Several years ago, around Merchants Of Air's first birthday, this website was mostly seen as an underground metal webzine. Our reviews consisted mainly of black and doom metal with several other subgenres filling the gaps between the two. However, gradually that changed. A few months ago, I noticed that we are now being seen as an alternative/ambient/post-rock website. All good and well but we are still an open-minded crew, focusing on as many awesome stuff we can find. And in hard hitting Belgian it rarely gets more awesome than Antwerp Metal Fest, bursting from the local underground like a volcanic eruption and throwing a plethora of fantastic bands onto their stages. They have been doing that since 2013 and now our Merchants can finally make it. So, as promised to the fine people behind this epic event, here is a little preview, a bunch of recommended bands and a sweet ass walk in the park.
Antwerp
This is a wonderful city. I moved here about eleven years ago and since then I have been strolling around its massive musical underground. I see this festival as Graspop's little brother but also as a return to a place with great memories. Bouckenborgh park has been one of my favorites here, especially the pond. So yeah, during some bands I might be strolling around, photographing the ducks. However, I'll be mostly there for the metal, just like ninety perfect of the Antwerp metal scene. The event will see a heap of bands from in and around this city climb the stages. With Off The Cross, Objector, Bark, Carrion and Fleddy Melculy a great sense of pride will undoubtedly roll over the audience. But of course, the whole festival will be awesome, just have a look at our recommendations.
Saturday
Finding five must-see bands per day is astonishingly easy. I mean, as far as I'm concerned, you might want to see all bands on this festival. Who knows, you might discover a few favorites. My very first recommendation however is to come early.
Objector
These guys pleasantly surprised me with their appearance in Edegem some months back. Shortly after, they did it all over again when they sent me their EP for review. Both the gig and the record convinced me of their qualities. This is some good old fashioned intensely raging thrash metal. Objector will undoubtedly kick off this festival with sheer power. You'll know when Antwerp Metal Fest starts. All of Antwerp will know that...
Leng tch'e
| Belgian grind legends Leng tch'e apparently delivered a crushing set during the first edition of Antwerp Metal Fest. This year they're ready to demolish everything they left standing back in 2013. Bring an umbrella with you because chances are big that blood and body parts will fly all over the Bouckenborg park. You have been warned. |  |
Pestilence
 | This is so fucking awesome. Once upon a time I was a huge death metal fan with Dutch legends Pestilence being one of my favorites. I never had the chance to see them live though. So, thank you AMf for bringing these guys back to the stage. Their career has been of hall-of-fame quality and I'm extremely curious about which songs they are going to play. Not that it's going to matter though, it'll be fantastic anyway. |
Bark
| Bark is becoming one of the most interesting things in Belgium today. I've seen them several times already and they destroy the place every single time. I am damn sure that their mix of hardcore, thrash and sludge will once again wreck the building. Period. |  |
Nile
 | The Nile is one of my favorite rivers of all time. Sparking countless of stories about human civilization, this massive waterflow has been responsible for the foundations of our very society. Ancient Egypt would not have been the same without the Nile and our Red Devils would have beaten their team with 1536-0 if it weren't for the Nile. |
| Besides, there is also a death metal band with the same name and that band happens to appear on Antwerp Metal Fest. With bombastic symphonic elements and a brutality that will rock you out of your boots, Nile will keep Merksem in a stranglehold. Since their inception in 1993, this American band around Karl Sanders has become of the most defining acts in death metal history. Expect them to blast, ravage and pulverise the last nay-sayers in a frenzy of technical death metal riffs. And then, remember, this was only day one. |  |
There is more goodness to be found but that's up to you to discover. I do recommend partying out to the AMF All Star Band and Goe Vur In Den Otto, but beware, Sunday will be merciless.
Sunday
Well, who would have guessed. I am going to do exactly the same as on Saturday and advise everybody to come early.
Lost Baron
 | This band is completely new to me. They won the AMF contest after reaching the semi finals of Humo's Rock Rally. I had a good hard listen to their 'Indifference' single and now I'm curious towards their whole set. Their death metal variant growls and grooves like a motherfucker and that's exactly what we will all need on this unholy Sunday afternoon, right? |
Distillator
| The Netherlands are known for four things: cheese, tulips, weed and extreme metal. Somehow, the Dutch always manage to take that extra step. Distillator assaulted my neck muscles last year and they loved it. I'm sure that they will utterly thrash the stage on Antwerp Metal Fest and I'm sure that it will rain stage divers and crowd surfers. |  |
Bathsheba
 | These guys and girl are on this preview for a bunch of reasons. One: they are one of the best things ever in Belgian doom metal history. Two: it will be one of their last shows. Three: I am going to cry my eyes out. Fronted by the enigmatic Michelle and driving on the monolithic riffs of Dwight, Bathsheba quickly became a force to be reckoned with. Now they're calling it quits so you can't miss this. |
Testament
| Another legendary band I haven't yet seen is Testament. I don't think these pioneers of thrash metal need an introduction. Founded in 1983, Testament has defined the sound of a whole genre and has been an inspiration to countless of bands over the past thirty years. I listened to these guys a lot back in my wild teens and perhaps Antwerp Metal Fest is a good place to revive those years. |  |
Fleddy Melculy
 | Based around the illegitimate son of Lars Ulrich and Lita Ford, Belgian metal/hardcore combo Fleddy Melculy guarantees hard hitting music and frantic laughter. Thriving on ear infecting riffs and armed with a decent dose of humor, Fleddy Melculy is growing to become the modern day version of Belgian Asociality. So who better to close a metal day in the park? |
Last words
See you in Merksem
Serge
Serge
