Diaries of Doom

Uprising 2023 was my first time in attendance at the festival, lured there by the likes of Boss Keloid and Paradise Lost. I can safely say I'll be there in 2024. I'd be more than happy to go as a punter, doing media again, or (ideally!) performing. From what I could see, the entire festival experience was efficient, warm and friendly. I love the sense of community at these festival environments and bumped into plenty that I'd not seen since last summer. There were plenty of bands I wanted to see again, a few I wanted to see for the first time and also a good few surprises in the pack. Let's dive right in... It's my first time seeing Feral State , the openers on the third stage. Their vocalist Joe is also a member of Bile Caster , who I've seen a few times and played the pre-party the night before. Feral State are on the opposite end of the musical spectrum - though they have some groovy moments, most of the set is relentlessly frantic and breakneck-paced. It...

Combichrist - This Shit Will Fuck You U p Promising an old-school set for all of us Uprising attendees, the aggrotech/industrial giants are really offering a treat in a few weeks. 2023 really does feel like Uprising's strongest year and I imagine this set will be much talked about after the event. It's hard to argue with the legendary status of the first song from Combichrist's second record. In every sense of the word, it will fuck the Academy up. Lowen - The Fortress of Blood My pick from 2018's 'A Crypt in the Stars', this track showcases Lowen at their haunting best, with wailing vocals and a uniquely Middle Eastern take on doom that gives them a psychedelic and progressive feel. Lowen do something genuinely interesting and different; this may well be one of the most memorable sets of the evening. Boss Keloid - Hats the Mandrill The one I come back to more than the rest from 'Family the Smiling Thrush'. The key changes are masterful, the riffs cr...