In the current state of affairs in Israel, mostly due to the harsh reality of war, most people are afraid to step out of their homes, needless to say to see music shows or perform, whether it is a local or a foreign act. I think that what is so unique in our Metal scene is the fact that we aren't afraid, we are strong people and this war didn't stop this event from happening. Though there were rather negative expectations regarding its outcome, it was a sheer success.

While the country is at war, with rockets constantly being fired on Southern and Central cities, at the Gagarin Club in Tel Aviv reality appeared different as four major titans of the Israeli Metal scene clashed on stage. Right before 21:00 fans emerged at the entrance, rushing through the gates and actually filled up the place.

Whoever knows the local scene has to admit that this is quite an interesting lineup. In general, the producers and promoters like to form band lineups consisting of bands that have the same Metal subgenre without any surprises. However, this time it was rather different in comparison to most cases. Throughout the event, bands of Deathcore, old school Thrash, old school Death and Gothic Doom Metal played on the same stage as if it was a mini festival in the making.
 

SON OF BELIAL, entailing a crew of five, hailing from Ma'ale Adomim, opened the event. Without a doubt these guys can put up a show, probably the best in the country when it comes to Deathcore, and believe me I had my share of listening to local bands of the same. I could surely say that I have a warm spot for everything that is considered "Core", but the foremost act for yours truly is LAMB OF GOD.
 

The thing with SON OF BELIAL is their ability to carve through the "Core" subgenre and gut out the interesting parts, its spike. And they have quite a definition to what they are playing, it is fairy long but you can check it on their Facebook page. However, seeing them on stage is a totally different experience. While most of the local scene has been swept by a dry and banal wave of "Core" bands, at least as I reckon, finally this Hardcore infliction is awarded with character, balls and an Israel aura.

Recently the band released two demos on YouTube, which one of them actually sounded pretty good and in high quality:
 

Throughout its 4-5 years of existence, SON OF BELIAL hadn't come to the point to zero in on arranged material, thus with no ability to produce even a mini release. And now the IDF already endorsed them to its ranks. It might sound false but the military has its way on changing people and cut ties, yet I hope that the guys will remain within the Metal realm and stay strong. Maybe one day, if they will remain active, a debut album will come out as a deadly blessing. Whoever had the chance to see them live for the last time, as two of the members were already drafted to the IDF, was treated with the best performance ever. I wish them the best of luck and may they remain Metalheads in their hearts to be seen and heard from again.
 

Supposedly, SINTAX, from Jerusalem, is one of the scene oldest bands, though not that accurate actually. The band treaded its first steps in 2010, yet its members have been active in the scene for almost two decades.

There is something very invigorating about SINTAX, other than them originating from the Holy City, or their looks and old school sound. Something that sheds light on plenty of depth and personality. The band has been describing itself as a mixture of Thrash Metal with Hardcore Punk, yet with a special Jerusalem sagacity. Frankly, aside with the powerful words, they sounded old school Thrash to me, dirty and in your face.
 

The band's frontman, which is considering himself as an ancient caveman, acted as his nickname with plenty of primitive stairs and gazes, pretty wicked. The two guitarists share the frontman's décor, attaining the band's inspirational showmanship. The band's stage presence awakened an old feeling, archaic and brutal, the will to raise one's fist in the air and do a tough face, which is not bad at all for a person that grew up on icons such as TESTAMENT, SLAYER, EXODUS etc.

Most of the band's material, though straightforward and attacking, is natural politics while the last song that came out as a lyric video recently has war sirens bestowed:
 

Actually through their performance there was a siren and a rocket was shot down by the Iron Dome right above the club. It was discovered later that due to the band's high volume playing the siren outside was never heard. But hey, the show must go on and so are the headbangings and moshpit circles, every ounce of good and positive energy that this genre has to offer.
 

The Clash Of The Titans producers and organizers, SEPARATION ANXIETY from Netanya, has been on for the past five years, released a debut EP named "Asylum":
 

Also the band is about to unleash its debut full length, "Winds Of Apocalypse". You can check out a teaser of the album's self-titled song right here:
 

For those that know a few facts about this band, this band replaced all its members other than their vocalist / guitarist, Slava Fedorov. The last couple of years has been the band's peak and downfall. Starting with a gathering of substantial fan base, supporting SEPTICFLESH in Israel but then toppling asunder. Thanks to Fedorov, the band rose from its ashes in 2013, setting stone a lineup that debuted in this event. On a personal note, it was quite an emotive moment, seeing a band back to action, giving its whole on stage with old school Death Metal prowess, preaching about the world's demise. This is survival folks.
 

Furthermore, I was touched by the fact that part of the band's members went up on stage for the first time in years, yet they appeared as if they have been playing together for ages. It started with the dexterity and precision of the drummer (also of the Black Metal band ARALLU), continues with a powerful bass player, prolific lead guitarist that is showing its worth no less than Marty Friedman in is hey days and of course the rough growl itching from the center spewed out of the lungs of the lead vocalist, with a V shaped guitar in his hands.
 

There is that expectancy for something good, especially for one that has been a witness to the band's progress, yet the band's performance was beyond my imagination and what I could have wished for. The new material is staggering and I can't wait to listen to the final product.

EDELLOM, hailing from Kfar Saba, was the final band for the evening, and for a good measure, it slowly turned down a notch with something a bit soothing.
 

In comparison to the event's lineup, the Gothic / Doom Metal thrust of EDELLOM was quite a treat, immersing my ears with a bit of bliss, far away from the high levels of distortion and fast pace tempo madness right into the belly of a slow paced, cold winter night. The band introduced a kind of freshness in the image of female and male vocal exchanges and duets, quite distinct in their voices and the clang between them as they sang. Truth be told, there are barely Doom Metal bands in Israel, so I guess that it was a dessert after all.

The band's bass player / vocalist really had me going with his vocal abilities; I was really astonished by his talents exploring such a low guttural growl, bone crushing, like a beast roaring into the microphone. The female vocalist, as expected, eased up the harshness with a comforting voice, inspiring the darkness of the front end. The slow paced rhythms, and the general bleak atmosphere, couldn't leave me apathetic to their existence.
 

Even though it has never been quite easy for me to attach myself to this kind of Metal subgenre, yet in the case of EDELLOM, considering the standards of the Israeli scene, these guys are special and lately have been talked about quite often. Also, it is evident that these guys work hard to be recognized, and as an emphasis you can check their number of recent shows, quite a number.

I might have wished for more energy from this band, even with the female vocalist doing a little bit more than just swaying like the beautiful flower that she is. I also believe that a bit more action would have garnered this band an edge that could have been a sort of a beauty caressing the beast, which is evident through the band's latest single:
 

To summarize the event, I must imply that I am very proud of the Israeli audience, for the courage and strength, against what is expected of them to be acting in war time, lots of them showed up. They showed that they are tough to beat and nothing will stand in their way on the road to headbang their heads off.