Review - Darkness Over Cumbria May 2026 - Day 2

Photography and words by BeckyKat Kaptures

To begin our descent today we have Evil Dungeon Crawler, 'old school' black metal from Newcastle. 

They put on a true black metal stage performance adorned with corpse paint, studs, blood and a cape. 

They are fast paced and included impressive technical guitar work. 

Second today we have Ominous Convent, London based black metal in its purest form. 

They have a dramatic stage presence, there's a masked drummer, corpse paint, studs and a stabbed bloody tomb of a book. Powerful melodic riffs, incredible female screams. 

And already we have our first pit of the day, things are already really moving. They really put on a commanding stage performance. 

So the next act was going to be Mourning of the Heretic however on their travels from Ireland they experienced ferry issues. So stepping in we were treated to unique locals, Thy Dying Light. They have an interesting set up with their drummer and guitarist/vocalist facing the drummer not the audience. 

Mighty riffs and beats which keep coming with speed. This is a demanding atmospheric performance which continues the pit. Guest performances during this set and additional vocalist performance towards the end to add to this epic set.

To drags us into dusk, Dreich take the stage. A corpse painted Scottish depressive black metal 5 piece. 

They bring a foreboding atmosphere and sight with nooses hanging from the roof beams. Powerful sometimes chuggy chords speed along as the day gives way to night. A haunting emotive presence takes over the festival. 

Bringing us into the second half of the day Stahlsarg enter the stage. This long serving East Anglian underground black metal band are back after performing here 2 years ago. Dominating the stage with band and crowd interaction, with the guitarist even moshing in the pit which continues throughout their set. 

Stahlsarg always bring black metal entertainment never just a musical event. 

As the sun disappears from the sky Sanctvs take the stage. These Canadian/French black metalers have travelled a long way to be here tonight. Immediately I love them as they light fragrant incence. They are intense, face paced blast beats they really build the atmosphere. Energy keeps driving the momentum as the crowd keeps moving. 

Cnoc An Tursa are the penultimate band this evening, Scottish folk black metal. They create a great atmosphere with their doomy but speedy riffs. Melodic sounds but fast paced. These kilt clad musicians drive us into the night with their darken folk mood. 

Completing our brutal selection of bands for the day we have tonights headliners Cènotaphe, all the way France. This black metal band give us a great show. They have samples which give a floaty feel and blasts that really kick in creating brutal sounds scapes. They keep building the momentum as the pits keep on going bringing the second days show to a frenzied conclusion.

Ending our evening we follow a procession of flaming torches to find Barry the Blackwater Baptist ready to baptise those willing. We all join in the nights call "All you fornicating bastards are going to burn. But I have gained redemption"

First festival I've been to that ends like this but this dark ritualesque ending is perfect for this event.

Event is organised by Wulfhere Productions