We were on the verge of yet another war related event. The fear that the supposed attendees won't be heading out of their homes, the fear of the event's promoter, Zakk Belkin, that the entire festival, upon its 12 band lineup, including locals bands from veteran to newcomers will sink into oblivion. After all the reports on the news, along with the drafts of additional reserve soldiers, expectance of the event's failure or mainly due to the crisis in Gaza, the original lineup shrunk to 7 bands only while some of the bands were replaced. Believe me if that was the overall atmosphere on stage, you could easily guess what went through the minds of those that actually attended the event.

The city of Ra'anana, at the beginning of the conflict, was considered as pretty much safe to be in, surely not a desired place for rockets. Apparently two weeks before the event it was rather safe and almost without alarms or rocket threat. However, as the event grew closer, and situation in the south turned grim, the threat grew stronger and there was quite a concern for lack of attendance right before opening the doors.

Surprisingly, slowly the venue started filling with Metalheads, and as the second band went on stage, I saw Belkin ushering another register. It would seem that the low expectancy rate of attendees blew off just like another rocket interception throughout the Central and Southern Israel. 150 people in overall as the more came bursting through the doors. Belkin himself, throughout the event, had to remain outside due to masses of folks that pouring in the place. Later on, he conveyed his apologies for not being able to attend most of the shows, yet at least he was able to rise up on stage in some point to say a few words and present several of the bands, of course thanking the capacity crowd for their persistence and courage upon heeding the call of the event.

I have the feeling that it won't be the last event that Belkin would crown it as a success, therefore, you have to stay tuned of what is going as Matehet has quite a potential due to its dedication for the local scene.
 

REMORSELESS WAR, a band of 17-18 year olds from G'dera, opened the event, for their first time live. I have to point out to the band's benefit, that not a lot of bands on their debut shows receive such a widespread attention like these guys had. Quite a pleasure indeed, lots of attendees and wild energies. Frankly, there was this sensation and worries from the get go, the soundcheck period, at least from the band's end. However as the songs came down knocking, a powerful show was introduced, hailing with Melodic Death Metal with touches of Hardcore. No doubt this is a band that knows how to mix between the genres, right from the vocalist's singing qualities through the melodic keyboards' playing to the implementation of the traditional Metalcore breaks and elements.
 

 

The band is about to release an EP, and there is already enough material for an album. Furthermore, the band is attempting to hit the stages nowadays as much as possible. There is something very promising about newcomer bands, showing their worth as a top priority to score some points.

Still there is somewhat rawness in their stage act, more paddle to the Metal should do it right next time around. On the other hand, I expect to reach far while also representing the Israeli scene with pride alongside the veteran acts.
 

For TALPA, hailing from Netanya, everything actually started from a music school named MyTone. Like the early act, TALPA's age spectrum is rather similar, other than the band's bass player which is 20 years old. It was the band's third show, yet their schedule is already full with more opportunities in the near future. TALPA has been out there since 2011 and it would appear that plenty has changed for them, whether through a name change to personal. They have been defining themselves as Alternative Metal, yet after listening to them it is actually hard to sum their music into a single label as their character is much more developed.
 

On stage I could notice the band's specials. Starting with the diverse rhythms coursing speed and rage, raspy tones of the vocals with several clean lines. While smoking between photo sets, I was asked who was singing, and if there was a backing vocals. I told them that it was almost 90% a female vocalist, part of the band's freshness. Bands like TALPA emphasizes that something good is going on in the local scene, maybe a game changer for the Metal scene. Frankly it would be a shame to miss what the band is planning for us. They seem to be hard workers, with promising material and with possibly a new single ready to be unleashed this summer.
 

The Thrash Metal band, MADHOUSE, hailing from Modi'in, total loons, another newcomer act of teenagers with a 14 year old vocalist. There is a lack of solid Thrash bands in Israel, so there you have a truly nice one, kicking and screaming of youth. As promised throughout their social networking, an earthquake of Thrash was upon us.
 

MADHOUSE performed in two recent local fests, one of them was the local Thrashfest. These guys have got quite the energies to pound, yet there are several weak spots which I presume that in time would be taken care of. No doubt that there is a potential within their rotten minds, however, the lack of maturity shows on the music. I believe that it is too early to tell where these guys are headed, yet time would be catalyst in their case, hopefully to the bigger stages.
 

When it comes to psychotic Thrash, one has to know SINNERY. Throughout their existence they have been outlining themselves as Progressive Thrash / Heavy Metal, "enough said" one would imply, it sounds heavy right from the genre definition. The formed, like many in the past, due to their utmost affection and admiration for Thrash Metal, yet with several uniqueness of Progressive Metal. However, from what I conjured through their stage act, bone crushing is the right duo of words for their style.

Through their show, it was destructive, bombastic, strong energies, moshpits and even a cool wall of death. The band tore the place a part as if it was the last place for them to perform ever again. It was now or never for them.  At times I had to run for my life due to the compelling madness storming near the stage.

For a rather newcomer band, of only two years, they have been able to put out two demos on YouTube:
 

Currently the band is working on their debut album, "A Feast Of Fools", and like of every firstborn of Thrash, the anticipation is for a blasting old school combustion.

Same as their Thrash counterparts, BY WILL ALONE, craving Hardcore with harsh tweaks of Electro, have been having their way for the past two years. Outwardly nowadays kids like this Hardcore stuff with the Electro vibe, not that I am one of the old relics, yet my knowledge of sheer headbanging is from the old school music of Metal. But what the hell…
 

While in the past it was a rather rare direction in the local Metal scene, today it is everywhere, and at times it makes me sick. Kids calling themselves Metalheads call this the new Metal, as if they know anything at all. But time will tell, as they have no idea of what is in store within the realm of Metal. Finding Metalcore might do the trick, which isn't bad from time to time. As it would seem, there is an actual Hardcore scene in Israel, which is quite popular, better believe it.

Though I found it hard to be mesmerized from the band's show and material, and nothing could really surprise me in this style of music, I still had a good time taking photos of these guys. I believe that it was one of the fewest times that I actually had the opportunity to shoot a Hardcore band. One of them actually had a laptop and a small mixer, felt invisible, a backstage member, but either way his off world presence actually caused mania throughout the audience. Furthermore, I had the chance to shoot skilled musicians, and as an artist, I like to capture these special moments.
 

The band has been fairly active, plenty of shows, variety of merch on sale and also teasing with their upcoming debut "Towers Before Us":
 

Covering SEPERATION ANXIETY was no stranger to me, therefore I find no reason of reintroducing them again. However, I will give you just a small percentage of their dossier, if you had the chance to forget a few details. The band has been there since 2009, went through turmoils with lineup changes, other than the consistency of the lead vocalist / guitarist. Their appearance on MatehetFest was the new lineup's second gig, and judging by what I saw, they seemed motivated and well integrated, especially with an enhanced connection with the audience.
 

Without fear, the band unleashed their chaotic old school Death Metal that ruptured the stage with its presence. The end of the world was once again upon our doorstep with the consummation of "Confirmation Of Death" and the pastoralism of "Brutal Clash". Apocalyptic squalls swarmed through "Winds Of Apocalypse", hailing "Famine" that affirmed its malediction cradling "Gog & Magog War", which served as a memorial for the recently fallen soldier Guy Boyland, a dear Metalhead and a brother, that died in the cursed war in Gaza.
 

Even with the debut album yet to hatch, the band is working on new material along with a video consisting of various live cuts.

The clowns from Rishon Lezion, OLD TIME JESTER, not a kind of humorous Metal that you think. Indie Metal, that is what they term themselves. Have you heard about this Metal subgenre? And if you did were there that many? Probably not.

It was my second time listening to their tunes, and I had my expectations, one of the first bands that I had to check out on YouTube before seeing them live:
 

I was very pleased by what I had seen, quite a quality band, investing a lot of effort into their music to sound uncanny. High quality recordings also provided enough thoughts of their live performance and it happened and in full. A perfect unison of music and lyrics.

You might think of an evil clown laughing right at you, a strong stooge with a lot of nerve. This one has the power to inflict painful gestures; those that would make your skin crawl. Apparently the band did the same.

Truth be told, I just summarized my past experience with the band and not the current one? Why you ask? Well, simple, I was one of the few that actually took the time to stay behind and check them out. Too bad for those who missed them, it was quite a treat, loads of fun and at least something out of the ordinary to think about. I think that folks should remain till the last chord is played and not until the last band they admire finishes playing. But I guess that it would take time to have everyone sink in to that.
 

At least if you weren't there, check their last released tune:
 

MathetFest introduced me to a variety of new voices within the local Metal scene. Some have been distant and some were less. On the other hand, one can't turn a blind eye to the progress and the new generation of Metal slowly growing and taking its place, ready to say goodbye to the veterans. A sea of potential in the palm of one's hands to see and listen to, numerous of promising musicians with great abilities, and the only way it up.

Even due to the our current state of affairs, with the war and all, I was proven again, that there was folks that are tough to handle, tough to unchain, they need music, the brutal kind and with as much blood as possible.