the underworld, camden town
The Underworld is located just outside Camden Town underground station in London, and was an apt selection for an indoor festival like this one considering the venue has played host to several metal gigs in the past. And going by the looks of all the posters that were stuck outside, it does not seem like the venue will be able to take any rest anytime soon. Extreme metal is going to ruin its peace, but hell who cares as long as everyone walking outside is made aware that metal is being blasted inside. It was at The Underworld where everyone had to officially collect their DesertFest wristbands for entry into all of the three venues. The second venue was The Black Heart (just behind The Underworld) and the third one being The Purple Turtle (took me eight to ten minutes of walking from The Underworld, but again it depends on how drunk you are). This venue had the biggest stage out of the three, and was to welcome some of the biggest names from the stoner, sludge, progressive, rock n’ roll scene.
Before I tell you what happened next let me show you the drum-kit’s condition before and after the show on day 1. Gives you a pretty good idea about how the place was brought down.
the bass drum (before)
the bass drum (after)
Line-up for day 1 at The Underworld -
Sons of Alpha Centauri
Ancestors
Rotor
Karma to Burn
The first band was scheduled to play at 4 pm and it was none other than UK’s Sons of Alpha Centauri. Only a talented instrumental band like Sons of Alpha Centauri could have attracted so much crowd. And I’m saying that because things had kicked off at the other two venues some two hours back. With a combination of progressive material and doom layered riffs, SOAC did not falter in putting across their strengths. Right after they left the stage California-based Ancestors brought in some real ass-kicking pure stoner/doom metal and served it to the hungry crowd with panache. Heavy at heart and exploding through the speakers, Ancestors must have surprised people who were hearing them for the first time.
Rotor. They are from Berlin, and Rotor is where a weed-smoking beer-drinking kinda sloshed metal head would like to find himself since the entire process of psychedelic influences on your mind and the grooves to move the rest of your body is explained by them. You find yourself trapped in their music, which is a good thing because you are already very drunk and want someone to take you under their wings. Rotor did just that. Ending the first day at The Underworld were stoner metal veterans from United States of America – Karma to Burn. The venue was full, it was raining alcohol and horns were raised in response to this band’s grip over the intricacies of the genre. Headliners for Friday, they charmed each and everyone in the crowd and gave them their money’s worth by doing what they do best. Enjoyed them till the last minute.
A gallery to showcase the first day of The DesertFest at The Underworld. Click on each to enlarge -
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- sons of alpha centauri
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- sons of alpha centauri
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- sons of alpha centauri
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- sons of alpha centauri
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- sons of alpha centauri
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- sons of alpha centauri
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- sons of alpha centauri
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- sons of alpha centauri
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- the bass drum (before)
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- ancestors
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- ancestors
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- ancestors
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- ancestors
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- ancestors
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- ancestors
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- ancestors
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- ancestors
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- ancestors
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- ancestors
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- ancestors
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- the bass drum (after)
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- rotor
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- rotor
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- rotor
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- rotor
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- rotor
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- rotor
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- rotor
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- rotor
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- the underworld, camden town
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- karma to burn
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- karma to burn
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- karma to burn
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- karma to burn
Slideshow -
