Gallery, ReviewDitch This MagazineJune 20, 2022gallery, live, Nathan Goldsworthy, Odin Imaging, Dark Mofo, Triptykon, Lingua Ignota, sanctae noctis, Hymns to the dead

DARK MOFO 2022: 15th - 18th June

Gallery, ReviewDitch This MagazineJune 20, 2022gallery, live, Nathan Goldsworthy, Odin Imaging, Dark Mofo, Triptykon, Lingua Ignota, sanctae noctis, Hymns to the dead

words and photos: Nathan Goldsworthy @odin.imaging

**Review**

This years program is aptly themed on ‘***Resurrection***’

No two people will have the same experience in Hobart over the winter solstice, this is all due to the magic that is Dark Mofo. In 2022 we are lucky enough to witness this ‘Resurrection’.

Photo Credit: Dark Mofo/Darklab media 2022
Image Courtesy Dark Mofo, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

Immersion is key when visiting Hobart during Dark Mofo, and its hard not to be as soon as you get off the plane (If you’re from interstate like myself). The beautiful city of Hobart drowned in neon red and the giant beam of light shooting 15kms into the sky named Spectra. This years program is aptly themed on ‘Resurrection’

'As the cultural world re-emerges from the darkness of cancellations and lockdowns, we are all experiencing a rebirth, of sorts,' said Creative Director Leigh Carmichael. 'The forced isolation gave rise to a re-evaluation of what matters, to new ideas, new dreams.'

Triptykon @ MAC2 15th of June

I heard the rumours that Thomas Gabriel Fischer was scheduled to come down for the previously cancelled (for reasons we all know but will not talk about) and that had me hopeful that he would be coming down this year. I couldn’t beleive my eyes when i saw founder of several extreme metal bands was bring down 2 of his acts.

Thats where I started my journey into darkness.

Triptykon

Thomas, wearing the iconic beanie and eye make up, Triptykon took us on a journey through their entire discography, and even treated us to some classic Celtic Frost.

Full gallery below

Hymns To The Dead @ Odeon Theatre 17th of June

The biggest draw card for me, and one I am most eager to see the announcement for is Hymns for the Dead. always exclusive to DM, and I always walk away finding a new band i am blown away by.

This years Slaughter for the ears features bands from all over the globe; first up was Darkestrah, a pagan black metal band inspired by Central Asian shamanism that originally hailed from the mountainous landlocked country of Kyrgyzstan.

Remember when we bands couldn’t travel to Australia? Now we are watching a band from a country i couldn’t find on a map. Mind blowing.

Chthe'ilist, fast, fun anf shredalicious Death Metal from Canada. Phil Tougas taking time out from all his insane amount of bands he performs in to make the huge journey down under.

Krypts immensely heavy Doom infected Death Metal from Finland. Tonight we witnessed music from the Jötunn themselves, They were giants, and they were heavy!

Thomas Gabriel Fischer returns for the second time during Dark Mofo ‘22 playing Triumph of Death, performing songs from his seminal band Hellhammer. Yeah, some of the tracks may be some 4 decades young, but damn it was bloody good to see it live!

Full gallery below

Sanctae Noctis @ MAC2 18th of June

Opening with last minute call ups with Kilat and Run after the unfortunate withdrawal of Lingua Ignota. The night was off to a blistering start.

The extreme metal trio from Naam/Melbourne, Kilat come in just before the release of their debut album. Karina Utomo as always, an absolute delight to see on stage. Pure theatre, pure brutality.

RUN(ning) in to save the day after the second withdrawal of the festival with Deafheaven unable to attend. Another ridiculously good local up for the showcase. (Melbourne is local right?!).

Lochlan Watt left absolutely everything on the stage, it was raw and beautiful.

Next up was Diploid, and no one was prepared for the chaos that ensued. Their avant experimentalism blends an almost infinite list of genres that creates a bulldozer of noise.

Making the short pilgrimage to the stage in the adjoining room, YLVA are first to take on the larger stage. The room so dark before they started I struggled to find my way to the photo pit.

With a change of pace and some added structure, do not assume YLVA weren’t heavy. They were as dark as the room was when I entered, and atomically heavy. will we be seeing a new release from them? I certainly hope so!

Sanctae Noctis certainly hosted a wide range of metal bands, on paper King Yosef was the one you probably wouldn’t have expected to be on this line up. The mix of Hip-hop, hardcore punk and industrial metal, you could almost put them on any festival line up and they would stand their ground, if they weren’t making their own.

Black Sheep Wall literally got amongst it, with the whole crowd singing together when the front man Brendon got climbed into the pit to share his microphone.

The UK has some fantastic post metal bands, and Conjurer is up there with one of the best. It was about now when I was pinching myself, I’d seen several incredible bands over the last few days and my major drawcard was on next!

Katatonia, need I say anymore? These long time metal masters were a huge draw card from all over Australia (including myself)

Unfortunately Anders unable to make it, Nico (From Entombed A.D) filled in and fit in effortlessly. I was found in the photo pit singing my lungs out from behind my camera.

Thanks Dark Mofo. Once again, you made this one dark winter solstice. I loved every minuite