Great Last day of Jailbreak

The Danish festival Jailbreak emerges as a captivating and rebellious celebration of music and artistic freedom, captivating the hearts of attendees year after year. Nestled amidst the picturesque landscapes of Denmark, Jailbreak transcends conventional festival experiences, fusing the raw energy of live performances with a distinctive atmosphere of unbridled creativity. Beyond the mesmerizing melodies, the festival’s immersive ambience engulfs visitors in a world where boundaries are shattered and self-expression reigns supreme. Whether it’s the spellbinding stages nestled within lush forests or the interactive art installations that beckon the imagination, Jailbreak is a testament to the power of music as a catalyst for personal liberation. As day turns into night and the music reverberates through the souls of attendees, Jailbreak stands as a testament to the indomitable spirit of the Danish music scene and its unwavering commitment to pushing artistic boundaries. Last weekend the latest edition was held, Maxazine was there.

Pectora

Pectora are the opening act for Saturday, and they do a great job of it!  Playing classic heavy metal, they’re dressed in leather jackets, with either frills or studs. Either that or the classic ‘bare chest and studded vest’ combo.

Starting the second day at a festival, when people are hungover and a bit damp from camping, is not an easy task, but the crowd there is pretty big, although a bit exhausted from the day before. One thing I noticed though, is that most of the band is smiling through the whole set. It’s easy to see that they love being on stage and that energy is transferred to everyone in the audience.

Skullclub

Skullclub is a very well-known band in Denmark. With their sea/sailor-themed punk rock, they’ve rocked both radio and festivals for several years now. They start their set by having a scantily clad girl wearing a ski mask, wave a flag, while sea shanties are being chanted in the background Obviously a lot of people have been looking forward to this show, as you see several people donned in sailor outfits and other sea-worthy apparel. 

The music itself is like a mix of Red Warszawa, another Danish cult phenomenon, and Dropkick Murphys.  It has some amazing banjo solos and a rising tempo in a lot of songs. This, coupled with some very politically incorrect songs, a cavalcade of rather raunchy comments, and a gravelly vocal, makes the whole experience captivating to anyone watching.

Metal Church

With Metal Church, another line of veterans grace the stage. Although they’ve been around since the early 80s, and have qe studio albums under their belt, they still have a crazy amount of energy from start to finish. Their sound, which helped shape the earliest steps of Seattle thrash metal, is a fair bit harder than most other bands at the festival, and the crowd mostly consists of the younger generation, waiting for any opportunity to start a moshpit.

The band is not entirely without problems though, and the rhythm guitar seems a bit off, although not all that noticeable.  All in all, I’m very happy that I finally got to see Metal Church live, and they didn’t disappoint. 

Arch Enemy

Arch Enemy are many things. Talented artists with a prominent sound and great stage presence. Pioneers for many of the female lead singers we see in metal these days, and with their various lead singers throughout the years, an icon for female empowerment in metal, a spot that was very well earned, by sheer talent.  And the current lead, Alissa White-Gluz indeed had some big shoes to fill. Most people will agree, she does incredibly well. 

The set started with the band members standing in place, heads lowered until Alissa comes on stage. After she enters the stage it’s full blast into the first song, right away. The talking comes afterwards. And they do have a great rapport with their audience, evidenced by no one leaving when it started raining. Singalongs, crowd surfing, the crowd is loving all of it, and people embraced the bad weather, not minding the rain one bit. The music is impeccable and the entire show is captivating and over entirely too soon. 

Saxon

If Arch Enemy brought the storm, Saxon cleared the sky!  Just as the band took the stage, the rain stopped pouring, and within minutes, the hall where people had sought shelter was cleared, and there wasn’t a single person not attending the show. And for a band formed in 1975, I gotta say, they’ve still got it, and then some! Makes you wonder what kind of deal with the devil they made to keep that level going for so long. No matter what, these long-standing pioneers of the heavy metal genre, delivered a high-octane show from start to finish.

Even in the very back, people were jumping in place, arms raised in the air.  No stage props were needed to entertain or keep people’s attention, instead, they used their years of experience to get the blood of the audience boiling. You could tell people’s focus changed the moment Biff Byford invoked the Danish Viking blood. Throughout the show, he was consistently great at reading and interacting with the crowd on a personal level, something that can only be achieved with almost 50 years of experience on stage.

Danko Jones

Danko Jones is presented by the promoter as Canadian punk. They’re very rhythmic for a punk band though and the sound is very clean and rock’n’roll. It’s not a bad thing by any stretch though, and people loved the show. They even started chanting the band name, which the lead singer, coincidentally named the same, deemed an instant hit.

The lead singer has a kind of, for lack of a better word, ‘erratic’, energy, but in a great way. He also doesn’t let himself steal all the attention, making sure his bandmates are noticed and celebrated too, which to me is a sign of a great band. Danko Jones was definitely the surprise of the day for many of us, and just the pickup people needed after standing in the rain for hours. I for one will be checking out more of their rather extensive history, and I suggest you do yourself the favour of doing the same.

Within Temptation

The festival grounds were transformed into a haven for music lovers as the Dutch sensation Within Temptation took the stage for a performance that will undoubtedly be etched into the memories of all those in attendance. In an evening that showcased their unparalleled artistry, the band delivered a show that was nothing short of a breathtaking symphony of emotions, complete with massive production, crowd engagement, and a strong message of solidarity. From the moment the first notes of “See Who I Am” resonated through the air, it was evident that Within Temptation was at the pinnacle of its musical prowess. The band’s frontwoman, Sharon den Adel, captivated the audience with her ethereal vocals and magnetic stage presence. The synergy between the band members was undeniable, creating a sonic tapestry that showcased their collective brilliance.

Within Temptation’s ability to create an atmosphere where both headbangers and dreamers found their place was truly impressive. The grandeur of “Our Solemn Hour” and the hauntingly beautiful “Mother Earth” were standouts that transcended mere performance and ventured into the realm of art. Beyond the music and production, the band’s unwavering support for Ukraine was a potent testament to their commitment to using their platform for meaningful causes. This underlying theme was woven throughout the evening, resonating deeply with the audience and highlighting the power of music to inspire change and unity. As the final notes of “Mother Earth” reverberated into the night, the overwhelming sentiment among the crowd was one of gratitude. Within Temptation’s performance was more than just a concert; it was an emotional journey that touched hearts, ignited spirits, and reinforced the magic that live music can create.

Photo’s (c) Morten Holmsgard Kristensen