Live Review : Sweden Rock Festival on June 8th 2023

The second day kicks off with a jolt, courtesy of Self Deception. Flashbangs explode, flames dance, and a cloud of red and white smoke engulfs the stage. Electric Callboy and Ice Nine Kills vibes fill the air, and glitter balls twinkle above the stage. The bass player, clad in pink dungarees and a woolly bucket hat, goes wild, bouncing around with infectious energy. GG6 (previously of Amaranthe) graces us with guest vocals on ‘Elysium’, and the crowd loses their minds to the brilliant ‘Psycho’.

We spend a great deal of this day doing interviews with various bands including, the openers Self Deception, Karmanjakah, The Overthrone and Sanctrum. When we do get back out into the arena we notice the lack of queues at any of the bars. It’s not because people aren’t drinking, as there are plenty of merry souls roaming the grounds, but the festival is simply well stocked, staffed and organised. The clothes/hats/patches stalls are all found outside the arena (save for the official merch tents) which allows there to be plenty of food and drink stalls instead. Once again, no queues. And most importantly the toilets maintain an almost perfect state throughout – they’re vacuum flush (like airplane ones) and, as you guessed, have virtually no queues ever. Add to this the friendly folk abound, and you’ve got an easy to exist in festival with a welcoming atmosphere all around.

Back to the music though, and Karmanjakah delivers a change of pace from the rest of the bill. Think Tesseract and Artificial Language collide with Uneven Structure, weaving post-hardcore feelings with technical prowess. Delicious syncopation permeates their sound, accompanied by jazzy drumming that adds a touch of allure. Don’t forget to catch them at Tech Fest!

Meanwhile, Kamelot, the masters of original-style power metal, stay true to form. They put on a polished performance, embracing a modern gothic look. Shiny and professional, they navigate the stage with expertise.

Gojira, always top-notch, take to the stage with a commanding presence. We stumble upon our newfound Swedish friend Chris by chance, sharing the exhilaration. They keep it simple, yet deceptively technical, unleashing a wall of sound that engulfs us all. Their live performances are always musically impactful, and they add to this by igniting the stage with flames, silver ribbons, and a cascade of white confetti.

Over on the Sweden Stage we see Tunisian band Myrath. They have the complete visual package, with flamboyant dancers and fire performers gracing the stage. It all feels reminiscent of Iron Maiden with a touch of Disney magic sprinkled on top. The songs are catchy and anthemic, transporting us to a world where heroes save the day.

The Overthrone channel the spirit of Harbinger and The Black Dahlia Murder. Frontman Gustav Holmberg descends into the crowd, getting up close and personal with the masses. A sizable crowd gathers, showing them the love they deserve. Harsh vocals reign supreme, and when called upon, superb guitarist William Forslund delivers clean melodies. There's a hint of Bury Tomorrow, but with a heavier edge, and Gojira influences creep in intertwined with singable sections. There’s also a very Fit For an Autopsy vibe for sure, which is shared by Sanctrum.

They storm the stage with their brutal offering of thrash, melodic thrash to be exact. Irfan Cancar prowls the front barrier, exuding an aura reminiscent of Pantera in their heyday. Tight and precise, they deliver a blistering set that reverberates with Lorna Shore and Chelsea Grin vibes.

Finally, we catch Johann’s favourites – Europe. They are simply being the best version of themselves, taking the Rock Stage by storm. Grandiose and powerful, the area in front of the stage swells with an eager crowd. They deliver timeless hits, complete with soaring vocals and blistering solos filling the air, leaving no doubt as to their enduring ability and appeal.

Check the “In The Flesh” page for more photos!
Europe, Sanctrum, The Overthrone, Myrath, Gojira, Kamelot, Karmanjakah, Self Deception