Lasher Festival 2024: A Night of Experimental Metal and Surprising Twists
The first day of the Lasher Festival in Aalborg, Denmark, delivered an unforgettable night last Friday. With electrifying performances and a mix of unexpected challenges, from innovative duos to unfortunate technical issues, each set brought its own memorable experience.
The Body + Dis Fig
Pairing experimental metal duo The Body from Rhode Island with Berlin-based ambient artist Dis Fig might seem unusual, yet the collaboration was strikingly effective. The Body’s heavy, drum- and electronic-driven sound meshed seamlessly with Dis Fig’s ambient, emotional vocals, creating a balance neither could achieve alone. The set featured retro synth sounds alongside an intense, ethereal ambience, blending into an experience that defied traditional genre boundaries. Initially uncertain, the crowd quickly warmed up, filling the venue with enthusiastic energy.
Kōya
Local band Kōya took the smaller stage next door to a packed room filled with excited fans. Though the tight space limited movement, their classic Scandinavian metal with post-hardcore elements impressed the audience. While the set lacked stage props, Kōya delivered with powerful vocals and strong crowd interaction. Playing on home turf, they showed confidence and brought an intensity that resonated deeply with fans.
Rezn
One of the evening’s biggest disappointments was Rezn’s performance being cut short due to a venue-wide power outage. Known for incorporating unusual instruments, like Spencer Ouellette’s saxophone, Rezn’s heavy, psychedelic prog rock was a major draw. Although fans only experienced a brief part of the set, it was impactful enough to leave many hoping for a full show in the future.
Suffocate For Fuck Sake
Swedish band Suffocate For Fuck Sake brought slow, dark, and intense post-metal/sludge to the smaller stage. The atmosphere was fitting for their emotional breakdowns and raw, hate-filled vocals, but background music from outside the venue occasionally intruded, disrupting the reflective silences. Despite this, the band’s refined vocals and melancholic sound captivated the audience, and their new material showed smoother transitions and greater polish.
Russian Circles
After the power issues, headliner Russian Circles nearly faced cancellation, but their determination to perform prevailed. Relying solely on in-house lighting and the backline, they delivered a powerful show with hard grooves and seamless transitions between aggressive riffs and quiet moments. Although this genre is not always the easiest to connect with live, Russian Circles brought a unique intensity that captivated the crowd.
Photos (c) Morten Holmsgaard Kristensen
