The first band to play the main stage, Magma, immediately set the bar high. The experimental jazz-prog with “made up language” vocals was part Zappa, part Mahavishnu and at times even sounded like a proto Pain Of Salvation. I wouldn’t be surprised if Mr. Gildenlow (Pain of Salvation) was at least a bit inspired by them. Excellent musicianship and an almost overdose of odd time signatures made it a very enjoyable albeit a little exhausting start of the day. (LV)
 

While in between songs at the Magma show we heard some Pantera like riffs coming from Stage01. While walking towards these sweet sounding tunes we arrived in a packed hallway with no way to even see the band from a distance. Smart as we are we decided to try the other entrance and we once again ended up in the hallway. Nonetheless it all begins with the music. And we started to hear more genres within this Icelandic act. Every now and then they just have some extremely catchy Pantera like riffs and solos but overall it is a bluesy like hard rock which is extremely addictive. It just makes you move along. Lucky us, when standing in the hallway reading the program we noticed the band playing was The Vintage Caravan and they would play again on Saturday! Lucky us. (TK)
 

Besides the many prog bands today we were also treated with a shitload of different kind of jam sessions. I myself started with checking out Harsh Toke (who would play 3 different sets this edition) featuring Patti Smith’s long time guitarist Lenny Kaye. The psychedelic jam we received was one that blew us away. Occasionally Kaye took the microphone the sing about a good smoke or a rollercoaster ride and man did he take us on a trip. With a solid, grooving foundation of Harsh Toke, Kaye added that extra touch it needed. (GG)
 

A lot of gossip was going on about The Body. Also during Roadburn itself, a lot of people talked about this band, just as on the internet the months before the festival. So no surprise Het Patronaat was packed, with even a big line outside to get in. I myself was skeptic, since I really do not know what I like about their records. This two-piece noise/sludge band opened their set with an enormous volume in cacophonic noise and some riffs. When I say enormous volume, I mean enormous! The sound was absolutely out of the planet so loud. Even with earplugs in my ears it hurt! You can imagine the impact due to the sheer volume was immense, but I really couldn’t divine any songs, just like on the records. To me it sounds like a cacophonous wall of noise, sludge riffs and a screeching singer, that doesn’t even screams words into the mic. Nope, not worth the buzz… (RM)
 

After a nice hamburger in the weirdo canyon, the strip of bars, cafes and restaurants just around the corner of the 013 venue, I was feeling a little after-dinner dip kicking in. Therefore I decided to not watch a band in this state of mind, but to descend to the basement of the V39, right across the main entrance of the 013, where they’d set up a big screen and where they were played some documentaries in cooperation with Noisey/Vice. I watched for example the One Man Metal documentary about three black metal solo artists: Leviathan, Striborg and Xasthur. Very interesting stuff to watch! Furthermore there were some screenings of the not so serious side of metal: Weedeater reviewing cough medicine and cheese, Wino being interviewed by a 10-year old and the hilarious short documentary about the extraordinary Guy Tavares. Must watch, click here! (GG)
 

Apparently there are two reincarnations of the Italian horror-score/soundtrack masters Goblin. On my birthday in March I got a new LP of Goblin. It was of the new Goblin, doing re-recorded versions of their classic tunes of Susperia, Demonia, etc. I personally though it was a piece of shit, because the re-recorded songs sounded absolutely weak compared to the originals of the 70’s. So with a lot of skepticism I went to see the Goblin show. Oh my, am I glad I know now, that Claudio Simonetti’s (the synthesizer wizard of Goblin) has his own reincarnation! We absolutely got treated on an amazing show of this band. The set list was filled with brilliant versions of soundtracks of Zombi (dawn of the dead), Susperia, Demonia, Phenomea and Profondo Rosso. It was great to see so many people stayed and enjoyed these classic tunes. In front of the stage there was even a dance competition going on, with loads of people dancing on the gloomy synthesizer tunes of Claudio. Goddamn never been so glad I was wrong and that I saw the good version of Goblin! Amazing show. (RM)
 

Being without a bass player when we entered Het Patronaat, Procession sounded a bit empty at first but apparently there were some technical difficulties, because almost 1 song further the bassist suddenly reappeared and all of a sudden it all clicked into place. Sounding like Rob Flynn’s (Machine Head) doom side project, Procession put the true metal into their doom today with some epic fist pump moments during ‘To Reap Heavens Apart’. Highly entertaining. (LV)
 

Having a little bit of time to kill before Candlemass we entered the Green Room where we got treated to some Ian Gillan-esque vocals but a bit 'meh' old proggy rock. The longer we stay the better it got though and the fun this band obviously has is very infectious. Their encore suddenly sounded almost Police-ish but that could also be due to the beers. (LV)
 

Candlemass is currently celebrating the 25th anniversary of its third album Ancient Dreams. In its honor they played the whole album tonight, just as they did with Epicus Doomicus Metallicus back in 2011. This time with Mats Levén (Therion ) as lead vocalist and the extra addition of Per Wiberg (Opeth, Spiritual Beggars) of keyboards. The band was also joined by Nemtheanga (Primordial) to make the night extra-special. Maybe it doesn’t sound as the logical combination, but it just made the performance it bit more special. As an encore they also played ‘Solitude’ to make it complete. (GG)


 

A jam-packed Green Room witnesses the old-school death metal onslaught of Obliteration. The band is tight as hell and has some killer songs, but somehow sounds a little less dirty and unique than on record. The soundman did his job too well I guess, but highly enjoyable nonetheless. (LV)
 

The act I was personally really looking forward to was Opeth. Leader of the band Mikael Åkerfeldt was curating the second day of Roadburn 2014 as you know, but for me personally it was all about Opeth, hoping they could deliver. The last time seeing them play 013 was during the Heritage tour and I could really use some more heavy stuff this time around. And lucky me I got a great set packed with several songs I was hoping for. Starting with ‘The Devil’s Orchid’ I was afraid the band would redo the Heritage show but straight after they started playing ‘Ghost of Perdition’ and I knew this was going to be a good night. In between songs Mikael is known for his extremely simple and yet effective jokes. Today he seemed not really in the mood for this, but he did thank everybody for being there and asked them what they thought about his choices. The reaction was mixed. The band then continued with ‘White Cluster’, ‘Hope Leaves’, ‘Atonement’ and ‘Heir Apparent’. Then they played the almost epic song ‘Deliverance’ and ended with ‘The Lines in My Hand’ and ‘Blackwater Park’. The band will be releasing their new album in June of this year and I can’t wait. (TK)
 

The Old Wind; last band on the Friday-night. I was looking forward to this band, since this band consisted out of some ex-Breach members. Well, this Swedish post-metal/sludge band absolutely knocked me of my drunken feet! With an incredible loud sound and three guitar-players, they knocked every single person in the room of their feet! I wasn’t familiar with their records, but live their sludgy post-metal sounded really good. Think of a noisier Amen Ra, Old Man Gloom and obviously Breach and you will get the picture. Really good vibe in the songs, with a singer/bass-player that really went all the way and screamed his lungs out. Impressive and loud encore for the Friday! (RM)

Click here fot the review of Roadburn 2014, day 1!

Click here fot the review of Roadburn 2014, day 3!

Click here fot the review of Roadburn 2014, The Afterburner!