„They Fear Us” – it’s the title of Ithaca’s album, but it might as well be our motto. They fear extreme music, freedom of speech, unfettered artistic expression. All that is represented by the next four bands joining the Mystic Festival program. Let us welcome Accept, Life Of Agony, Ithaca and Sanguisugabogg.
Accept
Your metal heart is bound to beat faster at this show. Accept are legends of the European scene who are not only “too mean to die” (we’re sure you’ve recognized the title of their latest studio album, out in 2021), but have been enjoying a second youth, recording material that matches their classics. The band, led by Wolf Hoffmann, is also in fantastic live form, as you well know, because when they visit our country, it’s hard to squeeze into the club. This time there will be plenty of room in front of the stage.
Life Of Agony
The band emerged from the New York hardcore scene of the late 1980s and early 1990s, but has always walked its own path. On the now iconic albums “River Runs Red” and “Ugly,” both metal heaviness, hardcore directness and grunge emotionality resonated. There were also these poignant lyrics about loneliness, alienation, rejection, in Mina Caputo’s unique interpretations. After years of turbulence and two extended hiatuses, Life Of Agony returned for good in the middle of the last decade, because: “It’s these words and music / That keeps me living, keeps me breathing…”.
Ithaca
The London-based metalcore tornado fronted by the charismatic Djamila Boden Azzouz is a blow (for blow) against sexism, racism and bigotry. It’s purification through anger. It’s also and most importantly fantastic music. The group’s second album, “They Fear Us”, made it to the top three of both “Kerrang!” and “Metal Hammer” album of the year rankings – when these magazines are so unanimous, it means things are getting serious.
Sanguisugabogg
“Dead As Shit” – this is the title of one of Sanguisugabogg’s greatest hits and also a pretty accurate definition of their style. This is heavy, dead, uncompromising shit, only for real maniacs of the filthiest death metal. If anyone enjoys knee-deep wading in guts, bones and bodily fluids, they will find joy in dealing with this year’s album by the Ohio quartet, appropriately titled “Homicidal Ecstasy,” and will probably love the show. More sensitive music aficionados are advised to avoid it.
The Mystic Festival 2024 will take place at the Gdansk Shipyard from June 5-8. The program includes Accept, Satyricon, Thy Art Is Murder, Life Of Agony, Lord Of The Lost, Ithaka, Asphyx, Orange Goblin and Sanguisugabogg.
For more information and tickets go to: www.mysticfestival.pl.
Currently on sale:
- Early Bird four-day passes, priced at PLN 749.
- Four-day VIP passes, priced at PLN 1299.
You can also purchase festival passes through the eBilet website – installment sales are available. Buy today, pay later.
The festival is organized by Mystic Coalition, an alliance of companies with vast experience in the concert, festival and recording market. It consists of Knock Out Productions, Mystic Production and B90.
Knock Out Productions
http://www.knockoutprod.net
Mystic Production
https://www.mystic.pl