PartySan Open Air Report Saturday 10.08.2024
I woke up feeling energized after a long sleep. I think the beers helped me get a deep rest, and this morning was even warmer than yesterday. As usual, I grabbed some breakfast and met up with a few friends before heading to the Main Stage.
The final day of PartySan 2024 kicked off with the opening band, Ulthar, a US extreme metal trio. It was a bit confusing since today there are two bands with almost identical names—Ulthar and Ultha, one with an “R” and one without. I’m not too familiar with Ulthar, as I’ve only listened to a few of their studio tracks. Their sound has a mix ofBlack, Death, and Thrash metal—dark, fast, and unforgiving. The riffs rolled out alongside the pounding drums, making for a solid warm-up. Although there were still some gaps in the crowd, their energy was high, and the headbanging was intense. The audience cheered and clapped after each song, making it a great performance for such an early set.
Regarde les Hommes Tomber made their PartySan debut, and although their performance was solid, I wish they had attracted a bigger crowd. The audience was a bit sparse, which was disappointing, especially since the Germans had to deal with the “black metal in full sunlight” situation.
Next up was Necrot, a California-based death metal trio. I had seen them perform the previous week at another festival. They bring a raw, filthy, old-school death metal sound—no unnecessary frills. The snare drums rattled with reverb, the guitars shredded, and the bass rumbled intensely. Luca Indria’s passionate growls and grunts added to the atmosphere, and when he asked stage security to do a diva move during “Drill The Skull,” the crowd responded eagerly. Anotherawesome performance that left me excited to see them again.
Ultha, the band without the “R,” faced some technical issues during their set. The vocals were barely audible for much of the performance, which was a shame, as those high-pitched vocals are part of what makes Ultha stand out. The sound improved later on, but it wasn’t their strongest show.
After that, it was time for some black and death metal from Poland with Hate, a band I’d been eagerly waiting to see live for the first time. I’ve followed them for years, and their music always feels like a form of therapy. Seeing them live took that feeling to a whole new level. Despite the harsh sunlight, their powerful, aggressive sound and Adam The First Sinner’s dark, raspy vocals created a perfect atmosphere. The set alternated between fast, intense passages and more solemn, ethereal moments, particularly during “Crusade: Zero,” where fire bowls were lit in dramatic fashion. After over thirty years, their professionalism and intensity were unmistakable.
Unto Others, a U.S. Gothic metal/rock band, has generated quite a bit of hype since their inception as “Idle Hands.” Personally, I’ve had a hard time getting into their sound, especially their monotonous vocals, but I was curious to see if their PartySan performance would change my mind. Unfortunately, it didn’t. The vocals were even harder to enjoy during this set, with several missed notes. The guitarist and drummer also made a few mistakes. This performance justdidn’t do it for me.
Next up was Sulphur Aeon, the masters of Cthulhu death metal, returning for their second time at PSOA since 2016. Their epic material, including tracks from their latest album Seven Crowns and Seven Seals, was another highlight of the day.
As evening approached, Obscura took to the Main Stage, performing in the beautiful setting of the late afternoon sun. Sadly, the crowd seemed a bit thinner compared to Sulphur Aeon’s set. Nonetheless, the band delivered a stunning performance of progressive death metal, with six extended tracks showcasing their brilliant melodies and technical mastery. ‘The Anticosmic Overload’ and ‘Septuagint’ were particular standouts, and ‘Incarnated,’ dedicated to Chuck Schuldiner, closed out their set in fine form. My only complaint was that the audience’s response felt underwhelming given the high caliber of the performance.
Over at the Tent Stage, the death metal onslaught continued with Disentomb, an Australian band that I was unfamiliar with before. Their low-tuned guitar riffs and brutal drumming, coupled with guttural vocals, made for a heavy, intense experience that was perfect for the tent stage.
Dutch death-thrash legends Legion of the Damned unleashed their trademark ferocity upon the Main Stage. They commenced with their iconic anthem “Legion of the Damned” and stormed through an extensive setlist drawn from albums such as Cult of the Dead, Doom Priest, and Son of the Jackal. Their performance was a tempest of unrelenting intensity, reaffirming their formidable status as a dominant force in the realm of metal.
Anaal Nathrakh, a UK-based ensemble renowned for their tumultuous amalgamation of grindcore, black metal, and industrial, consistently orchestrates an indelible experience. Their incendiary performance ignited the crowd, exemplifying their prowess in crafting an unforgettable spectacle with every show
Next up on the Main Stage was Paradise Lost, the legendary British gothic doom pioneers. Their set featured timeless tracks like “Pity the Sadness” and an unexpected cover of “Smalltown Boy,” highlighting their skill and Nick Holmes’ upbeat energy. While it was a strong performance, it may not have been as intense as some of the others.
To wrap up the night, Sodom, the legendary German thrash pioneer, took the stage as one of the few bands that not only helped define an entire genre but continue to remain relevant today. Their performance was filled with timeless hits like “Blasphemer,” “Napalm in the Morning,” and “Ausgebombt,” and the audience was fully immersed, singing and headbanging along with Tom Angelripper. Witnessing thousands of fans rocking out together in perfect unison was truly unforgettable. These veterans show that age is just a number, with a stage presence that makes even the younger crowd seem like rookies.
PartySan Open Air 2024 was an electrifying journey through every extreme of metal. From stunning rainbows to relentless sonic brutality, it had something for everyone. The mix of iconic bands, hidden underground gems, and the unmatched festival atmosphere made this weekend an unforgettable experience—a true milestone in the history of extreme metal. See you next year!
Story By Mirko van der Veen and Nova
