Darkness Entwined Festival 2025 - Saturday 19th July at Norwich Brickmakers

Photos and Words by BeckyKat Kaptures

Well it's great to be at a local show in one of Norwich's great music venues. An awesome night of metal has been arranged with the collaboration of Deadsoul Promotions and Power Promotions.

First up from our own city, Dismara. Self described Neo-Crust, start the night screaming with loud vocals, blast beats and ripping guitars. This night is off to a fantastic start. 

Next up Vulgaris, blackened heavy metal from London, bring some aggressively fast fury to the stage. Being both atmospheric but also harsh in their delivery. 

Ael Fierlen, black metal shoegaze from South England. The vocalist floats on stage almost ethereal in her appearance. Atmospheric wonder with strong chords bringing a head banging vibe too. This is a band with many elements all of which I love. 

Local atmospheric post-metal Koba follow, winner of this year's battle of the bands and heading to Bloodstock. 

Now, I was never a fan of instrumental bands, I thought you needed lyrics to get the feels. Koba have proved me wrong, they are hypnotic with swirling guitars drawing the crowd in so much so they move forward as if on command. 

If you, like me, do not believe in metal without lyrics I dare you to go see Koba. If you've missed the boat for Bloodstock you catch them again more locally at Reepham festival in August. 

Moon Reaper from Bristol is a blacken hardcore doom band. Their duel screaming vocals roar through the night and heavy hitting riffs with drums beats to match drive the night into a fury. A huge pit emerges due to an energy that cannot be contained. 

While aggressive musically the band, and crowd, are clearly having an amazing time. 

Returning for a rare close to home show at the Brickies, Stahlsarg hit the stage with a dark atmosphere of anticipation.  

They bring out new material to bathe us in new darkness, bringing new depth and horror, showing the incredible expanse of Stahlsarg’s repertoire.

Never ones to shy away from crowd interaction the vocalist and guitarist leave the stage to get involved in the pit. 

As always a darkened performance not easy to forget. 

Headlining this darkest of dark nights is Heathen Deity, True English Black Metal.  Bringing the classic look of corpse paint and spiked wristwear together.

Always an impressive performance with raw aggression from the guitars, relentless drums and vocals that cut into the night. 

They put on a grim and intense performance, the darkness taking over what has been a most incredible night.