Black Skies over Roadburn – Part I

Doodswens, photo: Justina Lukosiote

Tilburg turns a little colder and darker on Saturday. Both in skies and bands, as we move early into Patronaat for the first part of Maalstroom. Everyone looks a bit more haggard, a bit more pale, but with one of those Maalstroom beers in hand, one is ready for the day.

Editor: Guido Segers / photo’s: Justina Lukosiote and Paul Verhagen

Opening up in the Patronaat is Witte Wieven. The band has been around for a while, but might a bit of an unknown to some, as entry into the church is quite easy and we soon face the stage where four musicians take place. Their music is not harsh, but melancholic and flowing along ghostly lines and melodies. Misty Dutch landscapes are displayed on the backdrop setting the mood. The tormented wails of vocalist C. cut through everything. Not forceful, but ice cold. Not to say the band doesn’t have any muscle to back it all up as the bass pounds on.

Wolvennest, photo: Paul Verhagen

The scent of incense greets you as you enter the main stage area of 013. Wolvennest is displaying its uncanny ritual of black metal with shocking footage of sky burials, mystic chants and a wailing theremin. A performance like no other. It makes the whole venue stare silently, mesmerized by what happens on the stage and screen. We’ve entered a completely different festival again today.

Doodswens, photo: Paul Verhagen

The Darkthrone-worshipping black metal of Doodswens, a two-piece from Eindhoven, helps clear the cobwebs a little with their short but sweet display of power in the Ladybird Skatepark. An unlikely setting for the duo, but their powerful blast of black metal is greeted with a roar of approval by the crowd.

Turia, photo: Paul Verhagen

Turia is not a band you can behold in a live setting often, but today they are turning the Patronaat into a frosty oven with their obliterating sound that surges through the room in waves. Furious, direct and full of fire the band unleashes song after song, including some work from the lauded split with American act Vilkacis. The screeched vocals are like lightning within thunderclouds and nothing escapes the pummeling drums and surges of guitar work. It leaves you gasping for breath, and that’s still early in the day.

Snow falls, the air grows cold; Roadburn is turning Tilburg black today.