Fortress Festival: Day 1
Fortress Festival (Day One)
Scarbrough Spa, North Yorkshire
01/06/2024
Live Review by Oli Gonzalez
It’s night time. I stand overlooking the north sea. The sea breeze rushing through my hair, and the cadence of the ocean’s waves sooth my battered ear drums. Time to allow myself to process what I had just witnessed! For I’d just left Fortress Festival. An attempt by Reaper Agency to curate the finest Black Metal festival the UK has ever seen! A statement. A festival taking place not in the congested cities and predictable hotbeds of Manchester or London, but in the North Eastern seaside town of Scarborough. The venue and location offered a pleasantly welcome change of scenery.
It was little surprise that the event had sold out prior to opening its doors; it was a matter of when, not if! Enlisting the likes of Wolves In The Throne Room and Tryptikon to headline their respective nights, as well as providing a stage for heavyweights Fluisteraas and Blackbraid to make their UK debuts, combined with UK exclusive sets from Regarde Les Hommes Tomber, Ultha, and many MANY more made this incredible feat possible.
So, what led me to this moment of reflection by the North east coast line ? How could I summarise my highlights in written form? (Warning; get yourself a drink. This is going to be a long one).
Day one
Walking through the quiet seaside town, I could see the streets littered with battle jackets and obscure band t-shirts. It’s clear why they and we are all here. There’s a long queue for the wristband exchange, but once things get moving, it’s not long before we’re in (note to self: next year get there a day early and secure my wristband)
Sunken
Normally opening bands at festivals get a raw deal and play to a small fraction of the total attendees. Not at Fortress though! No, the Danes play to the main stage that’s nearly at capacity.
I had seen them only 2 days previously in Manchester and thus makes for an interesting point of comparison. While I enjoyed seeing them in a small venue, this was next level! Here, on their debut UK festival appearance, they looked and sounded like a mainstage band! They took full advantage of the smoke machines, light display, and other tools to enhance their performance tenfold. A performance built upon a wonderful atmospheric Black Metal offering kicking Fortress off in style!
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Waldgeflüester
My first trip to the Ocean Room and second stage. The same can be said for the German act, playing their UK debut. One of the slower bands of the day, they ploughed through their set like a Panzerfaust tank. Intense, methodical, and dripping with raw emotion and sentiment, the tension was palpable up there. A guest appearance from Austin Lunn was a pleasant surprise too in a solid set.
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Obsidian Kingdom
When you think of Spanish Metal bands, who comes to mind? Sincerely, maybe not that many. Though after the band’s thoroughly impressive performance of Mantiis – celebrating their 10th anniversary of the album – they may well have forcefully inserted their way into that conversation! From elegant and aesthetic to fully in-your-face intense, every song and movement flowed elegantly and seamlessly into the next. While impossible to categorise stylistically, they make it very easy to win admirers, offering something different on this Black Metal festival.
Ultha
The main stage is lit with an ominous red glow, and smoke slowly fills the air. This can mean only one thing. The second German act of the day. Before the band even hit a note, Ralph breaks character somewhat and opens proceedings with a heartfelt and well received statement of gratitude.
Now, I’ll try to sum this my feelings in words.
I’ve seen many bands over the years. Though nothing has ever been so overwhelming or emotionally charged as what I witnessed here! They left me broken, reeling, and breathless. I’m not sure if anything could ever match the sheer pulverising intensity of Ultha again! Round after round of crushing atmospheric fury mercilessly smashing your senses into submission. The dual vocal attack of blood curdling growls and high pitch wails of agony are central to Ultha’s sound, piercing further and further into the depths of your soul.
What a privilege to witness their incredible and unique gift to the world of extreme metal!
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Der Weg Einer Freiheit
Still at the main stage, time for German post-Black metallers. I had been drawn to the band’s intense live performances and couldn’t wait to see this in the flesh. Whether I was still reeling from Ultha’s set, something just sadly felt off here though! Maybe the bass was overpowering, the vocals too quiet in the mix. Something just didn’t click. Which is a shame. Still, when ‘Aufbruch’ hit, I squealed in joy! This is arguably their magnus opus and a phenomenal way to end the set after a difficult start.
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Fellwarden
Back to the packed out Ocean Room. Time for the world wide debut and possibly only ever show for British act Fellwarden, passion project for The Watcher, famed front man for Fen.
In terms of audio, maybe some teething issues you’d expect from a band on their first show, though this did improve. Visually? To be honest, it was difficult to see with the stage possibly only knee high, though the light display did a reasonable job to compliment the set. A much smoother and ambient sound was a welcome change of pace at this late stage of the day though, and was an enjoyable set. Will they ever perform again ? Who knows!
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Regarde Les Hommes Tomber
The air was filled with the olfactory stimulus of the incense sticks. Candles burnt and left the Ocean Room stage glowing. Austere Gregorian chants blast from the PA. It’s almost time.
Having seen multiple live performances of the band via YouTube, this was everything I expected! The room was packed. Very packed. Were the French act too big for this room? I’d say so, as the stage was sadly too low and makes viewing the artists nigh impossible for the vertically challenged. Their sound is fierce though. Flawless. Devastating. There’s no escape from another merciless and punishing audial assault.
Crowdsurfers flung their bodies through the air. This was carnage! A wonderful introduction to the band that’s left me wanting more!
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Day two of two incoming.
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Disclaimer: This review is solely the property of and Oli Gonzalez. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this review, unless you have the strict permission of both parties. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.
