Text by Alessandro Siciliano
Photos by Sophia Velho
Obscene Extreme is a music festival, created in 1999 in Trutnov, Czech Republic. It features heavy metal artists such as punk, crustcore, grindcore, and death metal.
Celebrating its 25th anniversary, the event took place between July 3rd and 7th and featured lots of great music.
First day of Obscene Extreme 2024
The first day of OEF25 was a triumph. This year, the festival celebrates its 25th anniversary, and on the very first day, a multitude of fans invaded the camping area to secure a good spot, set up their tents, and begin the underground journey that only this event can offer.
The Olympics were the first activities, offering participants, shall we say, "daring" games. After this initial phase, we moved on to the festival's highlight: the bands, which took turns on the only available stage. Angelus Apatrida, Dropdead, Sabbath , and other bands set the scene ablaze on the first day. The weather was kind, providing a sunny day with a perfect temperature.
It's necessary to dedicate a few words to Dropdead because… wow! The synergy between the bassist and the drummer was simply incredible! They captivated the audience with an overwhelming performance that made the first day of the festival unforgettable. The fans were literally mesmerized by the band's brutal and captivating sound, creating an electric atmosphere and preparing us for three more days of pure metal energy.
We're at Obscene Extreme and the watchword is energy, and Angelus Apatrida started the show with just the right amount of energy! Two guitars, a bass, and drums emanated the necessary chaos to captivate the audience from the very first note. After the first song, the crowd started climbing onto the stage to have fun… yes, here it's allowed! Even though the audience seemed a little hesitant during the first song, they soon loosened up, revealing all the typical energy of this festival. Then, the guitarist decided to play in the middle of the crowd, and it was love at first sight!
With iconic songs like “Sharpen the Guillotine” and “End Man,” Angelus Apatrida demonstrated why they are one of the most anticipated bands of the event. The crowd never stopped singing and moshing, creating a sea of heads moving in unison. Their performance set a very high standard for the following days of the festival.
Second day of Obscene Extreme 2024
The day begins with a bit of rain, which comes and goes, but nothing that can dampen the spirit of OEF. As always, the bands take turns on stage non-stop. By 10 am, a Brazilian band particularly beloved by the audience, Manger Cadavre?, warmed up the atmosphere. It seems there's a greater flow of spectators in the arena, which makes the atmosphere even more vibrant.
The names scheduled for today include Manger Cadavre?, Gutalax, Ratos de Porão, Napalm Death, Dying Fetus , and Wormrot . In the late afternoon, backstage, a cake arrived in the colors of Argentina to celebrate Curby's birthday. A beautiful way to celebrate, surrounded by important bands and friends.
Starting at 8 PM, Ratos de Porão, Napalm Death, and Dying Fetus set the scene ablaze. Despite the rain trying to spoil everything, it didn't succeed. Furthermore, this second day was particularly crowded. The audience didn't let themselves be discouraged and continued to support the bands with overwhelming passion.
The Manger Cadavre? show started at 9:58, in the biting cold, but there was already a good number of people, many of them Brazilians, waiting. They opened with “Imperialismo” and “Iconoclastas” from the album Imperialismo, which immediately ignited the audience's enthusiasm. The new song “Como Nascem os Monstros,” from the upcoming album, saw some fans climb onto the stage and start the mosh pit.
With “Araiva Muda o Mundo” from the album “Decomposição”, the audience, composed of Brazilians and Europeans, was visibly moved, and the circle pit didn't stop for a moment. The last set included “Tragédias Previstas” (Decomposição), and the final song was a cry against the murderous military police in Brazil, marking an intense moment for everyone present. Curby watched the entire concert, got emotional, headbanged while seated, and greeted the band at the end of the show. It was truly moving.
Well, there's not much to say about Ratos de Porão, a historic Brazilian band, except that they are a living legend. Their performance can be summed up in one word: energy. From the very first second on stage, Ratos de Porão unleashed an incredible adrenaline rush.
The audience didn't hesitate to climb onto the stage to let loose in front of João Gordo and the band. Seeing João dance during the guitar breaks was unique, and the bassist couldn't stop jumping. With classics like "Amazônia Nunca Mais" and "Crucificados pelo Sistema," they provided the audience with a memorable experience, showing why they are still one of the most beloved bands in underground metal.
After Ratos de Porão, it was Napalm Death's turn, and the energy remained high. Frontman Barney Greenway , with his unmistakable style, dominated the stage, making every body movement a reflection of the band's sonic fury. Songs like "Scum" and "You Suffer" made the crowd explode. Napalm Death showed once again why they are pillars of grindcore, delivering a powerful show that kept everyone constantly moving.
Dying Fetus' show was incredible. They played with an energy and synergy that left everyone breathless. Songs like "Homicidal Retribution" and "Kill Your Mother, Rape Your Dog" overwhelmed the audience with their technical brutality. The precision with which they executed each piece demonstrated their incredible talent, making their show one of the most memorable of the festival.
Wormrot's performance began with a particularly impactful intro. The vocalist delivered an intense performance without instrumental accompaniment, before transitioning to a combination of vocals and drums that thrilled everyone. After the introduction, the tempo and intensity increased, with the audience completely captivated. Songs like "Fallen Into Disuse" and "Hollow Roots" showcased the deep connection between the vocalist and the music, creating a unique and immersive atmosphere that brought the day to an epic close.
Third day of Obscene Extreme 2024
There's something incredible about knowing that it's 2024 and seeing that, to avoid unplugging instruments, people still use a piece of tape. This reminds us that playing music remains a manual, artistic, and central activity for human beings. Weather report update: no rain today! This year the weather was in our favor; usually the weather during the festival isn't the best.
Many bands stood out today, but among the Brazilian acts, Ação Direta put on an incredible show. So incredible that the people who went up on stage started simulating a rowboat with at least ten people. The audience clearly loved the show.
Shortly before them, the Italian band Cripple Bastards, with a Brazilian drummer, delivered a truly powerful show that was much appreciated by the fans. Immolation, Cripple Bastards, Ação Direta: this was the perfect combination to end the day with the Japanese band Kandarivas. Their performance was intense and captivating, closing the day with an explosion of pure energy.
Immolation's somber intro led into a powerful rhythm that quickly captured the audience's attention. They played as only they know how, with a very high bass level representing the instrument's importance to the band. Played by vocalist Ross Dolan, the bass was a dominant force in the show.
During the performance, the audience gathered to watch one of the most respected bands in their genre. Songs like “Majesty and Decay” and “Despondent Souls” resonated through the venue, creating an intense and immersive atmosphere. Immolation's set was a perfect example of pure death metal, leaving everyone wanting more.
There was a lot of anticipation for Ação Direta, which was fully met. We had the honor of watching the show from the stage, along with the band that granted us this privilege. A few moments before the show started, there wasn't much of a crowd in front of the stage, partly because they played at 12:10 AM. But the incredible thing was that as soon as the show began, from the very first note, the audience reacted incredibly well. In the blink of an eye, the stage was filled with people from all over the world, with Brazilians at the forefront.
During the show, the audience members who climbed onto the stage created a simulation of a rowing boat, with about ten people sitting in front of the band pretending to row. It was a scene full of emotion, well-deserved for a band that delivered an incredible performance. The setlist was a mix of “Na Cruz da Exclusão” and “Massacre Humano”. With songs like “Sofrer” and “Vítimas da Paz”, Ação Direta showed why they are so beloved in the hardcore scene. Their energy was palpable, and the audience responded with overwhelming enthusiasm.
Fourth day of Obscene Extreme 2024
Today was very hot, and the people at the festival sported decidedly more "obscene" looks. Many parts of the body were visible, but after all, that's what OEF is also about: the freedom to be yourself. It was all incredible, with many bands taking turns on stage, providing the audience with an unforgettable experience. This last day of the festival was a crescendo of energy and passion that closed the event perfectly, leaving everyone wanting to come back next year
Autopsy closed the festival in spectacular fashion. With a spine-tingling introduction, the band quickly raised the bar with their brutal and visceral sound. They started with "Charred Remains," a classic that unleashed a mosh pit in the crowd. Chris Reifert, the frontman, dominated the scene with his guttural vocals and powerful drumming.
The set continued with powerful songs like “Ridden with Disease” and “Twisted Mass of Burnt Decay,” which kept the energy at its highest levels. Each song was a sonic assault, perfect for closing in grand style. Their performance confirmed why they are considered pioneers of death metal. The crowd was in a frenzy, and every riff, every scream, every drumbeat was met with overwhelming enthusiasm.
Our contributor Sophia Velho was also at the event and captured everything with exclusive photos. Check out our gallery below.
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