Firstlight Productions Presents
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Issue No .02
Malta Doom Metal Fest
The hour of Doom
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Transport: Nearest public transport stage to Chateau Buskett (*venue) is called Ta’ Xuxa ilBuskett. Example journey from St George’s Bay, St Julian’s to venue takes around 2.00hrs, one has to catch bus 14 and bus 56. One Day Ticket @ €1.50 | 7 Day Ticket @ €15 (Ticket can be purchased from Vending Machines or from the Driver) Note: Last bus from Buskett is at 21.26 More info from the public transport website itself on journey planner section www.publictransport.com.mt One can buy the ‘tallinja card’ for 7 days unlimited travel. Private Transport: Transportation TO and FROM Festival Transport from near Beach Garden Hotel and back to general public :Fri - 6.00pm and return at 1.45am from venue to hotels Sat - 12.30am and return at 1.30am from venue to hotels Mini Bus > One Way From St George’s to venue Price €4 Mini Bus > Both Ways From St George’s to venue and after from venue to any destination Price €5 Travelling by Taxi (Always mention Malta Doom Metal Festival to obtain these special prices) Gejxa Garage:- www.gejxagaragemalta.com: Tel:- (+356) 21486395 (+356) 99499468 2
Airport transfers:- Up to 2 persons round trip: €35 and 10 persons round trip: €65 Festival transfers:- Up to 2 person per trip €20, and for more than 2 persons ask price when booking. Mycab:- email - mycabmalta@gmail.com : www.facebook.com/mycabmalta/ Tel:- (+356) 99969222 Airport transfers:- €20 for up to 4 persons/ per cab Festival transfers:- Approx between €20 & €25. Ask when booking Electricity: The electrical supply is 230 volts +/- 10%, 50 hertz. The three-pin rectangular plug system is used, as in Britain. Adapters are very easy to find. Language: The official languages of Malta are Maltese and English. Maltese, a language of Semitic origin written in the Latin script. Over the centuries, it has incorporated many words deriving from English, Italian and French languages. Italian is also widely spoken. Driving: Important to note that in Malta and Gozo, driving is on the left, like UK. If you intend to rent a car or drive in Malta, it is advisable to take out comprehensive insurance. National or international driving licences are accepted. Currency: Malta currency is Euro (€), since Malta is part of the European Union. * Venue is Chateau Buskett
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• Malta Doom
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Established in 2009, the Malta Doom Metal festival (MDM) is the nefarious spawn of Malta’s seasoned doom metal monger Albert Bell (Forsaken, Nomad Son, Sacro Sanctus). The festival has grown from strength to strength since its first edition (headlined by Italian legends Dark Quarterer) and is now a regular, annual appointment for doom and old school metal acolytes from Malta and beyond. Assisted by his comrades-in-arms - James Gauci, Glen Gauci, Simeon Gatt (Forsaken & Dawn of Anguish), Noel Mifsud, Matthew Camilleri, Claire Borg and Robert Azzopardi – Albert is committed to ensure that no stone is left unturned in the process of bringing you the very best that the doom and old school metal scenes have to offer as all previous MDM editions may attest. And this year’s behemoth edition is no exception, with a mammoth, mouth-watering line-up to die for! From the molten godly epic doom of MONASTERIUM (Poland), DESOLATE PATHWAY (UK), and TRINAKRIUS (Italy), to the primal Hellhammer worshippers WARHAMMER (Germany), the ritualistic sludge attack of BARABBAS (France), on to the arcane, majestic doom of Canada’s CAUCHEMAR, the savage black-thrash onslaught of trailblazers BUNKER 66 (Italy) and the doom laden grooves of Sweden’s MORTALICUM, this year’s MDM is indeed a must for all those initiated in the purity of the path of olde. Further undisputable quality is added to this year’s killer edition with the pure cult prog-folk doom of NORTHWINDS (France), the seminal doomdeath Dutch gods PHLEBOTOMIZED and Brazilian legends MYTHOLOGICAL COLD TOWERS! We shall be further entertained by MEN OF MAYHEM’s sizzling stoner doom and the MALTA DIO’s DISCIPLES’ most apt tribute to the master RJD. Could this already blistering line-up of poser-decapitating bands have been topped you might ask? Yes, it could, with this year’s headliners – doom gods PLACE OF SKULLS and old school death metal elite vanguards MASTER - adding even more immensity to this year’s colossal line-up. One of Malta’s leading metal DJs – DJ Toty – will be spinning an old school metal set while the proceedings on stage unfold. Let the headbanging and true metal worship commence! MDM is here! NB: Make sure that you get your festival merch (for which we are once more making use of the great and manifold talents of Alexia Baldacchino from Loudpix) as early as possible, as everything will sell like hotcakes!
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Fronted by death metal legend Paul Speckmann, for fans of heavy, faceripping music, MASTER are mandatory. Along with Possessed, Death, Necophagia, Morbid Angel and Obituary, MASTER are considered to be the originators of death metal. Formed back in 1985 in Chicago (USA), with 13 albums to date and counting, several EPs/singles, demos, etc., MASTER’s impact on death metal and extreme metal in general is indisputable, with households names in the genre worldwide from Napalm Death, to Righteous Pigs, Repulsion, Benediction, Carcass, and Nihilist/Entombed all crediting MASTER as a resounding influence on their own take on extreme metal. The consistency and integrity evident in MASTER’s discography is indeed second to none and more recent albums including 2013’s “The Witchunt” and this year’s new masterpiece “An Epiphany of Hate” capture MASTER at their uncompromising and unbridled best, while continuing to define the template for death and extreme metal. MASTER’s live show remains as visceral and primal as it can get, and we are more than confident that Paul Speckmann (bass/vocals) and his comrades-in-arms will unleash a live set at MDM that will redefine your experience of going to a gig. MDM has made it its mission to bring you the very best of all that is old school…believe!
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Guitarist/singer/songwriter Victor Griffin’s contribution to doom metal is indeed legendary. From forging a heavy guitar tone that is one of the hallmarks of doom’s idiom to his seminal contributions to genre leaders Death Row and Pentagram, Griffin is a doom metal hero of immense proportions. His output with PLACE OF SKULLS (including five albums of doom metal perfection and the great “Love through Blood EP) has continued to underscore the greatness of his stature in doom metal circles. Formed in early 2000 by Griffin, bassist Lee Abney, & drummer Tim Tomaselli, PLACE OF SKULLS (a biblical reference to Golgotha) carries the torch of prior Griffin & Abney bands such as Death Row and Pentagram in the ever-burgeoning scene of doom metal. But their sound continues to expand those boundaries, incorporating intricate dynamics that few bands of the same genre explore…both musically and lyrically. Place of Skulls opens the door of accessibility to a whole other cross section of heavy rock fans with a sound as crushing live as any and no less threatening in volume. Are you ready to be blown away?!!! Heavy doom metal bliss awaits!!
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It cannot get more cult than Paris’ NORTHWINDS when talking about French doom metal. Formed in the early 90s (first under the band’s original moniker R.I.P and from the mid-90s onwards as NORTHWINDS), this seminal French outfit has released a spate of now legendary albums on Italy’s revered label Black Widow Records. These include 1998’s mystical “Great God Pan”, the 2001 gem “Masters of Magic”, 2005’s trailblazing “Chimeres” and the more recent “Winter” (2012) and “Eternal Winter” (2015). NORTHWINDS combine early Sabbath worship with NWOBHM (think Witchfinder General, Pagan Altar, etc.) and 70s French progfolk rock (Ange, Alan Stivell, etc.) to perfection, while evoking magical soundscapes of myth and ancient alchemy. Those among you who are yet uninitiated in NORTHWINDS’ mystical doom metal and enjoy their doom untainted by current trends and fads will love this band.
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Formed during 1981 by childhood friends and twin guitarists Robin Brancher and Keith Sharp, Desolation Angels bring all that is great about the NWOBHM movement. After releasing a demo in the doom same year and Formed in 1989, legendary Dutch avant-garde death amasters single in PHLEBOTOMIZED 1984, they released the highly acclaimed full-length album released two seminal albums that took the same Theincluding band relocated to Los Angeles, released and twoname EPs as inthe theband. 1990s, 1994’s behemoth California in 1987-88. They eventually returned to England in the early “Immense Intense Suspense”, which possesses hallowed status ‘90s before splitting up in May, 1994. In 1991, they release their second amongst album connoisseurs of theStill genre full-length While The Flame Burns.for its groundbreaking
progressive
intricacies
and
atmospheric
interludes,
demonstrating strong popular sensibility to after melody, heavy riffage Reformed in 2012, through demand the release of their 4CD box-set Feels Likesong Thunder, they have played festival across Europe and complex structures alike. With Ben gigs de Graaff from in support of Demon andvocal Diamond HeadPHLEBOTOMIZED resulting in bookings for more Façade now handling duties, reformed European adventures, this Magic’ festival in recently after a longincluding: hiatus and areyear’s eager‘Metal to bring their unique Denmark and also ‘The Malta Doom Metal’ festival! brand of abstract doom death to MDM! Massively influential
and worshipped by the true and to death metalheads, this At present the band have been intodoom the studio lay down five new tracks band is the realwas deal!! MDM indeed honoured to bealong hosting for a demo which released as aisdigital download this year, with band. asuch videoatotrailblazing, coincide withseminal the release.
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With 5 colossal full lengths to date, Brazil’s mammoth metal institution MYTHOLOGICAL COLD TOWERS were formed in 1994 and remain one of South America’s most revered doom metal bands. Hailing from Sao Paolo, this historical band combine a mix of doom, death, black and epic metal to masterful and eerie atmospheric effect. Their 2011 “Immemorial” album (released on Germany’s Cyclone Empire Records) firmly established itself as one of the most important reference points for purveyors of the genre; with 2015’s “Monvmenta Antiqva” providing equally enthralling ambrosia for fans of atmospheric doom with uncompromising heaviness and integrity. After King Heavy (Chile) last year, Peruvian legends Reino Ermitano in 2014 and now MCT this year, MDM is fast proving to be the favourite haunting A for South American doom metal bands and beyond! Such is the esteem that MDM holds beyond Malta’s shores! 6
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WARHAMMER was formed in 1994 with the goal to continue the legacy of Swiss cult band Hellhammer though original numbers inspired by the Swiss masters. Thus, Hellhammer’s ultra-heavy, simplistic sound, combined with lyrics about the end of mankind and religious madness, was transported by WARHAMMER into the 1990s. Metalheads worldwide embraced the idea and their debut demo (released on tape only) sold over 600 copies, while the band’s debut album “The Winter of our Discontent” hit Germany’s Rock Hard mag Top 10 album poll. WARHAMMER are a seasoned live band with tours in Brazil and Europe and appeared at various festivals such as Keep It True, Wacken and With Full Force. Still going strong and preparing their sixth full length-album, WARHAMMER is not only a must for devout Hellhammer followers, but also for all metal maniacs who worship glorious 80s extreme metal. 7
• Malta Doom
With two full length albums behind them, including the widely acclaimed “Messe Pour un Chien” (2014), “redemption through headbanging” has been BARABBAS’ creed since their formation in 2007. Inspired by what they call the “very holy trinity of doom” – namely, Black Sabbath, Saint Vitus and Cathedral, these French stoner doom maniacs have gigged extensively in their home-land with the likes of Wounded Kings, Windhand, Pilgrim and Isole. They also teamed up with the mighty Goatess in November 2014 for their “Dark November” French tour. We can expect no quarter from this band’s infectious, doom ‘n’ roll attack at MDM VIII. It is time to be born again! 8
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Montreal, Canada’s true doom purists CAUCHEMAR are fast establishing themselves as one of the genre’s foremost female fronted bands, with the growing demand for the band seeing them play numerous shows in Europe, South America, North America and India. Formed in 2007, and intended for those who have been long initiated in the path of olde, the mystical Annick Giroux and her brothers-in-arms will enchant you with their rites of ancient doomsoaked metal that sips from the chalice of obscure Sabbathian doom. The band’s back catalogue includes the “La Vierge Noire” EP (2010) and the “Tenebrario” LP released on the lauded Nuclear War Now! Productions in 2013. A second LP, “Chapelle Ardente” is expected this year, and will surely be premiered at MDM!
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Hailing from Messina, Italy, and dating back to 200, the Fenriz-approved BUNKER 66 purvey old school black thrash metal, forged by a cauldron of hallowed influences, including, Celtic Frost, Venom, Bathory and Motorhead. Some punk stuff like Discharge and Poison Idea is also thrown in the fray, creating a concoction of savage rifferama that is the perfect antidote for the poser infection pervading today’s metal scene. BUNKER66 already have two head-crushing full-length releases (both on Germany’s High Roller Records) under their belts - “Infernö Interceptörs” (2012) and Screaming Rock Believers (2014), plus two EPs and a split release. Such is the revered stature of the band that the guys flew to Oslo in 2012 to play at the 1st edition of the Bunker festival - named after the band itself, where they shared the stage with Carpathian Forest and many others. Heads shall roll! BUNKER 66 are here! Founded and fronted by none other than former Pagan Altar axe-man Vince Hempstead in 2014, London based epic doom stalwarts DESOLATE PATHWAY are one of the most exciting prospects in the UK doom scene at present with their debut album “Valley of the Kings” from 2014 (imbued with references to Candlemass, Solitude Aeternus and Sorcerer) applauded by critics and fans alike. A second album is expected later this year and we can be sure to expect some more refined, epic yet heavy doom metal tunes from a band that has long been monitored at the very top echelons of MDM’s HQ! 9
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Founded a decade ago by bassist and main man Patrick Backlund, Sweden’s MORTALICUM blend doom, heavy metal and hard rock with skill, commitment and passion as evidenced by the band’s several live shows (including a very memorable gig at MDM 2012) and ever since their 2010 debut album, “Progress of Doom”. Now with 4 albums under their belts (all released by Italy’s seminal Metal on Metal Records), their latest effort, “Eyes of the Demon”, captures the band at their unbridled best. MORTALICUM is not another trendy retro 70s band. For these guys, it’s not the image but only the music that matters, and when you hear it, it’s very clear it’s coming straight from their hearts. Get ready for some really heavy and catchy doom metal made in the best Swedish tradition! Formed in 1995 and purveying a power doom metal approach to their heaviness, Palermo’s TRINAKRIUS’ pedigree both on stage and in the studio is second to none. With a rich discography including 2005’s incredible full-length debut “Sancta Inquisitio” and last year’s great release “Introspectum”, plus a live show that highlights the manifold talent of Claudio Florio (drums) and co, you can all expect a blinder from Palermo’s finest. Moreover, with Francesco Chiazzese (ex-Lothus) now back in the band handling vocal duties, the expectations are even higher! 10
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Featuring members of Evangelist and other Polish bands, epic doom band MONASTERIUM are Poland’s hottest new property. Now signed to the enterprising No Remorse Records, the band have just unleashed their self-titled debut album to very strong acclaim. Fans of Candlemass, Solitude Aeternus, Forsaken, Crypt Sermon rejoice....MONASTERIUM wield a heavy doom metal of the highest order that evokes tales of chivalry, misery and redemption strewn over the most epic of soundscapes! Not to be missed! The MALTA DIO DISCIPLES bring together some of the local heavy metal scene’s foremost musicians and singers, all paying tribute to the legend and lasting memory of Ronnie James Dio. Expect all the classics from Dio’s solo repertoire and his Rainbow and Sabbath discography in the Disciples’ set for MDM - a fitting end to round off our two-day doom and metal bonanza this October! Time and time again, MDM has brought exciting new prospects to the attention of the MDM faithful. To this end, we bring you the Turin-based, stoner doomheads MEN OF MAYHEM. Featuring members of the godly Firelord in their ranks (who graced MDM’s hallowed stage some years back), this mayhemic quartet have just released their debut album “Inner Freedom” to attention of the unsuspecting masses, combining molten heavy rock, stoner and doom to maximum effect! Check them out at MDM! 11
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24hr Airport Transfers The official airport and festival cab transfer book early to avoid disappointment.
CALL US ON
+356 9996 9222 email: mycabmalta@gmail.com
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RUNNING ORDER Friday 21 st October, 2016 1. Monasterium 2. Barabbas 3. Mortalicum 4. Bunker 66 5. Place of Skulls
20.00-20.45 21.00-21.45 22.00-22.45 23.00-23.45 00.00-01.15
Saturday 22 nd October, 2016 1. Men of Mayhem 2. Desolate Pathway 3. Trinakrius 4. Cauchemar 5. Mythological Cold Towers 6. Warhammer 7. Phlebotomized 8. Northwinds 9. Master 10. Malta Dio Disciples
14.30-15.15 15.30-16.15 16.30-17.15 17.30-18.15 18.30-19.15 19.30-20.15 20.30-21.15 21.30-22.15 22.45-00.00 00.15-01.00
YOUR IDEAL VENUE
VISIT US AT CHATEAU BUSKETT 00356 99442321 / 00356 21454233 chateaubuskett@gmail.com