reporting on a few of bands, this article could be filled up with wonderful and unique accounts from all of the two-dozen bands who played over the weekend.

MIDNIGHT

Midnight was one of the largest bands on the Shadow Woods bill and played on the second night. I was curious to see how many people would fill the enormous field in which the main stage was set up, and by Midnight’s second song, it certainly looked more filled, but not to capacity. In fact, a large group of people were by the fire to the side of the stage slowly drinking beer and flicking cigarettes into the flames.

Midnight is certainly for people who want to have fun, as their brand of black/speed worship is perfect for people who love oldMan and hardcore hybrids from bands like Hivelords and Black Table, the diversity in bands at Shadow Woods became more apparent as the weekend progressed. If one wanted to experience fog-drenched, Sabbath-style doom from Occultation and then atmospheric black metal under a cloudy moon from Falls of Rauros, it was only a matter of a short walk.

ASHAGAL

Ashagal was the least metal band at the festival. I do not mean in spirit, but rather in the fact that it was a bagpipe, hand-drum, acoustic-guitar combo who devoted themselves to folk songs of pagan tales. Even though this band came particularly early on the opening day of the festival, their presence was both odd to behold as well as fitting while nestled within the wooded amphitheater stage.

Before they started each