Welcome

Metalcamp 2008

Report : Metalcamp 2008
City : Tolmin (Slovénie)
Date : 2008-07-03/09


What would you say if i took you to Central Europe, in a country that was part of Yugoslavia during the 20th century ? The capital of this mysterious land is « Laibach » in German, but is best known as « Ljubljana ». Located by the river Isonzo, lost in the western mountains of Slovenia, the cold and colourless city of Tolmin hosts since 2004 the famous « Metal Camp Festival ». The Metal Camp embraces different aspects. What you’ll get from it is far beyond what you’ve already experienced in any other festivals. Tolmin provides you a “metal holiday” : beer, opened bars, loud music for bleeding ears, a crystal clear river, a stage set within the heart of a sunny and scorching valley…
Your eyes are now closed, your lips have given birth to a smile and you are already dreaming of this world that could be yours ? Please let me be your wake up call and erase your falsely charming clichés… The curtain has fallen… 8 am : you open your eyes, awaken by an oppressing heat. This boring morning will only end at 4.30 in the afternoon, when the festival begins. But it’s too late : you’re dead tired, you’ve walked and your sunburns crow victory. Suddenly, you have an idea (but only if your brain isn’t flooded by beer), clear as daylight. You walk down this little trail to the river, from where you have a superb view onto the valley. You let your ankle feel this crystal clear water : suddenly, your calf, then your leg is in terrible pain. You’ve just realised that the water’s temperature is 12 ° C. 8 pm : a storm is rumbling, and breaks all of a sudden. As the rain floods the whole stage, you take your umbrella : right at this moment, a man in black, with dark eyes grabs you. He is not the Reaper, but this honourable member of the security staff explains you in German (which you don’t understand) that it is strictly forbidden to protect yourself from the flood. You are now a convict.
Come with me now… It’s time for the press conferences. They all took place in a gloomy room, painted with horrible colours and whose walls made of mirrors were marked with human prints… While pink velvet sofas received some famous and beautiful « metal butts, some bottles of beer and wine stood on a table made of glass. We, the journalists, cross-legged, had to wait in a religious and respectful silence the artist’s entrance. We were told to ask our questions in turn, in an arbitrary order and in a comprehensible English. I offer ye the celebration’s program :

Friday, 4.30 pm : Carcass

Saturday, 3 pm : Meshuggah
4 pm : Amon Amarth
6.30 pm : Apocalyptica

Sunday, 4.30 : Ministry

Monday, 5.30 pm : Soilwork
6.30 pm : Morbid Angel


All Carcass members are present. Their entrance symbolizes their mood : they are in surprising good spirits. However, Ken Owens’s (the long time drummer) look and gait questions me. He’s suffering from a degenerative disease and, as I look at him, my empathy starts to whisper… Once sat, Bill Steer (the singer), in a natural way, enjoys asking questions and answering them : “So, your first album is pure crap. Could you explain us the reason why ? Well…” His laugh echoes in this little room, winning hence my neighbors’ trust. Always smiling, with the subtlety of intelligent beings, Carcass gives us a lucid review of their career : “When we stopped, there was no place left for Extreme Metal. Now, you have festivals and more and more fans : we’re proud to be back. We play Extreme Metal, and that’s it. I think we didn’t realize the band’s popularity until we decided to reform. When we stopped, we became more friends than before. We decided to stop, because we didn’t enjoy to play onstage or our instruments anymore”. Maybe you’re asking yourselves what these veterans of Grind and Death think of today’s Metal ? “A lot of bands create their own style using different influences : Carcass, Morbid Angel or Suffocation, for example. There are a lot of good bands today.” What will happen after all these concerts ? “We don’t think about releasing a DVD or a Live. Anyway, we don’t play well when the camera’s rolling !” The album ? “We recorded our albums and we did what we had to do. We didn’t come back because it was “fashion” and consequently to make people talk about us and record an album. This is not a business plan.


Only Tomas Haake, Meshuggah’s drummer, condescended to show up. The band’s spokesman symbolizes their music : ice cold… Tomas gives us a Cartesian analysis of their latest release, Obzene : “The album’s lyrics are similar to the play on words title. Its origin is Zen and Obscene at the same time and describes Man’s ambivalence : vice vs. virtue. Whatever happens, a Man’s speech remains a paradox. We’ve found, thanks to Obzene, a piece of mind. I think that we try to find a certain tranquillity within the chaos of our music. What comes out of our guts becomes music.” Then, he explains scientifically their way of composing songs : “We love music that comes from where we don’t like to go : this is our paradox. We don’t use the schematized cliché “verse chorus”. The financial aspect isn’t eluded : “Bands receive money after they sell. We give money in order to record music. We make more money from the merchandising and the concerts we do than from our albums sales.” Then, the mysterious album Catch 33 (made of one song only) is mentioned : “We’ve already played some parts of Catch 33 live, and we’ll do it again for the next tour. We used a beat box for this album, and we did it naturally. We worked on the same computer, and we programmed the drums together. Every single riff has been carefully and well thought out as we wanted to centre the album on the guitar. The drums were only a support. Nothing was planned. It is true, indeed, that the use of a beat box in the Metal scene is something taboo. We don’t give a damn about how the other bands write songs and we are grateful to new technologies.” Finally, the long awaited question : “Is it cool, fashion, to listen to Meshuggah ?” The answer : “It is obvious that only a few people can understand our music. Not many are interested in it. Others are, but usually don’t understand its spirit.”


Amon Amarth’s singer is as moving as a teddy bear in a coat of arms. Johan Hegg (vocals), despite his Olympian build and his treelike beard, answers with tenderness and affability to questions concerning the composition’s process of their songs : “It is not a secret for anyone that I Iove beer. I’ve always been interested in writing, and beer is a great subject. But don’t worry, we won’t make a concept album about beer or anything else on our next LP. I’m not ashamed of all this folklore that’s part of the band : thanks to this, people learn a lot about Vikings. I love stories, and in particular those from the Greek mythology.” Although the word “beer” has been pronounced several times, this self-mockery doesn’t stop him from talking seriously about the band’s philosophy : “We must go back to pagan beliefs and move away from religion, which is harmful both to one’s and to a society’s evolution. We must have faith in what is around us and protect us : nature, family, friends. Therefore, I think that it’s more a philosophy than a way of living. Our inspiration comes from our environment and families.” The band’s basis’s and its influences, just as its future are mentioned with great humility : “We have basic influences : Kiss, who inspired us by their folklore, Metallica or Rob Halford. We want to continue with these Vikings fights on stage. You perfectly know that it costs us a lot of money and that’s the reason why we can’t do for the moment what we would really want to do.” As soon as the press conference ends, I leap towards him for a cuddle and a story : he opens his arms with a large smile… He’s so tall !


The Metal scene has its own show business. It is hence no surprise to meet artists whose feet are more or less firmly planted on the ground. I therefore must admit that my disappointment regarding Apocalyptica’s charismatic Perttu Kivilaasko was huge. His nonchalant position, his disdainful eyes and sarcastic laughs got the better of my regards towards the band. Luckily, the other members, probably embarrassed by his attitude, didn’t hesitate to answer the questions that were originally aimed at him but thrown back to the journalist like a boomerang. It is no surprise saying that the main subject here was : the cover. Obviously, I question them about this boring leitmotiv : “We will never deny our roots. These covers have moulded the band’s notoriety. They can be compared to a band’s fourth’s member. We have four albums behind us and it’s difficult for a journalist to leave aside this fourth member. He will always follow him and spy upon him. I’m aware that our fans are divided in two categories : those who listen to us because of the “fun side” of the cover, or maybe because they’re nostalgic or just curious. Why not ? The other part is particularly interested in our songs. I therefore I deny neither one nor both categories as they represent what we are and I’m proud of it. However, we made a lot of covers, and it’s enough for the moment, to speak frankly. We are hence now concentrated on composing songs.” Then came the same questions about figured guests : “You’d like to know the name of our next guest, am I right ?We are still thinking about it and about his/her sex : it’s a good start, isn’t it ?Would it be a male, a female or both, we don’t know.” To finish our review, here’s what Apocalyptica answered when a journalist asked them how they managed to reach the point where they are at now : “Nothing was planned. You could say that our arrival into the World of Metal is nothing but an accident. We made it step by step. We’ve also been lucky. We even didn’t know that we’d do covers from famous bands and therefore original songs.”


It happened to be a nice surprise : all Ministry’s members showed up to the press conference. Al Jourgensen seems more rested than during the previous shows. Another sofa is added for his wife, who will look after the comfort of her beloved and funny husband during all the press conference. Yes, Al is in a funny mood, probably slightly drunk (a bottle of wine stands on the table). Then begins a passionate talk on one of Al’s favourite subjects : politics. “The American people are stupid and have elected someone who represents them very well. We now want a president of good sense who will give sense to our country. They are too many Bush’s in the History of our politics. The time of changes has arrived. I’m fed up to spit out my hatred against Bush. I’m tired of it, enough is enough. I don’t want to create anything more against him. Obama is a great guy. Our country will at last regain its credibility : happens what happens, we won’t have a clown to govern us. It’s the perfect moment for me to stop. And if another Bush’s descendant is elected, I’ll move to Canada. No, I won’t make another album against Bush, I’ll run away. This way, there will never be a reformation of Ministry in the future. Never, you understand ? I stop at the top, like true legends do. A lot of people come back, like Freddy Krueger, but money is the reason. I’ll never be poor, because you will continue to buy my tee-shirts. On top of that, I have two music studios, and I’m busy with them.” This bottle of wine puzzles me. I ask him the typical French question, as to say : “What’s the best wine in the whole world ?” His answer : “I’m sorry if I offend some people here, but French wines are the best, even if Italian or Spanish wines are good. The Bordeaux 2003 and 2005 vintage is exceptional. No one can beat the French as regards wine.” My question has had the effect of a brainwash on Al, as he sees himself doing the conference in France ! The reformation is again mentioned by someone : “I’m about to be 50 years old, I’ve got a sore back, after the show I have to go back to the tour bus and I’ve got loads of things to do. So : N – O”. To celebrate his 50th birthday, Al has planned something simple : “I’ll drink wine and I’ll tell my dogs to get me back home. I’ve taught them to do so. One of my dogs is called “Lemmy” and believe me, his sense of direction is very good. Now my beloved sin is to drink good wine (French wine, of course). During Psalm 69’s composition, that I besides didn’t like to compose, I was on drugs. Everybody loved that album that was recorded on drugs. Now I drink, that’s all. I am hence less irritated and I’m more aware of the drugs that are society or the medias. I’m more lucid to compose or to critic.” Half an hour later, I run into Al who invites me for glass of wine and a private strip-tease. He kisses me wildly on my cheeks, holds me into his arms and invites me to have a talk…


Speed, Soilwork’s singer is a head case. He showed up alone, without his band mates. Full of himself, deeply convinced that every woman will fall at his feet, his interview is monotone and monochord : “Regarding the guitarist, we simply fired him. It wasn’t an easy decision to take, but it was necessary for the band’s sake. Despite all the band’s that I’m into, I focus on Soilwork. It ain’t easy to do everything, I’m aware of that, but you can do some nice jams. I don’t complain about this amount of work. On the other hand, the fact that you have so many bands in Sweden creates a competition. We hence must work harder. We must now concentrate on our new songs, because we toured a lot for the last three albums. I do think it’s the reason why the former members left and won’t come back. I’m proud of what we did. Even if a lot of people like clear voices, the also want an interesting and exciting music. We have developed in a natural way our sound that has become better and better through the years. The most important thing is to have a unique sound and a particular style. I don’t need to explain this to the fans. They know how to read and decipher our lyrics and messages.” A capital remark, but only for the journalist who says it, is then mentioned “Your music is far from being extreme but your tee-shirts are black”. The answer, precise and simple, bursts forth : “OK, I don’t think that it is necessary to be irritated to compose or create a song. Black is not an extreme colour and the fans come to our shows : that’s the mean thing”.


Trey Azagthoth, Morbid Angel’s founding member, enters now the arena. He’s testing us while staring at us intensively when sharing hands. He finally takes his place, sure of himself. The scene is set : Trey is the master of everything that will happen. It is useless to try to test or set him up. This man knows his own limits and has total control over what surrounds him. Fascinating. The first three questions ruffle his pride : “This is not an intelligent question. This is only a detail. Next one, please, everybody here doesn’t care. If you want to know if the bands are better in Florida, this ain’t my business : I do my thing and I don’t ask myself such stupid questions.” Little by little, forced smiles appear in the audience, and embarrassment takes hold of the place. It’s my turn now and I must confess that I feel a certain pressure. He comes closer to me, he doesn’t understand me. I ask my question again : “Here’s a good one ! “ I feel relief : “You’re talking about the Sumerian themes that we developed at the time when David wasn’t in the band anymore. I do believe that from the beginning, people read our lyrics in the literal meaning of the word. They’re inclined to forget that Lovecraft is only fiction. Our lyrics tackle the theme of society in general and we don’t systematically use parables. We must have a moral, a philosophy and strength in our characters. We must go beyond the barriers that we’ve built to find the truth. The meaning here is not to criticize Christianity, for example, but rather to do its analysis in a subtle way and then study its basis and weakness. Society is something I don’t understand and I’m convinced that masses are conditioned by what they see. In the end, we forward little messages : we have ideas and we paint colours that aren’t so influenced by Sumerian ideologies. We must think for ourselves, but what I’ve just said is useless : nobody does it.” Unimaginative questions follow : “The next album will be released next year, date which is yet for me unknown.” “The last album is my favourite : it contains more feeling.” “Maybe I’m going to die tonight : if not, we’ll may continue until the end of time. If our albums use every alphabet letter, it’s because I want to do it : there is no mission here. It is not a plan.” Trey stands up, shakes hands with every journalists. It’s my turn, he holds my two hands and says : “Thank you”. What a charisma…


Now think that most of the journalists were wearing the right tee-shirts at the right moment. Two questions were asked, as usual, as if we were all participating to a fair.

La première : « Que pensez-vous du sublime décor que propose le Metal Camp ? ».

First one : “What do you think of the Metal Camp’s superb scenery ?”
The answer is not even suggested. But God almighty, what else could an artist answer ? Do dream of such extraordinary words : “It’s beautiful. We had a walk before coming over here. It’s out of this world.” How original , isn’t it ? Only Johann Hegg (Amon Amarth) shouted a “The food is awful here !”.
Second one : “As a fan…” You know the rest… Surprising, no ? Yes, I know. Next time, I’ll bring over a mammoth case and I’ll change tee-shirts four times a day, according to the press conferences. Then, I’ll laugh at every artist’s slightly eye move or pitiful joke. Or I’ll… There will not be a second time.

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