoting their recently released and Metal Hammer, Terrorizer acclaimed album Rage and Retribution.
Moving a bit further West we are also delighted to confirm, Shrewsbury based Death/Thrash Metallers, Arceye. Currently working on the follow up to their 2009 The Divide Between Chaos & Order and having already closed the day at Bloodstock, expect an intense and exciting set.
Next in today’s announcement we have Absolva, a Classic Metal band featuring twin lead guitars in the great British tradition. Formed in May 2012 by Chris Appleton and Martin McNee (Fury UK) and joined by Tom Atkinson (Vice) and Dan Bate (Point Bland Fury) having supported the likes of Saxon, Michael Schenker and Y&T you know you can expect a quality set.
Moving a bit closer to home we would like to introduce you to Bonesaw. This Aberdeen based Death Metal band have supported the likes of Napalm Death and Sabbat so you should have some idea what to expect. They will bring some brutality to our Sunday line up.
Following up on the huge success of Praying Mantis in 2012 we decided to look back at some of the classic 80’s based bands loosely labelled under the NWOBHM banner, that are going through a resurgence. So for this year we are truly stoked to announce Scottish Progressive Metal power trio, Chasar! Having recently performed at Hard Rock Hell and being the only band to receive a 10 out of 10 review in Metal Hammer we can assure you of something special. We don’t like comparisons but if you think of Rush, circa 2112 and Hemispheres you will be in the right place. Don’t miss them.
Finally for the last main stage announcement for today we go off in a completely different direction to bring you My Extraordinary. Hailing from the North East of England and highly acclaimed in the music press. Kerrang! Magazine wrote, “The lads huge choral hooks and 30 Seconds to Mars like, melodies fuse effortlessly with gentle electronics and rocky dance beats. We could not put it better ourselves.
Moving along to Stage 2 this is our first announcement from our Rock for Funds Charity Stage. As well as established artists it will also feature a number of acts from Motherwell College’s award winning HND/HNC Music Course – more to follow.
But first up for Stage 2 we are delighted to announce 3 piece Power-Folk band Steel Threads. They will perform a set blended from Rock, Folk and Acoustic music and having guitar, double bass and violin, it will be ideal if you want a break from the Metal Mayhem. Check them out!
They will be joined by solo artist extraordinaire Mr Dave Arcari, a singer songwriter who’s sounds owe as much to Trash Country, Punk and Rockabilly as they do pre-war Delta Blues. Having graced the stages of Glastonbury and many others throughout the world he is an internationally acclaimed artist.
“Dave plays like he got his skin turned inside out and pretty soon my skin was inside out too listening and it was all good. That boy bleeds for you – he a real down deep player and a soul man…” SEASICK STEVE
Finally for today’s, announcement we bring you an artist that was very well received in 2012. Highly praised and an undoubted highlight of last years second stage we are really pleased announce Christie Connor-Vernal. Armed with just her voice and an acoustic guitar, CCV and her blues-sprinkled tunes are a welcome return to Les-Fest 2.
Phew!
That is it for announcement number 4 and all currently confirmed artist are listed below:
ABSOLVA, ACHREN, AFTERLIFE, ALTERED SKY, ARCEYE, ARTISFICTION, BABYLON FIRE, BISONGRASS, BONAFIDE,BONESAW, BULL-RIFF STAMPEDE, CHASAR, CHRISTIE CONNOR-VERNAL,DANA O’HARA, DAVE ARCARI, DERISION, DESCEND, ESTRELLA, EVILE, EXCELLENT CADAVER, FIRE IN THE EMPIRE, FIREBRAND SUPER ROCK, FURYON, JETTBLACK, KARYBDIS, MAD HATTER 2.0, MAIR, MASSIVE WAGONS, MERCURY UNDERGROUND, MONUMENT, MY EXTRAORDINARY, PEEPSHOW, PRIMITAI, RAVENFACE, SARAH JEZEBEL DEVA, SEVERENTH, SINOCENCE, SKAM, SKARLETT RIOT, STEEL THREADS, SWORN AMONGST, TERMINAL OATH, THE GODDAMN ELECTRIC, THE SANITY DAYS, TRIAXIS, VIRUS……….PLUS MANY MORE!
Dave Ritchie & Fede Vals, Festival Organisers
Links:
https://www.facebook.com/LesFest
https://twitter.com/LesFest2013
Facebook Event page:
https://www.facebook.com/events/254354721357702
