Live Review : Sweden Rock Festival on June 9th 2023

The third day arrives with a sigh of relief as a breeze graces us with its presence. It's a welcome breeze, although it does play havoc with the sound at times. Nonetheless, to be fair, it’s been noticeable that all the stages boast excellent sound. We snag an interview with the incredible hardcore legends Raised Fist before making our way past H.E.A.T. to catch Vended on the Blåkläder Stage. Griffin Taylor’s vocals undeniably bear a striking resemblance to his old man's, not just in style but also in phrasing and vocal melodies. Still, he and the band are carving out their own path and making a name for themselves, not just riding on the coattails of their family ties. They exude vibes reminiscent of System of a Down, early Slipknot, and Sepultura, with a touch of Mudvayne in there too, both musically as well as with the face paint that adorns their faces.

Next up we watch another of Johann’s favourites, TNT. They encounter a minor setback when they lose the lead guitar sound during the first song, but they manage to retrieve it and soldier on. It's mostly vocals and guitar in the mix, with the bass and drums fading into the background, but as a band they perform their engaging catalogue with aplomb. I do get a hint of Judas Priest when listening to them. Even with the two backing singers stepping in to offer support with the higher notes, it’s Johann lending his voice to the mix which provides the most entertainment and amusement.

Disappointingly, there’s no rowing dancing to be found during their performance of ‘Seven Seas’ at this festival - I thought it'd be a no-brainer, especially at a Swedish festival! Also, pear cider reigns supreme with no sign of apple or other fruity flavours in sight, which is the only real complaint of the bars. Apart from the Pistonhead lager, wine seems to be a big favourite amongst a variety of the crowd. For anyone visiting it’s worth noting that due to licensing laws the VIP bar is the only place you can get spirits, and you can’t bring drinks out into the crowd from the VIP area either. Elsewhere, there are strongman tests, arm wrestling, motorbikes, and electric cruiser bikes all adding an extra layer of fun and coolness to the mix.

Meanwhile, on the Festival Stage Rancid unleash their gruff punk vocals to ignite the crowd. As always there's that touch of Alexisonfire, Gallows and obviously Transplants vibes permeating the air. Raised Fist deliver a killer performance, blending heavy Stick To Your Guns elements with the spirit of Rise Against. It's more of a hard rock and metal hardcore fusion, rather than a Pennywise-style hardcore sound. The songs breathe and groove, leaving space for each element to shine instead of simply bulldozing through. The higher shouty vocals strike a familiar chord, with thoughts of Knocked Loose and Beartooth vibes.

Blue Oyster Cult, on the other hand, feel very old and lacking in much interest unfortunately, so we make our way across the site.

Instead of watching Iron Maiden, we make the bold decision to catch Florence Black. They are like a Welsh Alter Bridge on steroids, injecting a ferocious energy into their performance. They draw comparisons to Black Stone Cherry by many, but personally I find them more enjoyable and like the fast-paced Raging Speedhorn songs, except with soulful singing. The bass weaves intricate patterns while the guitar unleashes great riffs. The drums are full of vigour, hitting as hard as the rock they're pumping out, and there's a touch of Zak Wylde's solo style in there. There’s only three of them, but they put on a show that could fill any size stage. Both the drummer and the guitarists lend their voices to the mix, but importantly they possess that dirty, gritty element while keeping things groovy and danceable, like Clutch do so well. Surprisingly, the crowd turnout is great, even considering they're up against Maiden. In fact, it seems to grow as their set progresses…with word on the street that Iron Maiden aren’t putting on the best show, past their prime, delivering a performance that is somewhat painful to witness. Their words not mine.

On the other hand, Behemoth deliver an utterly mesmerizing, theatrically charged spectacle. Hidden behind a sheet to start the set, the Polish extreme metallers emerge with raging guitars setting the stage ablaze. There are shades of Gojira in their sound, but with that distinctive signature blackened death metal vibe. It's equally a visually stunning show, complete with platforms and an array of props. They’re growly and groovy, and leave a lasting impression.

Finally, we see Threshold take the Blacklader Stage. It's very much traditional prog, almost reminiscent of Marillion, and the keys take the spotlight, strikingly loud, while smooth and crooner-like vocals glide over the music. Unfortunately, the guitar is buried too low in the mix for us to fully enjoy them, and we make our way to the VIP area for a nightcap.

Check the “In The Flesh” page for more photos!
Threshold, Behemoth, Florence Black, Raised Fist, TNT, Vended