Prophecy Fest 2024 seems to have some space left still in their music-packed three-days schedule. The most recent additions to this unique festival from Germany are all tied, each in their own distinctive way, to their respective roots: Hexvessel channeling their Finnish mysticism, Fortíð unleashing the Icelandic pagan lonships and Solstice channeling the ancient wisdom of Angleland. Like this, ancient folklore is brought to the very place were the mythical blacksmith Wayland learned his craft: the cave of Balve.
Hexvessel
Haunted by primal forest spirits, Mat “Kvohst” McNerney summons the nocturnal ghosts of his past, churned in the cauldron of Black Metal, Ritual Folk Psychedelia and Doom Rock, and echoing with shivering Gothic undertones. From their inception in 2009, Hexvessel, created by Mat McNerney as what he described as “a free spiritual journey and a musical odyssey with no boundaries”, have captivated audiences and listeners with their evolution. Shamanic shapeshifters, Hexvessel resonates with solitary reflection and themes of personal spiritual transcendence, continuing to reinvent and explore nature mysticism through music.
Their latest release, Polar Veil from September 2023 embraces that dark, shapeshifting quality of their music, and we will surely have the chance to listen to it live in the cave – to the delight of many, as the organisers have stated that Hexvessel remains one of the most requested bands by fans. For a peak behind the polar veil, check out the single Older than the Gods below:
Fortíð
Iceland’s pagan metal spearheads Fortíð have sealed a contract to grant Prophecy Fest one of their rare appearances and their first German show ever. Moreover, this also marks their first live performance in years, so make sure not to miss their set!
Fortíð (meaning past in Icelandic) started as a solo project by Eldur. On the Völuspá-trilogy, all instruments and vocals were done by Eldur with the help of session members. Founded in 2002, the band operated in Norway between 2009 and 2019 as Fortid (the Norwegian spelling). Now they are back on Icelandic soil. Inspired by the fascinating and vast Norse mythology, their sound falls into the pagan/viking black metal sphere.
In October 2023, they released their seventh full-length album, Narkissos, under the Lupus Lounge banner. Off of this release, check out the beautiful music video for Uppskera:
Solstice
Formed in 1990 on the eve of the summer solstice, they describe their sound as apocalyptic epic metal. Apart from shredding guitar riffs and indeed an epic atmosphere, their sound also has heavy metal elements at times, peppered with doom undertones.
Their lyrical theme revolves around ancient folklore, a motif most evident in their visuals as well. Hailing from the UK, their latest full-length album is White Horse Hill from 2018.At present, Solstice are working on new material.
While we wait on new material, check out the Death’s Crown Is Victory compilation, released in 2021:
About Prophecy Fest
Prophecy Fest is held annually in the Balver Kulturhöhle (“Balve culture cave”) near the town of Balve in the Sauerland region of the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia. The closest airports are Dortmund, Cologne, Frankfurt and Hannover. The three-day event will begin on Thursday, September 5 and it will conclude with a final concert starting before midnight of Saturday, September 7.
The 2024 ticket price has been set to 139 €. Check out the official festival site for tickets or for more details and bear in mind, about 85% of all available tickets have already been sold.
Line-up so far
These acts have already been confirmed (in alphabetical order): Alcest & Nicolas Horvath, Arthur Brown, ARÐ, Aureole, Austere, Dool, Empyrium, Farsot, Fen, Fortíð, Germ, Hexvessel, In The Woods…, Paradise Lost, Perchta, Solstice, Tchornobog, Thief and Triptykon.
[…] Productions. The band will release their fourth album via the label and have already been confirmed for this year’s edition of Prophecy […]