On the first weekend of April, a dark cloud will shroud Scotland. Some of the finest, most powerful metal bands of today will venture to Edinburgh for Heavy Scotland, which can lay claim to having one of the best festival line ups of the year.
With an exclusive performance from blackened death metal legends, Behemoth, the thrash ‘n’ roll of Havok, and the symphonic majesty of Fleshgod Apocalypse, there is something for everyone regardless of what branch of metal is your thing.
To help you prepare for the event, which takes place on April 1st and 2nd at the Corn Exchange, Edinburgh, we have put together a playlist of the bands taking part. We have also highlighted a handful of the most unmissable acts appearing at Heavy Scotland.
Behemoth
This one really goes without saying. While there is still some debate as to the origins of the genre, Behemoth revolutionised blackened death metal, creating a sound so caustic, so terrifying, yet utterly intoxicating. As their notoriety and influence has grown, Behemoth have become an institution. With any luck, this exclusive performance will signal the long awaited follow up to their ground-breaking album, ‘The Satanist’. Not to be missed.
Arch Enemy
Swedish melodic death metal band, Arch Enemy, have been doing this for twenty years now, and are still on top of their game. With Alissa White-Gluz full at the helm and fully settled into the role after the release of ‘War Eternal’ in 2014, it has given the band a new lease of life. The band appear rejuvenated, and harnessed the same ferocity of their earlier work for a new generation. A new record is slated to appear this year, and their headline slot will prove their relevance.
Fleshgod Apocalypse
Bringing a symphonic element to their technical death metal, Italy’s Fleshgod Apocalypse are yet another band to expand the guidelines of metal even further. Each record finds them venturing into pasture’s new, and their 2016 album, ‘King’ was stunning display of accomplished musicianship. Expect Fleshgod Apocalypse to bring a certain majestic quality to the aggression of the weekend.
Grave
For thirty years – give or take a brief hiatus in the mid-nineties, Grave have been considered one of the most important Swedish death metal bands. Their first two albums, ‘Into The Grave’ and ‘You’ll Never See…’, were ahead of their time. Along with Dismember, Entombed and more, Grave helped cement the trademark sound of Swedish death metal. Pay homage to the gods or regret it forever.
Havok
While thrash metal seems to come in waves on a larger scale, the genre is probably the most unsullied and pure. It never really does, and doesn’t need a revival; especially when bands like Havok are keeping the torch lit in the vein of classic crossover thrash. The Denver-based band just released their new album, ‘Conformicide’, Heavy Scotland is the perfect place for Havok to road test their new material.
Heavy Scotland takes place on April 1st and 2nd at The Corn Exchange, Edinburgh. Tickets and all other relevant information can be found at the official website.