Live Review : Damnation Festival on November 4th 2023 (Part II)

Damnation 2023 is immaculately curated. This is not random bands thrown into some form of inconsistent order. Real thought and consideration has actually gone into who follows who. The entire day works as some sort of cathartic emotional journey, taking you from spiritual highs to desolate lows.

Directly following the astonishing Julie Christmas with Downfall of Gaia is a genius move. Whilst there are real differences between the acts, they share a common DNA strand of emotional resonance. It seems weird to pin this on black metal, but Downfall of Gaia is music to make you cry.

Live Review : Damnation Festival ' A Night Of Salvation" on November 3rd 2023

For many moons, Night of Salvation has existed as a low-key informal get-together on the eve of the Damnation festival, primarily aimed at those who found themselves in Leeds a night early. In 2001 the Lords of Damnation (Gav and Paul to their mates) decided to make it a formal part of proceedings with an emphasis on world-exclusive album sets. To say that it has escalated from then would be an understatement.

FleshtivalsAuthor : Stewart Lucas7 November 2023Bowler Exhibition CentreDamnation Festival, Katatonia, Akercocke, Dead Guy, Leprous, Heriot, Sigh, Enslaved, Din Of Celestial Birds, Bossk, Inhuman Nature, The Sun's Journey Through The Night, Viking Skull, Celestial Sanctuary, NinkharsagComment