Black metal band Ancient (above) will be joined at the festival by local and international death metal bands.photo: Coutresy Ancient
The Bratislava suburb of Dúbravka will on October 14 celebrate the aggressive musical stylings of 'death metal' and 'black metal' groups from Norway, Denmark, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The bands will rock the Dúbravka Culture House at the Blizzard Festival, the fourth such metal festival in Bratislava this year.
The Blizzard Festival formerly provided a platform only for Czech and Slovak amateur metal groups, but organisers this year decided to go international. The black metal band Ancient (from Norway, the cradle of black metal, which celebrates the 'structure and beauty of death'), will be the featured group at the festival. Established in 1992 by guitarist and composer Aphazel, it soon became a duo with the addition of vocalist and drummer Grimm. In 1994, the two issued their full-length debut Svartalvheim, followed by Trolltaar.
Grimm then left the band, prompting Aphazel to take his act to the US where he formed a new Ancient lineup with vocalists Lord Kaiaphas and Kimberly Goss as well as drummer Kjetil. The group has since released four CDs, of which 'The Cainian Chronicle' is the best known, followed by 'Mad Grandiose Bloodfriends' and 'House of Eternity'.
Ancient will be joined by Danish death metal group 'Jeel' (death metal is said to be more underground and primal than black metal), and the Czech death/grind band 'Lykathea Aflame' (formerly known as 'Appalling Spawn'). Bratislava will be represented by Orkrist, a new metal group on the scene.
Those who fancy throbbing, angry music reeking of lawlessness, who enjoy morbid lyrics sung by hoarse-voiced prophets of death, backed by heavy, fast guitar work, are all invited to see the live concerts at the hall of Dom Kultúry (The Culture House) in Dúbravka, Saratovská street 2/A.
To get there, take trams #1, 5 or 12 from the city centre towards Dúbravka, or bus #83 from in front of the president's palace heading away from town. Approximately half an hour later, get off at the Alexyho stop. The Culture House sits to the right side of the main road, 50 metres from the tram/bus stop. Tickets will be sold at the door for 250 Sk. For more information call 07-6436 5640.
By Zuzana Habšudová
