Ok so we’ve had a look at that HUGE Desertfest Friday. So what of Saturday and Sunday? Well we’d be here all day if we were to chat about every single band - so after much deliberation, we’ve picked out absolute top EIGHT to see across the final two days at Desertfest. So many riffs. Just so many.
Electric Wizard - KOKO (SUNDAY - 21:30 - 23:00)
Desertfest have a very strong history of blending together legendary acts and younger breakthrough bands and this year is absolutely no different. Swaying towards the ‘legend’ part of the spectrum, Doom Metal giants Electric Wizard are all set to close out the festival on Sunday night and in all likelihood they’re probably going to deliver one of the heaviest sets this festival has ever seen. Jus Oborn is one of the most important figures in pioneering bands who have graced Desertfest over the last five years, so it’s fitting we’ll see him tear apart the KOKO as this year’s event comes to a close.
Russian Circles - Electric Ballroom (SATURDAY - 20:30 - 21:45)
Russian Circles are probably a band you may have come across at some point over the years. They’ve toured with some huge acts since their inception, all owing to the fact that this three piece instrumental group are full on the real deal. Hailing from California, Russian Circles have built a lot of their reputation on the live performance. The Electric Ballroom on Saturday has been warned - Russian Circles are coming.
Truckfighters - Electric Ballroom (SATURDAY - 17:30 - 18:30)
Over the past five years, Truckfighters have been one of the real workhorses for Desertfest and the scene in general. This Swedish unit have a phenomenal cult following, to the point where they may well attract one of the biggest crowds of the whole weekend come Saturday evening. Their debut release Gravity X is consistently being considered as one of the most important albums in recent Stoner Metal history and we’re already certain that Desert Cruiser will trigger a moment to remember at Desertfest 2016.
Conan - Electric Ballroom (SATURDAY - 16:00 - 17:00)
When you look at the modern Doom Metal scene, it’s impossible to ignore a band who we consider as the current leading lights. Conan won’t appreciate any form of ‘light’ being used in their description as their demonically brilliant presence is something so many other bands on this line up are striving towards. Conan are heavy beyond belief whilst remaining genuinely interesting. Blood Eagle in 2014 changed the game for Conan, Revengeance has just maintained that. This is NOT a set you want to miss.
Godflesh - Electric Ballroom (SUNDAY - 22:45 - 00:00)
You may well have already checked out Justin Broadrick earlier on in the festival with him bringing his JK Flesh project to the festival as well. Broadrick is genuinely one of the most talented musicians within the British heavy scene, with Godflesh's Industrial sound paving the way for so many bands after them. It was excellent to see Broadrick and G.C.Green reform at the turn of the decade turning in the superb A World Lit Only By Fire in 2014. The Sunday's extension across four stages means that the Ballroom effectively ends up as the 'second stage', but their headline performance on the night will form a perfect ending to the whole event for this hugely popular band.
Mantar - The Black Heart (SATURDAY - 22:00 - 23:00)
Mantar are one of those bands who sound like an army unleashed in to your skull before looking up and soon realising that there are actually only two of them on the stage. Mantar's profile is set to grow over the next couple of years, signing with Nuclear Blast Records and building a reputation on the continent has made them one of the key bands to catch at this year's festival. They blend huge sounding Doom with elements of Black Metal and Punk. The Black Heart has housed many legendary shows over the year, this has the potential of being another.
Bast - Electric Ballroom (SUNDAY - 15:30 - 16:15)
Another band who's stock has the potential to seriously rise in the near future are the Sludge-y Black Metal unit Bast. This three piece hailing from London will have a serious point to prove in such an early slot on the Sunday. They've shared the stage in support slots for several other bands on the bill so there is every chance you may have encountered these lot before; so if you don't particularly fancy struggling your way through a hangover fuelled by Saturday's escapades and Woody's Grill, Bast will smash it out of you in one big, nasty 45 minute slot.
Trouble - KOKO (SUNDAY - 19:45 - 20:45)
And last but not least we have one of the true pioneers of the Doom scene. Recently celebrating their 25th anniversary, if you want to hear some of the most important bands in Doom Metal history check out 1984 and 1985's Psalm 9 and The Skull. Whilst they've had several member changes in their storied history, Bruce Franklin and Rick Wartell still operate at their, remaining an important staple on the current live scene.
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