TUSKA OPEN AIR METAL FESTIVAL
02.-04.07.2010. Kaisaniemi park, Helsinki, Finland

For the first time i must start a story about Tuska festival with weather. Despite i am visitor of this festival for eight years now, and that temperature was always below 27 degrees Celsius, i must say that this time, few more Celsius (sometimes even 35) reminded me on some great summers in Split and Trogir. The only thing is that this is 2000 north.
So, everything else we know, Tuska Open Air Metal Festival, Kaisaniemi park, Helsinki, Finland. Took part 02.-04.07. and 34 bands performed on three stages.
Concept stayed the same, enough of famous names and space for those who need a breakthrought, no matter are they Finnish or international bands. What was different this time was many USA bands: Kamelot, Cannibal Corpse, W.A.S.P., Megadeth, Testament, Nevermore, Overkill, Obituary and Nile.
Atmoshpere on Tuska festival is always on maximum, that is great feeling and real holiday in country where this genre in a mainstream (long with Finnish tango hehehe…).
Every day program ended at 10pm because no noise in town was later aloud. For those who loved it so much there was a countinuing of festival in clubs like Tavastia, Nosturi, Dante’s Highlight and Virgin Oil Co. Here i would mention Ronnie James Dio Memorial Gala, where many famous names of Finnish metal performed in Tavastia club.
As always, i will try to be as subjective as possible and to mention only bands that somehow left an impact.
Let’s start with a legend of Finnish heavy metal, Tarot, lead by Marco Hietala (better known as bassist and vocal in Nightwish, althougt Tarot exists for 25 years). It was promotion of their new album Gravity Of Light, with a choir on stage. Choir is a special story. It came alive last winter during competition on Finnish TV YLE, where famous people had a task to make a choir from amateur singers. Marco was really successful in it and band got an idea to perform at Tuska fest with this band. It was great and main song I Walk Forever from the new album, sounded fenomenal.
Norwegian black metal band Satyricon has done their ritual play on a high level. When i say play, i literally mean at theatre, looking at all the dramatic poses when it comes to Satyr during the songs. Anyway, long live Norwegian black metal!
I have to admit (however it sounded) that for the first time festival’s headliner made me indifferent. It was Canadian Devin Townsend, who i am actually very grateful to. They performed in two different showtimes, in one, they presented their solo album Ziltoid The Omniscent, and in second as Devin Townsend Project. Despite unusually hot days in Helsinki, their showtime i spent in VIP pub behind  the main stage, „hanging out“ with ice cold pear cider.
With Sweden Peter Tagtgren is completely different story, although he performed with his two bands: Pain (industrial metal) and Hypocrisy (death metal). He was really good in both versions.
I would mention two Finnish death metal bands: Sotajumala and Survivors Zero, who have launched mutual DVD Slaughter At Lutakko. That is why they haven’t both performed on the same day by accident. Visually very different, but musically they were really close, agressive to their limits. We must menition that in Survivors Zero, bass guitar player and glowler is Tapio Wilska, ex Finntroll vocal, close Nightwish assosiate.
Kamelot definitelly had their best performance i have ever seen, so they probably were (if we could even choose) the best on this year’s Tuska fest. Khan has made it in his concert suite as hero, which was definitelly inappropriate for such a hot. It is obious that Finnish audience is really inspirational for this band. Many energy was invested, and pyro really made a great impact. Their tour back vocal Elize Ryd seemed really attractive, so he gained ovation when it comes to fans. Great concert, very good announcement of their new album Poetry For The Poisoned which will be out soon.
Industrial metal machinery made in Finland called Turmion Katilot gained massive hysteria among the fans. They are really dynamic in their performance, very dark in their texts, ready for provocation and shocks. They are special appearence on domestic scene, so if you will ever have a chance to see them live, don’t miss it.
Festival was closed by Megadeth. Beautiful atmosphere in the end of the day, never more audience in front of the main stage, some kind of a respect for this legendary band. Something like classical music concert raised to metal level.
And that was the perfect way 12 Tuska Open Air Metal Festival ended. What will change next year will be the location. It will take place 01.-03.07. on the coast, in Suvilahti, less than two kilometers away from the place it took part so far. See you there!

Report and photo: Miloš Ristić Jeskanen

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