Desert Hel is a two-day festival showcasing stoner rock and doom metal, which has been organized since 2020. As the 2021 event was postponed due to COVID-19, this year’s edition marked the fourth installment. The festival was held from April 19th to 20th, 2024 at Tiivistämö in the Suvilahti area. Once again, the lineup featured some intriguing international acts, including the stalwart stoner rockers TRUCKFIGHTERS from Sweden and the Italian doom rock band MESSA, who have been steadily gaining international acclaim. Alongside these international acts, there were eight bands from the elite of the Finnish scene, plus a bonus cover act to cap off Saturday.
The festival took place on a single stage at the Tiivistämö main hall, with a DJ act at the bar. This setup allowed for a well-paced timetable with breaks between bands. Each night, performances commenced shortly after seven in the evening, with the international headliners taking the stage closer to midnight.
Despite ongoing renovations in the Suvilahti area, navigating to Tiivistämö proved a bit challenging. Nonetheless, the festival saw considerable success, with Saturday’s tickets sold out and Friday’s attendance nearly reaching capacity. Conversations among attendees between shows indicated that the artists exceeded expectations, leaving the crowd happy as they departed each night.
Saturday kicked off with the high-energy performance of Tampere-based SKYJOGGERS. The audience was already dancing up a storm by the time the space rock trio launched into their first tunes. It’s no surprise that this band has been making waves in Europe and is set to tour Germany following Desert Hel.
Following them was DOME RUNNER, leaning more toward the industrial metal genre. The aggressive band evoked echoes of bands like SEPULTURA, delivering a tight performance driven by powerful rhythms.
The third act on Saturday was the captivating I AM THE MANSION, with their biblical-themed doom. The band’s concept of delivering God’s judgment on sinners was both fascinating and well-executed on stage. However, their appeal goes beyond their thematic concept; their music is carefully crafted and effectively conveys their message.
While I AM THE MANSION had the audience contemplating sin and repentance, MAAN TOMU wasted no time in reigniting the party atmosphere. With a six-person lineup featuring two guitars, bass, drums, a synth, and two percussionists/brass players, the band elevated their sound to new heights.
Once the party was in full swing, the Swedish stoner rock trio TRUCKFIGHTERS took the stage, delivering a highly anticipated performance. Guitarist Dango’s energetic stage presence, bouncing around in shorts like a wild aerobics instructor, took the live energy to another level. The band quickly won over the audience, culminating in some spirited singalongs by the end of their set.
After TRUCKFIGHTERS‘ sweaty performance, THE ONE INCH BAND treated the audience to a cover set of songs by the legendary stoner unit KYUSS. Despite some attendees departing after TRUCKFIGHTERS‘ show, the well-known songs resonated with those who stayed, providing a fitting afterparty for those in no hurry to leave.
Check our photos from Desert Hel‘s Saturday here…
Skyjoggers
Dome Runner
I Am the Mansion
Maan tomu
Truckfighters
One Inch Band plays Kyuss
