Well it sure doesn’t seem a year since the riff hungry hordes of heavy music fans descended on the streets of Camden. However, in just over a week’s time Desertfest London will once again grace the music venues of Camden – The Black Heart, The Underworld, The Dev, The Electric Ballroom and The Roundhouse.
As is only to be expected, the superb Desertfest team have once again pulled together a cracking mix of bands over the 3 days from Friday 3rd May to Sunday 5th May. Topping the bills at the various venues are the likes of Fu Manchu, Black Tusk, Amenra, Electric Citizen, Om and Mondo Generator, with many other awesome bands playing over the three days.
As I did last year, I’ve decided to focus this preview on some of the bands a bit further down the bills who definitely warrant your attention over the weekend!
Friday 3rd May
1968 @ The Black Heart from 15.15 to 16.00
I first encountered 1968 at Doom v Stoner in Sheffield last year. Their blend of retro rock blew me away at the time and debut album “Ballads of the Godless” has been a favourite ever since. Vocalist Jimi leads the band in fine style and has a great voice that complements the superb sounds created by the rest of the band (Sam, Tom and Dan).
Zig Zags @ The Underworld from 18.15 to 19.15
It’s great to see one of my favourite record labels (Riding Easy Records) curate a stage at Desertfest this year. Label head honcho Daniel Hall releases superb albums by awesome bands on a regular basis and the line-up of Electric Citizen, R.I.P, Zig Zags, Alastor, Blackwater Holylight and Vokonis will keep many a person in the Underworld all day on the Friday!
I’ve highlighted Zig Zags in particular as the singles (“Killer of Killers” and “Fallout”) that I’ve heard from their forthcoming album “They’ll Never Take US Alive” (out May 10th) blew me away with their punky mix of NWOBHM and thrash infused rock. There’s definitely a raw early Metallica influence going on too and I have a feeling that they’re going to absolutely slay live!
Orbital Junction @ The Dev from 18.30 to 19.15
I only discovered Orbital Junction when they played the Dev recently with Famyne but their brand of stoner rock hit a chord straight away with me and a few mates. Coming across a bit like Orange Goblin at times (a massive compliment as far as I’m concerned!) I’m keen to see them again and look forward to their second album, which commences recording at Emeline Studios in May.
https://orbitaljunction.bandcamp.com
Saturday 4th May
Elephant Tree @ The Electric Ballroom from 13.45 to 14.30
Start your Saturday at Desertfest in the right manner by catching London’s own Elephant Tree plying their trade at the Electric Ballroom. With a new (ish) member in the band in the form of John Slattery on synth and guitar and a new album due out later this year, these are exciting times for Elephant Tree. Following up an album as good as their self-titled second release will be no easy task. However, having witnessed them play some new tracks at the recent Mammoth Weed Wizard Bastard album launch show at the Lexington I can confirm that they sound well up for the job!
DVNE @ The Electric Ballroom from 15.00 to 15.45
Next up at the ballroom are Edinburgh’s progressive metal 4-piece DVNE. If you’re a fan of the more experimental side of stoner/sludge metal (think earlier period Mastodon and Baroness) then these guys are the band for you! Their 2017 release “Asheran” was one of the stand out albums of the year so I’m chuffed to finally be able to catch them live.
https://songs-of-arrakis.bandcamp.com
Monkey3 @ The Electric Ballroom from 16.15 to 17.00
Making a hat-trick of band recommendations at the Ballroom are the brilliant Monkey3. These Swiss guys were only recommended to me a few weeks back by a good friend (cheers Gaz) and I haven’t stopped listening to them since! Playing an eclectic brand of instrumental rock that takes in elements from stoner, psychedelic and space rock, Monkey3 are the band that I’m most looking forward to seeing at Desertfest this year. New album ”Sphere” is absolutely incredible and brings to mind the legends that are Pink Floyd at times. You really do not want to miss this band! The only downside is that they clash with High Fighter at The Black Heart!
https://www.monkey3official.com/
The Skull @ The Underworld from 19.05 to 20.05
The Skull are a band who should need no introduction as they feature two members of doom legends Trouble within their ranks (Eric Wagner and Ron Holzner). Whilst still playing a few Trouble classics during their set, The Skull have released 2 great albums in their own right in “For Those Which Are Asleep” and last years “The Endless Road Turns Dark”. Reports are that their live shows have been superb so make sure that you get to the Underworld early to avoid disappointment!
https://the-skull.bandcamp.com
Sunday 5th May
Naxatras @ The Black Heart from 3.50 to 4.50
Naxatras are a three-piece psychedelic rock band from Thessaloniki in Greece and they most definitely deserve your attention! Currently in the midst of a European tour they will be stopping off at Desertfest to blow us away with their riff heavy grooves. Their third album “III” that was released last year takes the listener on a musical journey that I’m looking forward to experiencing for the first time live. Come along and enjoy the ride!
Kurokuma @ The Black Heart from 6pm to 7pm
I’ve seen Sheffield 3-piece Kurokuma a few times now in the live environment and they never cease to amaze me with their experimental sludge noise! Drawing on many influences from across the musical spectrum, George, Joe and Jake create a joyous racket that takes inspiration from psychedelic and sludge metal, whilst incorporating tribal and jazz elements along the way. With new EP “Sheffield’s Best Metal Band Vol 1” due to drop on 3rd May the future looks bright for these 3 amigos.
https://kurokumauk.bandcamp.com
The Devil & The Almighty Blues @ The Underworld from 10.40 to 11.30
Scandinavia seems to be able to produce superb stoner, doom and retro rock bands at will. Adding to the long list of great bands are Oslo’s The Devil and the Almighty Blues, who have got tongues wagging with their Graveyard/Witchcraft influenced sound. Following on from the success of second album “II”, The Devil… have just released a new album in the form of “Tre”, which has been superbly received to date. It’s about time that I caught these guys live and I suggest that you do the same to avoid missing what will undoubtedly be one of the sets of the weekend!
https://www.thedevilandthealmightyblues.com
It goes without saying that there are a shed load of great bands playing at Desertfest again this year. Some of the best bands that I’ve discovered have been those that I’ve stumbled across by accident so ensure that you have a good mooch around to enjoy the full Desertfest experience.
Cheers – see you down the front!
Jules Throne 