Rockstadt Extreme Fest 2022
• festival review •

This year's festival featured over 50 bands across five days, showcasing a wide range of metal genres from black metal and death metal to metalcore and nu-metal. Notable acts included heavy hitters like Lamb of God, Bullet For My Valentine, Cradle of Filth, Overkill, Behemoth or Blind Guardian, alongside a variety of local bands such as Sur Austru, Syn Ze Sase Tri, Gothic, Celelalte Cuvinte or Cargo. The festival also welcomed lesser-known, diverse groups, ensuring a rich musical experience for all attendees.

The festival's organization was noted for its two large stages, a camping area, and ample amenities, including affordable food and drinks, which contributed to a festive and comfortable atmosphere. Despite some challenges, including last-minute lineup changes due to bands like The Black Dahlia Murder and Philip H. Anselmo & The Illegals having to cancel, the festival adapted well, filling these slots with capable artists like Death Blooms and Caronte, ensuring the momentum continued unabated.

The first day of Rockstadt Extreme Fest 2022 featured a series of notable performances that set a high bar for the days to follow. Cradle of Filth delivered an engaging set as the headliner on the Adrian Rugină stage. Known for their dramatic flair and dark theatricality, they lived up to expectations with a powerful display of symphonic black metal that captivated the audience late into the night.

A classic thrash metal sound was brought to the stage earlier in the evening by the american band Death Angel, who delivered a high-energy performance that was both tight and invigorating. Their set was well-received, with the band ripping through their songs with the ferocity and precision that they are known for.

On the Brașov stage, Celelalte Cuvinte, one of Romania’s most enduring rock bands, performed a set that blended progressive rock with heavy metal influences. Their music, rich with cultural resonance and musical sophistication, was a treat for both old fans and new listeners.

Cargo, another staple of the Romanian rock scene, closed the Brașov stage with a set that was both nostalgic and electrifying. Known for their passionate performances, Cargo did not disappoint, delivering a set that resonated well with the home crowd, stirring up feelings of national pride and musical enjoyment.

The other Romanian bands on stage at Rockstadt Extreme Fest 2022 each delivered compelling performances that highlighted their unique contributions to the metal scene. Sur Austru performed early in the afternoon on the Brașov stage. Their music, which melds atmospheric black metal with elements inspired by traditional Romanian folklore, created a unique and immersive experience. Their set was particularly noted for its moody, ethereal quality that set a distinctive tone for the festival's lineup on that day. Syn Ze Sase Tri followed with their blend of symphonic black metal, which incorporates themes from Transylvanian history and mythology. Their performance was theatrical and intense, featuring heavy guitar riffs and dramatic synths that complemented their mythic lyrics. The band's ability to fuse black metal with local cultural elements made their performance stand out as a powerful tribute to Romanian heritage. Another well-regarded Romanian band, Gothic, took the stage later with their style of melodic death metal. Known for their energetic live shows, Gothic's performance at Rockstadt was no exception. They delivered a tight set characterized by fast-paced drumming and aggressive guitar work, which energized the crowd and showcased their technical skills.

The second day of Rockstadt Extreme Fest 2022 showcased a variety of intense performances from a lineup of heavy hitters and dynamic bands. An interesting band was Mastic Scum, who delivered an intense set filled with their signature grindcore sound. Their energetic performance was characterized by rapid-fire rhythms and aggressive vocals that kept the crowd engaged and energized.

Known for their blend of melodic death and groove metal, Orbit Culture's performance was a standout, captivating attendees with their heavy, riff-driven sound and dynamic stage presence. They are rapidly gaining recognition for their unique style and compelling live shows.

Always a force to be reckoned with, Decapitated brought their technical prowess to the festival. Their set was a brutal showcase of death metal at its finest, with complex guitar work and powerful drumming that highlighted their status in the metal community.

As headliners, Bullet For My Valentine met expectations with a robust set, blending melodic metalcore and modern rock. Though not typically my cup of tea, their energetic performance wrapped up the day impressively, as evidenced by the enthusiastic crowd in front of them.

On the Brașov Stage, we had a melodic metalcore band, Unearth, who's performance was both intense and intricate, featuring powerful breakdowns and melodic interludes that showcased their musical versatility.

At the end, but not the last, sacred monsters from Carcass appeared on stage. This veteran band is revered in the death metal scene, and their performance was a masterclass in the genre. They played a mix of old hits and newer material, all executed with surgical precision, which resonated well with the audience.

On the third day of the festival, Overkill delivered an outstanding performance on stage. Renowned for their role in the thrash metal scene, particularly among the revered groups often dubbed the "big four" of their genre, Overkill lived up to their legacy with a dynamic and intense live show. They delivered a set characterized by fast-paced, aggressive music that energized the crowd. Known for their raw power and relentless speed, Overkill engaged the audience with classic tracks filled with robust guitar riffs and commanding vocals.

The band's stage presence was as dominant as their sound, with frontman Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth leading the charge with his distinctive voice and charismatic engagement with the fans. The energy on stage was mirrored by the audience's enthusiastic response, with mosh pits and headbanging common throughout the set. This performance at Rockstadt showcased why Overkill has maintained such a significant and enduring presence in the metal community, consistently delivering the high-energy and ferocity that fans expect from a veteran thrash metal band.

Lamb of God, performing at midnight, brought their signature blend of groove metal and metalcore, delivering a heavy, intense show. Their performance was particularly notable for its raw power and the tight execution of complex songs, which are always a favorite among fans.

On the Brașov Stage, October Tide presented their melancholic and atmospheric brand of doom metal, offering a deep, immersive sound that captivated the audience, providing a contrast to the more intense acts of the night. In Mourning added to the evening's depth with their progressive death metal style, characterized by intricate melodies and powerful growls. Necrophobic intensified the night with their dark and aggressive blackened death metal. Their set was a visceral experience, with fast, heavy riffs and a menacing stage presence that echoed the themes of their music.

Kataklysm's performance at Rockstadt Extreme Fest 2022 was a masterclass in the art of death metal, perfectly encapsulating their distinctive "Northern Hyperblast" style. Their set was a compelling blend of brutality and technical precision, engaging the audience with its relentless energy and meticulous execution. Known for their intense drumming and rapid-fire guitar riffs, Kataklysm delivered a set that was not only sonically overwhelming but also showcased their tight musicianship. Closing the Brașov stage, they provided a spectacular finale to a day filled with varied metal performances, leaving fans thrilled with a display that was both savage and flawlessly delivered. Their performance reaffirmed why they are celebrated in the metal scene for their powerful and explosive live shows.

The fourth day of Rockstadt Extreme Fest 2022 also featured an impressive array of performances from bands that brought their unique styles to the festival. Black Tooth kicked off the Adrian Rugină Stage with a dose of high-energy music, setting a vibrant tone for the day. Following them, Dyscarnate offered a heavy, relentless set, their technical death metal prowess on full display. Hacktivist merged rap and metal, providing a refreshing blend that energized the crowd with its originality and powerful delivery.

In the early night, Unleashed took the Adrian Rugină Stage, delivering a set that was both ferocious and tightly executed. Known for their role in the development of Swedish death metal, Unleashed's performance was a deep dive into their extensive catalog, providing the audience with a mix of old favorites and newer tracks. Their music, characterized by its raw energy and powerful themes, resonated well with the festival-goers, maintaining high energy throughout the show.

Kreator, the German thrash metal titans, performed on the Adrian Rugină Stage as headliners, bringing a high-octane set that reminded everyone why they are revered in the metal community. Their show unfolded as a relentless barrage of rapid-fire rhythms and virtuosic flair, underscored by the band's signature aggressive style. The audience response was overwhelming, with mosh pits and headbanging that matched the intensity Kreator is famous for.

Despite being no stranger to Romanian stages, Rotting Christ's performance on the Brașov Stage at Rockstadt Extreme Fest was especially captivating. The band wove a tapestry of black metal with melodious and atmospheric layers, crafting a sound uniquely their own. The Greek ensemble conjured a mystical yet intense atmosphere, deeply engaging the audience with their dark, thematic explorations and a commanding stage presence that fully immersed festival-goers in their artistry.

The final day of Rockstadt Extreme Fest 2022 saw a spectacular lineup that left a lasting impression on the attendees. The performances ranged from the fierce to the fantastical, each band bringing their own flair to the stages. Kampfar, known for their Norse mythology-inspired black metal, delivered an intense set on the Adrian Rugină Stage, weaving dark, atmospheric elements into their music that captivated the audience. Their sound, deeply rooted in the black metal tradition, was both raw and melodic, making for a stirring performance.

Cattle Decapitation ascended the stage later with their unique brand of extreme metal, characterized by their aggressive approach and environmentally themed lyrics. Their performance was an explosive display of energy and a fierce critique of human behavior, delivered through brutal vocals and relentless instrumentals.

As midnight approached, Behemoth dominated the stage, their set a grandiose culmination of the festival’s spirit. Known for their theatricality and intense blackened death metal, Behemoth's performance was both visually and sonically overwhelming, featuring elaborate stage setups and a powerful sound that echoed throughout the venue.

On the Brașov Stage, Angelus Apatrida energized the crowd with their thrash metal riffs and dynamic presence. The Spanish band's performance was tight and energetic, perfect for fans of fast-paced, riff-heavy metal.

Blind Guardian's performance on the final day of Rockstadt Extreme Fest 2022 was a profound testament to their enduring appeal and the deep connection they share with their fans. As pioneers of the power metal genre, they delivered a show that was not only musically enthralling but also rich in narrative, drawing heavily on themes from fantasy and folklore that are quintessential to their style.

The band's ability to weave complex stories into their music was matched by their dynamic stage presence, creating an immersive experience that resonated deeply with the audience. The crowd's response was palpable; fans were not just spectators but active participants, singing along to the choruses and responding energetically to the band's call and response cues. This interaction highlighted the unique bond between Blind Guardian and their audience, a relationship built on a shared love for epic tales and powerful, melodic music.

Each song performed was a reminder of their mastery in crafting soundscapes that are both grandiose and intimately familiar to their fans, making their set a highlight not just of the day but of the entire festival. The performance of Blind Guardian at Rockstadt Extreme Fest was a perfect closure to the festival, leaving attendees with a lasting memory of power, melody, and the magic of shared musical experience.

As Rockstadt Extreme Fest 2022 concluded, it left attendees with resonant experiences and memories, reaffirming its status as a cornerstone event for metal enthusiasts. The festival not only highlighted the enduring allure of metal but also its evolving landscape, promising a future rich with heavy riffs, epic storytelling, and relentless energy that will beckon fans to return. It offered not just a series of concerts but a cultural gathering that celebrated both the music and the spirit of its diverse fan base, affirming its status as a staple in the festival circuit in Europe and beyond.