Second Day Lasher Fest Delivers with Diverse Performances

On October 26, the second day of Lasher Fest in Danish Aalborg brought a variety of memorable performances to the stage, with each band delivering a unique experience.

Mizmor

Hailing from Portland, Oregon, one-man project Mizmor, supported by his live performance ensemble, captured the crowd with classic black, doom, and drone sounds and an eerie, atmospheric presence. Mizmor mixed heavy sounds with unexpectedly calm, mellow segments—highlighted by padded drumstick hi-hat strikes—that created an otherworldly vibe. Occasionally, it felt like a shift to a completely different genre until broken by intense, dark screams.

However, like many solo projects, Mizmor’s set lacked variety, leading some of the audience to disengage around the 30-minute mark. The polished performance might benefit from fresh inspiration or collaborations to diversify the sound.

Meejah x Hiraki

This collaborative performance brought together Hiraki’s aggressive synthpunk style with Meejah’s hazy, experimental sounds, creating an unusual blend of dark, soulful atmosphere. The vocals blended well, while the tempo slowed for a more rhythmic experience than Hiraki’s usual style.

Despite a unique setup, Meejah x Hiraki didn’t manage to captivate the entire crowd in the small venue. Dim lighting and minimal staging reduced visibility, which may have impacted audience engagement.

Møl

Returning to the stage after some time, Møl impressed with their elevated stage presence and intricate light show. They skillfully synced bursts of guitar with spotlight effects, and they uniquely utilized the venue’s disco ball to enhance their set. Their characteristic shoegaze sound hit hard, moving seamlessly between clean and gritty vocals, creating a full “wall of sound” effect that energized the crowd.

Møl kept the audience engaged, with a room that continued to fill as the performance progressed. Showcasing a new, slightly slower track from their latest album, Møl offered both variety and quality in their performance, leaving the audience more than satisfied.

Embla

Embla took on the smaller stage at Lasher Fest, drawing a modest crowd for their 30-minute post-hardcore set. Known previously as We Are Among Storms, the group brought energy but struggled to distinguish themselves from other acts. Despite their talent, Embla might need to explore more unique elements or draw upon their members’ diverse musical backgrounds to stand out.

John Cxnnor

The most anticipated act of the festival, John Cxnnor brought high energy, props, effects, and an impressive light show. The performance included everything from tribal dancing to props, such as flags, army vests, and even a small action figure on stage. With guest artists Hiraki, Mai Soon Young Øvlisen from Meejah, and Martin Nielsskov from Embla, John Cxnnor created a dynamic, genre-blending experience.

With elements reminiscent of Rammstein and moments evoking a Die Antwoord-vibe, John Cxnnor delivered a bass-heavy, intense set. Fans fought to get closer to the stage, filling the venue with mosh pits and high-energy responses that left everyone smiling by the end.

Photos (c) Morten Holmsgaard Kristensen