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Friday looked promising considering the rainy night, but soon the hell began. Oh, not to forget, the mornings in the camp are quite funny. There is so much coughing (we, too, participate, by the way). If we still were in the Covid-era, which, by the way, we will be from (exactly) 15 September on - according to, let's say, "Nova-Nostradamus-group", we would probably all be burned down instantly by some fanatic(s). Fortunately, the virus is now on vacation too. OK. Let's go back to hell.
While still working in the press tent in the early afternoon, heavy rain started, and the tent got overcrowded. Well, everyone was searching for a roof over his/her head, and we here mostly have long hair and like to take care of it. ;) So we kept looking to the sky in some divinely optimistic way. Yet, nothing. About 7 p.m., the optimism finally died, and we (the Terra Relicta team) headed to the camp despite the heavy rain to prepare ourselves for the Amorphis interview, set for 20.30. As we arrived, we received an email from Amorphis' manager that it got cancelled due to Amorphis running late. You can still expect it - a little later, though, since it's now set via Skype next week.
The main stage was our only interest for the day, starting with Within Temptation at 21.15, followed by Amorphis at 23.25 and finishing with Lord Of The Lost, set for 1 a.m. Now, a logistic was needed - yeah, we gained some extra time, but rooting through the mud while watching every step not to be buried in it, takes its time also.
We were much looking forward to Within Temptation, and not in vain. An hour and a half lasting performance - while raining all the time - served nicely 17 tracks (it should have been 18 of them, but the latest one, "Don't Pray For Me", was left out due to some technical issues). Sharon was ultra-interactive, also sharing some upbringing tips. And her outstanding voice didn't let her down. The whole performance was, saying in one word, perfect, almost as if listening to the record, with the addition of visuals and energy. The highlights: "The Purge", "Raise Your Banner", "Angels", "Our Solemn Hour", "Supernova", and for the finale, an old hit, "Mother Earth".
After another muddy exploit, we attended the Amorphis performance. It started with "Dead Of A King" and finished with "House Of Sleep". "Amongst Stars", although with ex-The Gathering vocalist Anneke van Giersbergen singing via playback, was one of the salients, "Silver Bride", "My Kantele", the extra-dynamic "The Bee", and, of course, "House Of Sleep", were the rest. We enjoyed every single one. Well done again, Amorphis!
Yet not time for the "house of sleep", aka. tent, but rather to eat something and get another glass poured with beer. Then, Lord Of The Lost. We missed the first three songs due to, guess what, mud. Besides (lots of) nylon in front of the stage, another artificial material appeared - latex - this one on the stage. Though Lord Of The Lost sure knows how to make a show. Of all performances we saw at this festival, this one engaged the audience the most. Chris Harms was constantly cycling and jumping on and off the stage, and Gared Dirge made a spectacle out of playing the keyboards. No wonder Iron Maiden chose Lord Of The Lost for its European tourmate.
And then it was time for the "house of sleep". The rain was slowly backing off, though no stars appeared in the sky. Well, there were plenty of stars on the main stage already. Stay tuned for one more report! Perhaps not just tomorrow...
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