Debauchery – With Full Force – Ferropolis, Germany – June 23, 2017

Debauchery – “excessive indulgence in sex, alcohol, or drugs” (Google Dictionary) – is a band name and perhaps a reminder of what festival life could be like. However, at 3 am, the festival grounds were quite empty, and the 3:15-4:00 am set was attended by few. The bars were shutting down, most of the areas were closed, there were no after-parties, and the nearest city of Dessau is 30 minutes away.

Regardless, I was getting over my cold, so I thought I would stay up ‘til the sun came up to watch this German death band from Stuttgart. They most closely resembled Gwar, with their armor, face paint, distorted vocals, and stage props of nude women and hanging bodies, a meat hook, and a chain of skulls.

Their “Let There Be Blood” song off the 2013 Kings of Carnage summarizes what they’re all about – “Let there be war / Let there be gore / Let there be guts / Let there be blood.” It’s more than just death metal – it’s catchy, it’s groovy, it’s gore-filled, and it’s entertaining, while perhaps morbid.