The first day of the festival was demanding of an almost constant residence at the Valley stage. Not that it’s anything unusual for us, but the Valley’s opening day was of an unmissable essence. Early morning on, began with one of the most interesting up and coming french bands. Despite the young age, Necromancers arrive at Hellfest already with two records under their belt - both released through California’s Ripple Music label. On stage, the band delivers a powerful combo that melds the best of both worlds, with slow and crawling riffs, while still diving uncompromisingly into newer, more progressive territories. An approach that is perfectly noted in their most recent effort Of Blood and Wine, and that deems the quartet as a force to be reckoned with in a near future. 

Keeping up the awesome morning soundtrack of the festival’s start-up, with temperature now slowly heating up by the minute, now came the time for the most appropriate band for the climate. At the sound of dozens of now welcoming attendees, Valley of the Sun now took no time for busy welcoming tunes, and approached immediately into a muscled sonic trip to the farthest desert dunes in Clisson.Truly a band that defines the spirit of the Valley stage.

It was lunchtime when Radio Moscow got on stage, but they surely served a perfect meal that fed all the present audience. This band has a vivid energy, their presence can be felt really close, as the music goes straight to the heart. They were followed by Conan, who guided the audience on a cosmic road trip across the universe’s battlefield. Heavily dense, muscular and powerful, they made everyone feel invincible. On a different wavelength, All Them Witches were equally as majestic on stage, blasting their dancing blues with a powerful vocal performance expelling a great quantity of rage through beautifully written verses.

Graveyard on the other hand was a little bit disappointing, something that can be felt with the shift in dynamic between the band’s live performance and their studio executions. Although it was an ok concert, it lacked some of the mystics and the crowd didn’t seem much connected with the show. Maybe in a festival of this kind, people would expect more classics from the band instead of the just new songs from the album Peace. Something can be explained by the fact that Graveyard are not allowed to play songs from the first record due to legal disputes.

With Uncle Acid & the Deadbeats the crowd were put into a trance with their hypnotic dragged riffs. One could easily get a sense of disorientation if enjoying the concert in the proper way – with closed eyes. Truth is, nobody wanted to get back to reality. Right up next were Fu Manchu, who were more than ready to bring a bit of disorder into the last slot of the Valley Stage. Welcomed by a vibrant crowd that had impatiently waited for the last band on Valley for the day. The crossing of the desert was now ready to begin. The concert was a true delivery of joy under the form of fuzzy heavy vibrations. The contentment and clear satisfaction in Fu Manchu’s performance was easily seen through the faces of every single one present in that moment in time.