Epic Fest 2024 – pt. 2/2 (Bloodbound + Orden Ogan)

Resurrection, ascension, redemption

It's almost funny: Anyone who remembers my coverage from 2023 might recall that the second day started, perhaps not surprisingly, with a Hell of a hangover. Well, this time it's different. And not in a good way. This time, we're starting out with full-blown migraine.

And no, this is not just a hangover again. I have more than 27 years of experience with hangovers; this is a way different monster. We're talking crippling pain – it feels like my brain is being carved to pieces from the inside by rusty forks dipped in acid. We're talking crippling to the point of only being able to move to the bathroom in what feels like level 'emergency', and otherwise lie down halfway curled up in a fetal position and sleep until I'm unable to sleep anymore. Can't get painkillers; can't get food.

If this were a hangover, it woulda dissipated after a coupla hours. This time, after around 7.5 hours, the pain merely descends to level 'somewhat tolerable'. And as a minimum by then, having long contemplated missing out on the entire second evening altogether, I've abandoned any hope of seeing Twilight Force even though they were the ones I've been looking forward to the most.

In fact, why is a main name playing at fucking 6 pm??

Anyway, at 7:30 pm, I'm finally able to leave my hostel. And I'm glad I did.

Just to expand upon the above question, why is it that Twilight Force's Swedish countrymen in Bloodbound are playing at 9:00 pm? Why not have it the other way around, what with Twilight Force having so much more hype and all?

Actually, as it turns out, Bloodbound have been around for almost 20 years, releasing a steady stream of 10 LPs throughout. And what I like about them compared to yesterday's bands is that they're a bit closer to straight-up heavy metal.

Their main challenge tonight, though, lies in the, for whatever reason, impeded faculty of horned vocalist Patrik Johansson, sometimes having to sing an octave lower, sometimes skipping words and lines entirely. Damn Swedes, probably got drunk last ni… Oh, wait. I don't judge.

Also, I can kinda disregard the issue since I don't have any expectations, not knowing the band apart from what I've researched on Metal Archives lately. But like I said, their musical expression is closer to the core of heavy metal itself, and as such, they're a breath of fresh air.

And, most importantly, their songs are tight. Some catchier than others, of course, with especially "The Warlock's Trail" and "Moria" showing a surprisingly high potential for staying power. Also "Drink With the Gods" is a fun feature, with Twilight Force members coming onstage before the song and serving beer to their colleagues.

In the less important end, "Behind the Moon" appears like a less elegant version of its much older second cousin "Fear of the Dark". And a song like "In the Name of Metal"... Well. We've all kinda heard those by now.

I might have given a higher rating if the vocals had been fully up to par and if I'd known the songs in advance. As for the latter part, though, familiarizing myself with 10 fucking albums from just ONE other power metal group when I'm not even up to speed with the back catalogs of fucking Foreigner and Kansas..? Not happening.

That said, if a bunch of rabid fans kidnapped me for a listening session, I wouldn't mind giving Bloodbound another spin or two.

Rating: 4 out of 6

Much like Bloodbound, Orden Ogan's music leans more towards heavy metal than power metal, with hard, thundering riffs being prevalent, and the biggest power metal element consisting in especially the chorus melodies. And like with Bloodbound, it's a case of welcome variety.

But in the case of Orden Ogan, it's more than that. There's a reason why their name takes up the most space on this year's festival poster; they've gotten bigger because they're simply a better band. They score higher on most parameters of quality by far, with the sound, for example, being much clearer and more balanced than with any other outfit on this bill. And, not the least, with the group's technical proficiency, drummer Dirk Meyer-Berhorn delivering machine-tight fills, and guitarists Patrick Sperling and Niels Löffler shredding, tapping, and solo-chasing with all the skill of someone who's studied Malmsteen and Van Halen for decades.

But of course, as is the case with all great bands, the songs are what makes Orden Ogan the powerhouse they are. I still can't shake that chorus in "F.E.V.E.R.". And even though "We Are Pirates" does a bit more than its fair share of borrowing from this one little song called "Riding the Storm", it just fucking works in a live situation, and it naturally hits home with a metal pirate like this signature.

As do "Inferno" mid-set and tonight's closer "The Things We Believe In", their audience interaction being perfectly placed and meticulously instructed by vocalist Sebastian "Seeb" Levermann. Even though vocally, he might not be a Tobias Sammett or Hansi Kürsch, and even though he doesn't carry himself with the same headstrong demeanor of, say, a Phil Anselmo, his grand, zealous baritone is still part of what makes this the show of the year.

Because, unlike certain other groups at this festival, you can take Orden Ogan seriously. Their songs hit the perfect synergy between the hard-hitting metal attack of the Judas Priests of this world, and the majestic splendor of Iron Maiden's most grandiose moments. Fill up with backing vocals to the brim and serve on a crisp layer of keyboards, and voilá: You've got a great power metal band.

And it's a funny thing how the half-time lurch of "Gunman", of all songs, has become exactly Orden Ogan's most grandiose moment. But here we are. And even those few audience members who seemed to be unfamiliar with the group are quickly learning both this and all their other choruses. When that happens, you know you're seeing a good show.

In fact, and to reiterate: Best show this year.

Rating: 5 out of 6

Closing the thematic detour I've started in these last two reviews: I don't mean to dwell on any negative aspects. But in all fairness, I am a goddamn music journalist. And something that started to tire me during the Beast In Black show this year was that I felt I was being bukkake'd with deliberate stylizations and speculations in the genre's most shamelessly cheesy elements.

I know I said yesterday that I'm also here for all those extra-curricular elements that are part of making this subgenre so colorful and fun. But contrary to how most fans might feel, what makes power metal so wonderful in my opinion is that it's NOT all fun and games, but that it's serious, honest songwriting with a strong melodic flair, escapistic vision, and flamboyant atmosphere.

In other words, power metal shouldn't be all extra cheese sprinkled with heavy metal; it should be the opposite. And it seems we've reached a point where bands are starting to construct themselves around a fantasy-themed concept primarily and write songs secondarily.

If you do that, your band might be fun. But you're not really a band rather than a concept. Like Babymetal. And that's not honest or passionate. It's not inspired, it's not aspirational, and it's not admirable. It's calculated speculation in a mode of expression that should be driven by honesty, passion, and inspiration first and foremost. Those qualities are the reason that we have genuinely legendary power metal groups like Blind Guardian and Rhapsody (of Fire) – and that both triumphed at this very festival last year.

Anyway. Like I also said yesterday, it IS a pleasure to be part of this scene. More so than in any other subgenre of metal – and I mean any and every other – the power metal crowd is the most friendly and cheerful crowd you'll find. Also, I have to mention all the extra banners and decorations we've gotten. It's stuff like this...:

And as I've understood it, it also seems like those logistic problems I mentioned yesterday are gonna get solved next year. Plus, definitely not least, Epic Fest 2025 will be held in April again. And on the bill, amongst others, are Finnish legends Stratovarius, overlooked Danish outfit Royal Hunt, and former Manowar guitarist Ross the Boss playing the entire "Sign of the Hammer" album plus his old group's greatest hits.

I mean, I'm gonna be seeing Manowar doing the exact same thing in Kiel, but, y'know... You got me. I'm in. (As long as y'all don't make the mistake of considering Manowar a power metal band. They're just fucking heavy metal.)

See you next year.

Overall rating: 5 out of 6

Genre: Power metal, heavy metal
Dates: January 12th and 13th, 2024
Location: Gimle + Roskilde Centre of Congress and Gymnastics, Denmark
FB: https://www.facebook.com/epicfestdk
IG: https://www.instagram.com/epicfestdk