It's a dark, cold and windy morning throughout the North, and Bradford is no exception. Hail, rain and grey skies fill you with the kind of energy that only a British winter can provide. It seems somehow appropriate that Room Thirteen are on their way to Black Winter Day Festival 2005.
With the sets starting late, Escape start off a day of metal that some people could only dream of. There will also be a finite number of people that think even the bands that play Bloodstock are "too mainstream and poppy" - for them, Black Winter Day exists. Vocals that tear through the whole venue and guitar riffs that refuse to relent are on today's menu.
Whilst the weather may have kept some of the crowd away, the venue fills up later on to a rather emotionless bunch of metalheads. Set after set, few people are motivated to move near the stage and even less people seem to show much interest.
Bloodstream and Invey are the only bands that stand out all day - both giving their all to a crowd that just don't seem to care. If you love metal, then it would be a crime to not check out either of these guys.
A night ending to local boys, The Prophecy and Maiden tribute band High On Maiden could have been so much better - sometimes nothing can drive away the dull ache of a cold British winter's day - and apparently metal doesn't always help. If the crowd has just been at all motivated the day could have been so much better, yet so many bands just fell flat to an unresponsive crowd.
If, in 2006, you want to experience the alternative side of metal, electric violins and torn vocal chords then check out Black Winter Day 2006, just hope there's less rain.