The second day of the Mystic Festival began with the same raw energy as the first, my enthusiasm undiminished by the colder weather and the few hours of sleep I managed to snatch. The Friday crowd swelled like a tidal wave, transforming my trips from the Park Stage to Ul. Elektryków’s stages into a challenging adventure. As a music journalist, organization and time management are also crucial qualities needed during such an event.
Today’s lineup promised thrills, with Paradise Lost and Accept standing out as the must-see acts for me. Paradise Lost, the masters of doom and gloom, had their setlist decided by fans – a wildcard move that promised unexpected treats. Accept, with the incredible guitarist Wolf Hoffmann, was another beacon of anticipation. I’d seen them tear up the Ergo Arena years ago, and their placement on the Park Stage felt like an injustice – they deserved the Main Stage spotlight.
Pre-festival research had also piqued my interest in Pigsx7, and their performance was a visceral punch to my senses. I crave more than just good music at a gig; I also want potential stunning visuals. Pigsx7 exploded onto the Desert Stage, with lead singer Matt turning it into his personal playground. He wielded his mic like a shaman’s staff, jumping, running, and even sprawling on the ground. Their blend of punk rock with a dash of AC/DC thunder electrified the air, each riff met with roars of approval from the packed crowd. It was a loud, fast-paced performance, hitting hard from the first note to the last. And it was with reluctance that I had to run to another stage, pushing my way through a sea of happy fans.
But let’s rewind to the day’s early afternoon hours. Blood Command kicked things off on the Park Stage with a compelling set, their fusion style catching the audience off guard. The onstage performance by the lead singer was somehow intriguing and provocative at times. Crowbar followed, dragging their sludgy riffs across the stage and into the eager ears of their fans.
In stark contrast, Mimi Barks‘ set late at night on the Sabbath Stage was unforgettable – dark, provocative, and utterly unique. Insomnium brought their melodic death metal to the Main Stage, the cold air matching their sombre tunes and drawing a sizable crowd. It was a solid performance, with a very good contact with the public, and I will ask for more in case they come back to Poland in the future. I’m still exploring their discography days after the end of Mystic. Life of Agony kept the momentum with a set that honoured their legacy, pleasing fans with a mix of old and new.
Paradise Lost eventually overcame technical hiccups on the Main Stage and delivered a setlist crafted by the audience themselves, capped with a surprising cover. Accept‘s performance on the Park Stage, featuring hits and tracks from “Too Mean to Die“, was very solid but left me wishing they had performed on the Main Stage.
The climax of the day was Megadeth on the Main Stage. For many, they were the day’s crown jewel, delivering a powerhouse set of classics and new tracks with minimal interaction with the public letting the music speak volumes.
It was a day drenched in musical diversity and unforgettable moments. Despite a quick shower from the Gods, the day went as smoothly as a well-rehearsed guitar solo. And bands from across the metal family took to the stages, each bringing their unique style to the festival’s rich program.
Meanwhile, the ultra-Catholic group, a tiny-tiny but vocal contingent, stood at the gates, their presence a reminder of the ongoing cultural clash. They held signs and chanted slogans, their faces etched with stern determination. To them, the festival was a bastion of hedonism, rebellion, and disrespect against Jesus their saviour, a threat to their moral fabric. I have a question though, at which side of the gates is hell? Was it inside the festival grounds, where thousands celebrated life through the cathartic release of music? Or was it outside, where a handful stood in judgment, condemning what they couldn’t understand? The gates seemed less like a barrier and more like a threshold between two worlds – one vibrant and inclusive, the other rigid and exclusionary.
And so, the day ended better as it had begun, with music in my heart, stars in my eyes and tunes dancing in my ears, looking forward for the last day of Mystic.
As I reached my bicycle, the sounds of the festival still roaming in the distance, I felt a sense of peace wash over me. The promise of one more day, another opportunity to immerse myself in the music and the community, filled me with excitement. Tomorrow would bring new bands, new sounds, and new memories to cherish, photograph and write about. And a long expected band, But that, you will read it in our last part of Mystic Festival 2024
