Review - Darkness Over Cumbria May 2026 - Day 1

Photography and words by BeckyKat Kaptures

Sadly I start this review with a tale of horrendous British roads (it should not take 8 hours to get from Norfolk to Cumbria!). 

Anyway that's the way of explaining why I only caught the end of the opening band tonight, Dislycan, "Olde Windsorian" Black Metal. 

But what an excellent band to hear while walking through woodland to a certain wooden cabin amongst a clearing.

They were corpsed up, dramatic and emotional. The vocalist writhing around on the ground in front of the stage. Strength from the guitarist and bassist and good forceful vocals. Perfect start to the evening. 

Secondly today we have Inhumanization, Polish blackened death metal. They deliver thrashy, chuggy riffs and heavy bass, alongside blast beats. It's fast paced with much headbanging. 

Also first pit of the night and only 2nd band in. Someone even attempted a stage dive. 

Inhumanization really heighten the atmosphere and got people moving. 

Lighted candles grace the stage for Úir. This atmospheric black metal band hail from Scotland. They have grungy, shoegaze and doomy elements within this spooky atmosphere.

There's a haunting synth like bass, emotions raw with the vocals and blast beats to compete this celtic 3 piece. 

Bone Tomb from County Durham hit the stage with their fast paced blackened thrash, blast beats and melodic riffs. 

This is a varied set with impressive guitar solos and a black metal cover of Iggy Pop The Passenger. As the sun goes down Bone Tomb keep the energy high. 

As the night takes over Deheubarth take on the stage. Bleak, unpleasant black metal from Wales. This is a great set with doomy guttural vocals, blast beats, speedy riffs and quick picking. 

There are unsettling cluggy parts with old school, expansive expressive sections. 

Deheubarth really progress us on into the darkness. 

Headliners tonight all the way from USA, Sardonic Witchery, old fashioned black thrash metal. Fronted by the mighty King Demogorgon, this 4 piece are highly tuned, fast paced with rhythm guitars, heavy riffs and blackened vocals. These guys are high energy and lots of fun. There's a heavy pit from the off that doesn't let up. It's an epic way to end the night. 

No ritual by Barry tonight but there will be baptisms tomorrow.

Event is organised by Wulfhere Productions