Walking The Liminal Space

Fortress Festival

Scarborough, North Yorkshire

Spa Pavilion

30^th May – 31^st May 2026

All live pictures (except for the one noted ) courtesy of Andy Pountney (@shot_in_the_dark_photography2) Fortress House Photographer, in collaboration with Reaper Agency (@reaperagencyuk) and 3nation (@3nationpr). With immense thanks.

Pre-Ramble

It was a strange feeling to be back at Fortress Festival in once again sunny Scarborough. I had attended the debut festival three years back which had without doubt proved that it had its audience and that Gary and the (now award winning!) Reaper Agency team were absolutely the people for the job.

However my life changed. I became a full time carer. Days out, let alone nights out or weekends away, were now a thing of the past and so I missed the next two (despite having tickets for the second…) And since then, well, one gig in 18 months and 2 years since my last festival. With my always awkward social skills stunted by the reclusive nature of my new life this therefore was a nervous time for me. But I had the company of a good friend and my own constant reassurance that there would be people I knew there and some might even be happy to see me!

But I had rules for me. Take it easy, don’t try and see every band, relax and go with the flow. And don’t take a notebook for the first time in about a decade or more. So this is not a review, per se. This is instead a rambling of memories and feelings, bits and bobs and maybe a reason to treasure live music.

Venue

If you have never been, the venue itself is… like no other. A Spa complex overlooking the beach with an open concourse above the lovely chill out area and sun trap that is the open air food and seating area. Seeing such a bright place bustling with black clad black metal fans and the occasional knight in chainmail is a sight to see.

There are also three stages in the complex: The small but perfectly formed and fully seated (with balcony) theatre which was the venue for discussions on the Saturday and the Dungeon Synth sessions on the Sunday. The Ocean Room is off the upper concourse, a simple but roomy stage and bar room. The main stage though is the star; an absolutely superb main Victorian hall, excellent acoustics, balcony for old and short people like me and a stage large enough for some superb back and side screens and wonderful lighting.

With a large merch area outside that I have rarely been to a venue so well suited to a festival of this size. Packed, yes, but with so many little side areas and outside places a space to breathe was never far away.

As someone who experienced a mental health crisis brought on by overcrowding at a festival who shall remain nameless all I can say is that is it pretty much perfect. And it has a beach and ice cream…

Saturday

The pre-festival gig at a lovely local pub (ace pizza) was by all accounts excellent but I went for an early night – I wasn’t sure about entry requirements but it was clearly going to be justifiably packed and so I decide to avoid it sadly. We did meet up with a couple of good friends though so all good. I had an actual pint (and a half) at Craft which is my limit. All the better to rise early and get to the venue early-ish for the wristband queue having not arrived in Scarborough early enough for the early arrival handout.

I had decided I was probably going to have a short day today as the Sunday was more my thing but had an open mind to be honest.

So queue it was and, from the off I fell into chatting with the guy ahead of me, Mike. Turned out to be a true gent, so friendly and enthusiastic I felt myself immediately at ease. And we also discovered a mutual love for A Forest Of Stars (OK he trumped me with a tattoo 🙂 ) and he also suggested that festival openers Groza would be excellent having seen them in his native Massachusetts and also to watch out for Mesarthim who I hadn’t even heard of…

A man of excellent judgement it turned out…

A bit of merch mooching followed; bought some Black Cilice stuff as there was the new album out and was looking forward to their set and perused the rest. Had a very brief chat to Dayal Patterson (who incredibly always remembers me from writing stuff, which is so nice) and eventually found my way to the balcony for Groza.

They were…. oh man. First band, first day, first live music for 18 months and they were just goddamned awesome. Black gear, black veils, black hoodies, black metal full on but with such an intense atmosphere and melody to the music they had me hooked from the first song. The sound was great and the view from where I was superb. The screens were well used and their mic stand was beautiful.

It was so nice to look down at the people in the packed room below and just to feel the atmosphere. There really is nothing like it, especially having missed it for so long and Groza opened Fortress like a nailbomb.

(photo Gizmo)

I toddled across to the Ocean stage next for Black Cilice I love them on record but I have to be honest it didn’t hit for me. There were sound problems I think but… oh its difficult. I somehow feel their strange, distorted, dense sound is best suited for a dark small room, a close packed crowd and the feeling that the world outside no longer exists. I departed after about a quarter hour, a little sad as it was my failing. The crowd had clearly been enjoying it a great deal, which is excellent and I’m glad, but clearly I need to see them in circumstances more suited to my own image of feel for their unique and brilliant approach. My brain can be annoying and weird at times sabotaging me…

I had a fly by meeting up with some people including my good friend and photographer extrordinaire Andy Pountney who was one of the very talent team of house photographers. All this buoyed me up so much, I was feeling relaxed surrounded by this pleasant but committed crowd. It was a perfect welcome back for me.

Happy, I thought I’d take a look at Mesarthim as they had been reccomended. I was seriously not prepared for this lot…

With a singer whose face is obscured by a screen with a white spiral on black and undulating, cosmic abstracts on the screens they put on an absolutely incredible set. I didn’t realise that a) Euphoria Black Metal was a thing and b) that I really, really needed it my life. With huge keyboard sounds (live) they have created a unique take on black metal; the black metal riffs and vocals flow and power on with great force and the singer’s strange presence is capitvating and fantastically supported by the rest of the band. But, damn, when those keyboards hit…we get almost dance vibes, glowsticks in my mind and just this massive emotional uplift. But far far more importantly their talent at blending the black metal with this is spectacular. It’s not just bolted on, it flows through those furious riffs, spreads its wings around it and together create something utterly other-worldy. Cosmic black metal isn’t new but this… this take on it is brilliant and unique.

The day took a slightly random turn after this I admit. I took in a little of the Akercocke discussion but it was then apparent food was very much needed. Discussions led to the decision to head into town for something (don’t ask) and met up with two good festival friends of old for a sit down meal.

This stupidly on my part led to me realising that Midnight Odyssey would be halfway through their set and I was going to miss even the end. This was a bit of a blow as I have follow the work of Dis Pater for many years and was so looking forward to seeing what part of his body of work he was going to share.

I had forgotten about things like this. It was sad. Maybe it influenced my decision to cut short the day after another mooch amongst the stalls (I bought beard oil…..) but yes, despite the legends lining up for the rest of the evening (none of which bizarrely were on my ‘must see list’…) a bit of a pub drop in and a milkshake (huzzah!) and that was it, goblin mode engaged and an early night.

I know this might seem strange – I pay for a ticket, there are bands like Dodheimsgard and Old Man’s Child waiting to be experienced. But for a first festival back the fear of over stimulation was real and the Sunday was going to be a big day for me. So I was probably over cautious, but in the end content with the choices.

Sunday

Brain kickstarted by my travelling supplies of coffee (Black Coffee Worship of course) and instead for the forecast rain sunny skies over Scarborough once more we arrived pretty early for the Sunday. This was important as the first band on was A Forest Of Stars.

Far too long absent from the stage, they were greeted by a full crowd and such warm enthusiasm it was a joy to behold. The first riff hit perfect, hit hard and with the incredible animation of Curse’s artwork on the screen and the distinct sound of their violin woven, progressive black metal weirdness, we were all pulled into their world to see it through their eyes.

It was intense. Perhaps for a few early moments I sensed a little… trepidation from The Gentleman’s Club but it vaporised in the atmosphere and their own pleasure at being back on stage. Each member plays their particular part in the shadowplay, each a distinct voice and the blend is beautiful. ‘Not Drinking Water’ was a highlight live as it is on the album, and the strains of ‘Drawing Down The Rain’ were greet with huge enthusiasm from the crowd. I was lost in it, completely. The music flowed through me, around me and I truly found my place back in live music.

I skidaddled to their merch desk after, just to thank them and have a little chat as I am privileged to know them. But honestly one of the moments of the week was seeing drummer ‘John The Resurrectionist Bishop’ face when he saw the absolutely ridiculous queue for merch. They left the merch table looking like locusts had passed through, a couple of odd sized t-shirts the only survivors. This genuine love of the physical objects was a topic of conversation I had too – the fact that metal crowds but particularly the more..niche, perhaps…are passionate and committed and value their purchases and as importantly want to give money to the artists they love.

Long may that last.

I had a good long chat with the members of AFOS later, including a long overdue talk with Mr Curse which was so good and I kid you not you will not find a more lovely sand funny bunch of people. Supportive of each other without question and just lovely to be around. But that was later as the merch awaited and I was off to the Theatre for the Dungeon Synth!

Taking the place of Atlantean Sword, sadly ill (all the best for your recovery sir) I was presented with my first EVER taste of live dungeon synth in the form of Portcullis.

Apparently it was his first live performance too but you would not have guessed. He was wonderful. The animation behind him on screen was delightful and looked like some old Daggerspell period computer game (apparently all created by a friend of his) and the music was captivating. It was fine old school at its base but with such a fine layering of sounds. With a little percussion and (I shall now show my ignorance) ‘one of them there guitar synthesisers’ it was also remarkably captivating visually too. What an excellent introduction…

I had time for a little more wandering after. A few more chats. Met Forbidden KeepRecords at their table, grabbed some Mortiis and Old Sorcery vinyl and badges and some Fief merch at the Out Of Season table. I also at last made the acquaintance of The Matriarch herself of Matriarch Records who was working crew at the Festival. That was so nice; she is pleasant and enthusiastic and a pleasure to meet the person behind a label I admire greatly.

Then back to the Theatre and Fief. Damn. I literally have no idea what I can say other than if you haven’t you need to see him live. The musical dexterity and virtusity on display is superb. Again the film backdrop was a delight too but, oh, the music. The music. You forget that yards away, outside in the so called real world there are souvenir shops and flashing lights, cars and buses. Inside there was a world of magic. I realise that this dungeon synth thing does indeed work live. It works beautifully. Fief was the wizard we needed.

After a little wander and quiet I returned with the intention of seeing Emin Muil. But therein was a problem. The queue. It was terrifying. Out of the door onto the outside balcony, onto the concourse… I couldnt fae ot so missed them to my great regret. Food was obtained instead and I declared myself damned if I was going to miss Old Sorcery in their debut for the same reason. So I thought I’d hang around the Theatre early. Nope. There was already a queue so I joined it. We’re talking about 45mins before the performance.

This situation actually showed one of the strengths of the organisation around Fortress. I think the popularity of the dungeon synth mini-fest had perhaps caught people on the hop. I mean it was really well supported which was brilliant. But you can’t have queues up and down staircases and across doors and one of the security people took responsibilty, made decisions and it was sorted. People were let into the theatre early and my weird panic subsided. But that was a fine response. Goes to show; someone steps up and solves the problem. Responsive security like that is excellent.

Anyway I got into Old Sorcery (I also had to talk to staff about my leg – I have issues with it in seating and so most seats were not suitable for me and ironically the best one for me was also not anywhere close to the best seat in the house so I didn’t feel too guilty. And I was let into the balcony a little early). Old Sorcery were just something else entirely; the wizard and his shadows were utterly mesmeric throughout. Weaving spells more than playing synths with dramatic gestures and twisted stances; the atmosphere was dark and shivered with magic and I was as lost in their world in that theatre as I am at home in the dark of my room.

Next up for me was headliner Mortiis. I am not sure how to even approach this. Mortiis is a genuine legend, by all accounts a really cool gent to be around too (I have a couple of friends who have been in his company) and to me the Trollfather, the first musician to create music that I heard which was the sound of all those TTRPGs I played. As I noted in my recent review his other music is absolutely fantastic and I believe he has released his Best Album Yet outside of dungeon synth. But tonight it was into the dark dungeon music. The music and atmopshere, the audience are all intense and fantastic but again, for a first time experience, it is Mortiis himself that holds it all in focus. He has a strange and curious presence, inhabiting the mask, the prosthetics and becoming this fascinating creature. A knowing bob of the head here, a half almost sly smile there, the intensity of a craftsman working the raw material and creating magic.

I have never been to a gig like it. I have no real points of comparrison. A lone figure, kebyboards and a filmic background. And yet it is a dazzling stage show that sets sparks ablaze in my mind.

It was perfect. And with a fair amoun of discomfort in my leg it seemed the perfect end to my first foray back into the live arena.

Thinking Back

If you reached this far this is why I rarely review live events by choice. I’m not good at it even when I make notes. But this wasn’t about that. This was about reconnecting with a world that has been a defining part of my life since my teens that feared I had lost. I had so much apprehension about going to Fortress but my good friend Andy W with me and the Black Metal Huddle members sprinkled around for chats and the odd pint I slowly relaxed. Reconnecting with people I know only through gigs was a real pleasure, being remembered humbling. I met names I only knew online and they were all excellent to me. I had the chance to talk a lot with A Forest Of Stars and a certain Michael B of The Axis Of Perdition amongst others which was excellent.

I met people.

I talked.

I had a little imposter syndrome for sure but it was mostly quietened by how accepting people were of my social idiosyncrasies. I discovered three excellent new bands to delve into, discovered how glorious dungeon synth can be live. A saw A Forest Of Stars one more time. I was surrounded by fans of music I love and friends.

Fortess and Reaper Agency that’s what you gave me back. So from the depths of my heart; thank you.

Gizmo (yeah a selfie below…)