The fatigue from the previous two days, during which I walked nearly 30 kilometers, began to take a toll on my body. But my passion for reporting on this festival made the soreness evaporate as soon as I entered the gates of metal paradise. The music, the energy, the anticipation – all served as a powerful antidote.
The schedule of gigs shifted slightly for the last day, thrusting me into a frantic brainstorming session on how to photograph concerts happening nearly simultaneously across the festival grounds. Navigating through the sea of people on a bustling Saturday left me with difficult choices. Some decisions were strategic, others, admittedly, rooted in utter laziness.
Each year, Mystic Festival grows bigger, better organized, and more internationally recognized. This year, Mystic evolved, listening to its fans’ requests and implementing a new chilling zone with stands for merchandise, jewelry, music, and other metal folklore stuff. They also created an enclave to eat and relax while watching concerts on a screen, placed food trucks everywhere, available free potable water, and a second entrance. Mystic was a resounding success, with top-notch organization and metalheads from around the globe flooding the premises.
I arrived just in time for Ghostkid, capturing the bass player amidst circling fans. Their sound – a blend of metal and electro – was enjoyed by a pretty large crowd for this time of the day.
Then came Dvne, another band on my must-see list. Despite the Desert Stage being as packed as a tin of sardines, I made my way to the pit to enjoy their progressive post-metal. Though not usually a fan of the genre, their performance was a treasure for my ears and an absolute delight to photograph.
Unfortunately, Wargasm couldn’t perform that day and were replaced by the local band Mulk.
After snapping a few shots of Until I Wake, I headed to see Lord of the Lost, who were back in Gdansk after eight years – they played as support for Filter and Combichrist in B90, and last year’s appearance in Mystic was cancelled. They brought unparalleled energy with their mainstream metal and electro-industrial blend. I was so captivated that I stayed for their entire set, forgetting about my other assignments.
Photographing Kerry King, the guitarist of Slayer, was a personal triumph. I’ve always dreamed of capturing Slayer live, and while it wasn’t the whole band, getting shots of half of them was mission accomplished. They played a couple of Slayer’s tracks like “Raining Blood” and “Black Magic” but mainly songs from his debut album “From Hell I Rise”, delivering an impressive show. Call me old school, but this is the metal I appreciate the most. Fast paced, with great riffs and solo.
Dark Funeral’s set was an atmospheric journey, leading into one of the festival’s best performances: Satyricon. Their concert was exceptional, confirmed by every metalhead I spoke to. They delivered a career-spanning show and were joined by Frank Bello, a bassist of the legendary Anthrax. After a five-year hiatus, Satyricon returned, giving their all to their fans.
The festival concluded with a spectacular finale, featuring Enter Shikari and Bring Me the Horizon as the final bands to grace the Main Stage. Their performances were the perfect culmination of an unforgettable Mystic Festival.
Enter Shikari brought their signature blend of post-hardcore and electronicore, energizing the crowd with their dynamic sound and captivating stage presence. Their infectious enthusiasm and innovative music lead the audience to the grand finale of the Main Stage.
Bring Me the Horizon took the stage, delivering one hell of a show. Representing the modern era of metal, their conceptual showwas a masterclass in both musical and visual spectacle.
The concert started suddenly with the ghostly voice of the well-known computer character EVE resonating through the venue. Her robotic tone carried an unsettling prediction of the world’s end with at times a certain sense of humour. As when she scanned the crowd and quipped, “I have detected several illegal substances. Please consume them immediately”.
From the moment they started, it was clear that this was a band at the height of their powers. The crowd was treated to a set that was both exuberant and meticulously crafted, showcasing their versatility and prowess. Bring Me the Horizon’s show truly exemplified why they are considered one of the leading acts in contemporary metal and why they were the headliners of this last day festival. The intensity and passion they brought to the stage ensured that everyone got what they paid for – and more.
Time to Say Goodbye
Let’s bid Au Revoir to this year’s epic festival, and let’s welcome next year’s edition as it was already announced. So, mark your calendars and set your reminders, because Mystic Festival will return next year, bigger and bolder than ever before! Join us from June 4th to June 7th, 2025, as we once again unite under the banner of metal, with a lineup that promises to satisfy every craving.
