Festival review – UK Tech-Metal Festival, 30th June – 4th July 2022

It’s early morning on the 30th of June which can only mean one thing, it’s time for me to make the 176 mile pilgrimage to UK Tech-Fest, which is probably my most anticipated festival of the year. After what was a boring 4 hours of motorways it was time to finally see some metal.

Thursday

First up, Ballius. who opened the festival for the first time since 2019, who played to what could be seen to be a fairly small crowd, as this is only the early bird day! halfway through their set, I turned around and the crowd had grown exponentially, and from that very moment I could tell that this festival was going to be awesome. Blight Town were up next giving us our first taste of main stage action and gracing our ears with their wonderful progressive post-hardcore sound with a five stringed bass that brought all of the vibes that the crowd needed.

Azazel (c) Kraken Photography

Next were instrumental 5 piece Lost in Lavender Town who brought an incredibly technical set with intricate bass lines and techy riffs that blew the crowd away, they were in my top ten for the festival and probably the most technical band of the weekend, extra points for the band name being a Pokémon reference. Dakesis brought an interesting mix of both progressive and symphonic metal which did not disappoint both myself and the crowd.

UK deathcore outfit Azazel who were clad in Hawaiian shirts really brought that much needed party energy. Next was Rosen Bridge, a djent fuelled metalcore outfit from north wales, that offers impressive vocals and some really techy riffs, I was recommended to watch these guys by a friend of mine, and they certainly did not disappoint. And it’s safe to say that I added their latest single “Watchers” featuring Jot Maxi of Hacktivist straight to my playlist.

Sertraline really surprised me, with their incredible mix of both clean vocals and gut wrenching lows as well as the huge energy that was brought to the stage by new vocalist Ben, and  a large amount of crowd participation, bringing the first circle pit of the fest. My last band of day one was one of my anticipated bands of the festival, after hearing so many awesome things about them, was Red Method however there were some immediate technical issues, as they were too loud, which completely distorted the clean vocals, however they delivered an impeccable set full of energy and crowd participation, I am very much looking forward to seeing these guys again at Bloodstock.

Sadly it was time for me to go and check into my Air BnB as I could only check in around 6pm. I was going to return for Drewsif, Artificial language and Exist immortal, but I fell asleep by 6:30 pm!

Friday

My first band of the day was probably one of the most interesting bands of the weekend. Pound a progressive two piece instrumental band that featured a guitarist and a drummer, who had a single kit that was built out of two, which I found incredibly interesting as it’s something I have never seen before. Up next was the incredible Grey Lotus who came out on stage to what I believe was the theme from American sitcom Seinfeld, which the crowd seemed to find funny. However this was quickly followed by brutal riffs, blast beats, and the occasional brutal pig squeal. From listening to their set I can safely say that their debut album (Dawnfall) is going to be amazing.

Seething Akira (c) Kraken Photography

Borders truly brought that party energy, with their Trap infused djent metalcore, vocalist Jordan definitely had the crowd in the palm of his hands, having what seems to be the best crowd participation of the festival so far. Featuring a slipknot style crowd jump, and loads of crowd surfing, I was really looking forward to their set and they certainly did not disappoint! Technical difficulties again! But for this time for Ten56 that led to a 30 minute wait before they came out on stage, however it was certainly worth the wait, bringing explosive energy and a boat load of participation from the crowd.

Next was a band that I’ve heard so much about but had never managed to see, Seething Akira who brought the party that they are known for, with both vocalists dominating both the stage and the barrier. The crowd certainly enjoyed their set. Next on the mainstage were grime infused djent legends Hacktivist who brought an incredible mix of both lows as well as rap that shouldn’t work as well as it does. They were also joined by Ten56 vocalist Aaron Matts for an incredible verse that incited a wall of death. It’s safe to say both myself and the crowd loved Hacktivist, and I’m 100% sure that this won’t be their last time at Tech-Fest.

Friday’s main support act was French metalcore giants Betraying the Martyrs, who I have been a fan of since my early teenage years and were on a my list of bucket list bands to photograph. I was immensely grateful for the opportunity to photograph them, but enough waffle – you’re here to read about Tech-Fest! They brought a highly energetic set full of participation from 100% of the crowd singing along to the most of the tracks (including me!).

Up next were headliners and melo-death legends Scar Symmetry who also suffered from technical difficulties, which lead to an impromptu guitar cover of “Sweet Child of Mine” by Guns n’ Roses. When they managed to start there were no vocals, this was quickly fixed and allowed them to start their set that was packed out with classics from throughout the years.

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Saturday

It’s day 3 of what has been a really enjoyable festival, and the line up is just as stacked as the Friday. My first band of the day was Where Oceans Burn who brought incredibly catchy riffs that somewhat reminded me of Polaris. Next was Krysthla, who I have seen a few times at this point, and they did not disappoint! Even though they were the second band on the main stage, they still pulled in a huge crowd. They even managed to get a crowd of eager metalheads to circle pit at 1:30pm!

Vulvodynia (c) Kraken Photography

The Five Hundred graced the stage with their bury tomorrow-esque metalcore fury, with extremely tech riffs, and moving about so much that I could barely focus the camera. Blind Summit really surprised me with superb clean vocals layered on top of techy riffs that somewhat reminded me of Meshuggah, I certainly recommend seeing these. TheCityIsOurs, a 5 piece metalcore band from London, brought a nice break between two extremely heavy bands. They still put on an awesome show, and have become much more heavy in recent years considering the older music that I had listened to on the internet.

Next were second stage headliners Vexed, who have amassed a large following over the last couple of years, and had recently supported Spirit Box on their last tour. They brought a wicked mix of techy djent and deathcore. I couldn’t think of a better mix myself, riffs and vocals that sent the crowd into overdrive with mosh pits a plenty. They couldn’t have found a better band to fill this spot!

Next up Was South African deathcore titans Vulvodynia, who were probably the heaviest band of the weekend. They brought technical yet slammy rffs and an energy that was unmatched by any band of the weekend. Starting off with the dirtiest gnarliest gutturals and pig squeals that just sent the crowd wild. After the first 3 songs I had to put the camera away, and join what seemed to be a highly enthusiastic crowd, featuring a mini mosh pit with Rob Sutton of Thrashatouille. This was most definitely my favourite band of the weekend. A mini shout out goes to the burger van, both myself Rob, and Klare loved the chicken fingers and halloumi fries!

Next were headliners The Ocean Collective, who I hadn’t actually heard of prior to the festival. I was pleasantly surprised by how atmospheric it was, really tough to shoot however it was worth it for the ambient effect that it created, with great proggy instrumental sections as well as a variation between vocals. 

Sunday

First up today, on what was sadly the last day at the festival, were Archaeon who brought “the infinity stones of metal”, (we love a marvel reference) a great mix of djent, prog, Metalcore as well as tech. They also brought their own custom retro game to the merch table, which the masses really seemed to enjoy. It was really great finally seeing these guys, so if you get the chance it’s definitely worth it.

A Titan, A Deity, these guys were first sent to me by Moshville veteran Ricky, and he asked me to cover them on my radio show on Moshville Radio (who doesn’t love some self promotion). I was seriously impressed by these guys both on stage and at the merch stall with the most ingenious merch design. Cups with the band name as well as a cup of tea, who’d have thought it. Next for me was OHHMS, a doom band from my neck of the woods in Kent. I’ve been a fan of these guys ever since I saw them a fair few years ago. They brought bushels of energy and what Gen Z’s call “phat riffs” (or normal people call “chunky sludgy riffs”) that seriously didn’t disappoint. They played their new track “The Mephisto Waltz” which has a more punky vibe rather than the usual  doomy vibe, and colour me impressed. I’m really digging the direction that they have taken the new music!

God is an Astronaut (c) Kraken Photography

Next for me was Martyr Defiled, featuring Gav Burton the guitarist from Borders who we saw the other day. From the techy riffs to the low gutturals these guys were impressive, they heavily reminded me of Thy Art Is Murder. Saying that I feel that they should be just as big too! Party slam masters Party Cannon are up next bringing all of the fun energy and beach balls that this festival needed. The crowd went wild especially with the push up pit, as well as pelting inflatables at each other. I really enjoyed their set and am looking forward to seeing them at Bloodstock!

It’s time for the second stage headliners Pupil Slicer. Correct me if I’m wrong from all the research that I’ve done this looks like it was their first ever festival appearance, and they killed it. With a set full of both energy and raw aggression, as well as avant garde/math core sounding riffs met with a mix of both powerful and aggressive and melodic clean vocals they did not disappoint. They’re certainly on my Bloodstock watch list! Next was main support Novelists. After being a fan for a fair few years, I was excited. Their set was full of techy riffs and melodic solos that would knock your socks off, as well as amazing use of LED lights including a sign of the band’s logo that changed colours throughout their set.

Now it was time to announce the winner of the guitar raffle, which took three separate draws until someone had won. The eventual winner looked most pleased! Then there was a giant “Tech-Fest group hug” which had the entire crowd hug a guy in a rainbow suit. This led to the final band of the weekend, God Is An Astronaut, a band that a friend told me I should watch. I was intrigued as this seemed to be another heavily instrumental band, however I was impressed, especially with members changing instruments part way through songs. Now that takes talent! Their ambient sound was matched with ambient lighting that truly ramped up the experience.

Sadly that’s the end of Tech-Fest ’22 for me, as I had to make the 176 mile journey home. I had been hearing one phrase throughout the weekend that intrigued me as a first timer to Tech-Fest, and I can certainly agree with the regulars: Tech-Fest truly is Best Fest!

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Photos by Kraken Of Moshville Times

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November 16, 2022 9:55 PM

[…] Novelists, joined by Sam Kubrick from Shields on vocals. I saw these guys earlier on in the year at UK Tech-Fest 2022, I was impressed then and I’m even more impressed now! With some incredible progressive and […]