Roadburn has added thirty new bands to the bill for 2024, including several special commissioned performances which are the hallmark of this festival. In addition, to HEALTH performing on the main stage for the first time, Kavus Torabi, Ragana Royal Thunder Birds In Row, Body Void, Darsombra, Sunrot, Thantifaxath, are among the new artists for the fest. You can see or extensive coverage of Roadburn 2023 here. See the full new list below and buy tickets at the link below.
Prosaic (Profound Lore Records) is the latest release from the impressive solo Black Metal project, Mizmor. Hailing from the US Pacific Northwest and recorded in multi-instrumentalist A.L.N’s home studio in Portland Oregon, the record follows last year’s Wilts End EP, and Long-Players Cairn in 2019 and Yodh in 2016, which also received a live release following a rare performance recorded at the prestigious 2018 Roadburn Festival.
Let’s get one thing out of the way, Roadburn is still the premier underground fest that it has always been. I know so many people who went into this year’s fest expecting it to be their last, saying the lineup wasn’t for them, or that they didn’t like this change or that change. But I can tell you, they have all already booked rooms and bought tickets for next year. Change isn’t bad.
Intrepid artist and writer Duncan Evans interviewed the incomparable cellist/avant-garde composer and metaller Jo Quail at the recent ArcTanGent Festival. Jo discussed her recent collaboration with Emma Ruth Rundle and tour, how her solo efforts and shows differ, the new projects she is currently composing and their possible future releases (including one with Maria Franz of Heilung), how she was commissioned by Walter of Roadburn Festival to create the acclaimed work “The Cartographer” and how she still utilizes music theory.
One of the more leftfield collaborations of 2022 so far, see’s French electro maestro Perturbator (aka James Kent) purveyor of heavily eighties-influenced dark-wave join forces with Johannes Persson, vocalist/guitarist and principle songwriter for Swedish post-metal innovators Cult Of Luna. The collaboration first bared fruit early in 2020 as Holland’s Roadburn Festival, the legendary celebration of heavy and experimental music offered Perturbator and Johannes the opportunity to collaborate with a specially commissioned live performance.
Rejoicing still in the simple fact we can have a physical Roadburn again, the final two days definitely wore on our pandemic shocked psyche and physique. Stumbling more and wearing down in a way I’m not used to, I mentioned to some friends during the weekend the Pandemic has made us all old, and 5 days on our feet now feel a lot longer. Saturday started with the feeling it felt like a Sunday, traditionally called the afterburner, because by that time you are fairly burnt out.
After three years of waiting and longing, finally there will be an in person Roadburn Festival again. While the 2021 online edition Roadburn Redux, was in itself, innovative and the best digital festival I’ve seen set up during the dark days of the pandemic, nothing beats being physically shaken by bass heavy music and hugging friends from all over the world you only see once a year.
We had the honor of chatting with world-class artist Jaboe to discuss her recently re-imagined album of classics and rareities Skin Blood Women Roses, released via Consouling Sounds / Sonic Rendezvous for Record Store Day. Jarboe discussed this new album, and highlighted points from her entire career, her feelings about Roadburn Festival, and her time featuring with Swans on their best-known and loved material. She also discussed her other artistic disciplines, upcoming world tour, and much more!
As we continue to live in one of the most challenging times in history, one this for certain: music lovers are relieved to have somewhat of a return to normalcy. The return of live music, especially heavy music, provides the cathartic relief we have all been looking for. After over a year of postponements, cancellations, and livestreams, it’s a relief to get to experience live music, and return to experiencing art in the best way possible – together!
