PlanetMosh Keeping it Metal
Saturday and day two started as early as the one before with Bacchus Baracus waking up the remaining sleepers from the main stage. Though having said that there was already a good crowd at the main stage, and a very appreciative one at that. Vantage Point were up next and I was a little worried about the level of the crowd as people had drifted out in the break. However this didn’t last long as the first song soon called them back into the tent for another round. This was a more rocky feel than the bands the day before, which made it even easier to listen to at that time of day. I really liked the old style guitar melodies, with the higher sections and the straight forward roadhouse style vocals.
Because of interviews I only managed to catch some of the last song of Fahran’s set which was a real shame as they’re always good to watch. It was a bit odd at first seeing the new line up, having seen their previous line up a couple of times and Matt Black with his previous band Serpentine. But the change has obviously worked well as they all looked comfortable with each other on stage and confident as a band. Really was a shame I didn’t get to see more of their set.
The same goes for When Our Time Comes as I only arrived for their last couple of song. With their progressive influences they were a departure from the earlier bands and one that I really enjoyed. I’ve listened to them since getting back home and I have to say they gave it all to their performance. They have yet to release their debut album, though their EP Test The Waters shows real promise.
Inferno were due to play two sets that weekend with today’s being on the main stage and after their performances at last year’s Les Fest there was no way I was missing this. The first time I saw them the previous year was during their acoustics set and I was ridiculously impressed, and before you ask yes, they’re just as good with electricity and amps behind them. They have heavy rock riffs with an edgy sound to the guitars and though they are a three piece they compete head on with larger bands with their high energy feel and just the overall feel of their sound.
Now I mentioned good drumming in my review of Friday, but if you’ve ever watched Inferno play then you’ll be able to hazard a guess at what I’m about to say, but bloody hell Jay Lee on drums is awesome to watch. The timing is just spot on, but not just the timing, it’s the technique, the style, the focus – it’s all there and it was just brilliant to watch. If you’ve not seen them go and watch them. It doesn’t matter if it’s a full electric set or their acoustic one it’s a band you have to see.
The penultimate band of the evening were Savage Messiah and having only seen them play just over a month ago in Ibiza, this was another band I was not going to miss. It was really interesting to watch as the first time I had seen them play the stage was somewhat smaller that the Les Fest’s main stage so they were more spread out and being a larger space the atmosphere was less personal. No one at Les Fest would disagree with me I’m sure when I say that they played an absolute blinder of a set; it was fast and furious and entertaining as hell.
I’m due to see them again in Oxford in October at The Cellar and again in November at The Garage, London and if I’m being honest I can’t wait. They’re not a band you can get bored of watching; they play with commitment, energy and aggression. Though they played for just under an hour but it seemed much shorter than that and before long it was time for the last song. Or was it? Calling out to the crowd to see if we wanted another (of course we did) we were treated to the debut of recently written The Last Confession. If you weren’t already convinced that you were going to buy their next album and then for me this would seal the deal. I could wax lyrical about and have you imagine, or I could instead point you to either their Facebook page or click here where you can watch their full set from Les Fest and decide for yourself.
