Tuska Festival 2016

31/08/2016

 

 

With an average number of 30 000 participants per year, the Tuska Festival is one, if not the biggest heavy metal festival in northern Europe. Since 1998, it has grown bigger in both attendance and popularity. It is a huge gathering of fans from all places, of artists and bands, in a friendly and happy atmosphere that lasts for 3 days. There metalheads have the choice between 3 scenes (Inferno, Sue and Radio City) and can wait for their favorite bands at the merchandise stand or at one of the various food stands. Burritos, sushis, ice creams… Everybody can find a favorite! The festival along with EMP also organises signing sessions, a great opportunity to meet great bands.

 

I was at Tuska for the first 2 days. These days were exceptional in several ways: very sunny and extremely hot, with temperatures easily reaching 30°c, then sudden rain, punctued with great performances, surprises, meetings and a few sunburns. It is the kind of festival that leaves you drained of energy and with a sore neck at the end of the day.

 

Friday, the first day of the festival and the first time in Finland for Cattle Decapitation. The deathgrind band from San Diego, California managed to make me headbang, even though I'm not into that genre. Their show was brutal, heavy and enjoyable from beginning to end. I wonder how the vocalist can talk after such vocal efforts.

The contrast between Cattle Decapitation and Swallow the Sun couldn't be more baffling. Melodies and a calm atmosphere replaced brutality. The Finnish musicians had my interest for the first songs but unfortunately they lost it. Why? I couldn't hear any difference from song to song. They all sounded so similar and their slow pace didn't help. The show wasn't bad, but it certainly lacked of variety, both in tempo and melodies.

After that, I stayed near the stage with my man and friends for the band we all wanted to see this day: Lordi! We

watched as the set for the exclusive 10th anniversary Arockalypse Redux show was being installed. The monsters pulled out an amazing show, based on the Arockalypse era (2006) with lots of songs and props I had never heard live or seen before. The pyros were a great addition to the show and with a 30+ degrees summer weather, things got way hotter!

After a late lunch break we headed to the main stage Inferno for Testament. I wasn't a fan of this band before their show and sadly it didn't change after. It was a good show, heavy and entertaining, but there was nothing that made me think "Wow, I really like this!".

Unfortunately because of back pains and general tiredness I had to sit down before Beast in Black arrived on stage. Beast in Black is the new band of Anton Kabanen, the ex-guitarist and composer of Battle Beast. I couldn't see what was happening on stage but the music I heard was pretty good. According to Markus, they played some Battle Beast songs in a much heavier version.

Night was starting to fall when the

headliners Avantasia hit the stage. And what a stage! The decor was amazing. This show was impressive: catchy epic songs in which I discovered the beautiful vocals of Amanda Somerville, and Tobias Sammet's energy on stage made it a very nice way to end the evening. The show lasted around two and a half hours and honestly it was a bit too much for me. This first day of festival left me tired and sunburnt but very happy.

 

Day 2 was easier to manage. We arrived later in the day, just in time for Turmion Kätilöt. I remember seeing the two singers of the band hanging out together among the crowd and thinking "They look so cool!". Boy, I felt like a slap on my face when they started playing. This was certainly among the catchiest stuff I have ever heard. But suddenly… balloons! Courtesy of EMP, dozens of balloons were thrown in the crowd. It was very funny.

After a long break and lunch I found myself under the big tent for Thunderstone. Honestly I wasn't really interested

in seeing the band but we gave them a go out of curiosity. It was a good show, with two or three songs that I liked but it was not my thing. The headache that was starting made us leave before the show was over.

An hour and a portion of ice cream later, I felt better and was ready for Anthrax. I was supposed to see them in France but their show got cancelled there. The show was entertaining but what amazed me the most was the quantity of circle pits that happened during the show. These people really seemed to enjoy themselves! I'm not a huge fan of Anthrax but with the hit songs and the circle pits I had a great time.

Then came the show I was eagerly waiting during the day: Ghost's black mass. Papa and the Ghouls got my interest a few years ago and their shows are among some of my favorites. Ghost's show at Tuska was definitely my favorite: I shared the moment with my man, huge fan as well and Papa was definitely in an awesome mood. It seemed like pyros were to be used but heavy rain ruined Ghost's opportunity to perform with fire for the first time in front of us. We managed to grab a few bills of Ghost money. They were wet but we made them dry on our way home. Unlike the other shows, they did not distribute Ghost condoms. Too bad!

 

Overall, I had a great time at the Tuska festival. I got to see some of my favorite bands and discovered the awesomeness of Turmion Kätilöt. I also got to meet new people and see friends I hadn't seen in months. I think all conditions were here to enjoy these two days, not to mention the burrito food station and the cold water stations that saved me from the high temperatures and energy draining. I totally recommend this festival for every metalhead searching for a nice experience and for people who are curious to see how a heavy metal festival looks like.