Ahead of their appearance at Damnation Festival next month, Aksel Holmgren from The Great Discord tell us which bands you should check out at this years festival.

01 Bloodbath – ‘Blasting the Virginborn’

My quintessential death metal song. I love everything about this, the melodies, harmonies and atmosphere. An example to be followed. And a force to be reckoned with as a live act.

02 Dying Fetus – ‘Kill Your Mother, Rape Your Dog’ (Live version from Infatuation of Malevolence)

We have some fond memories of playing this song from our shitty boom box during the summer festivals around 2004-2005. When you needed to pick the party up, play some Dying Fetus, especially this one. Over the top br00talz.!

03 Psycroptic – ‘Initiate’

Tasmanian tech death, what’s not to love here? After seeing the Haley brothers do their thing in Melbourne around 2010, can’t wait to see them again.

04 Leprous – ‘Rewind’

The band with “that drummer”. This is the song with “that drum pattern”. Incredibly cool song, and a very infectious chorus.

05 Pg. Lost – ‘Terrain’

Our brothers, with what might be their heaviest song. Do yourself a favour and catch these guys live and you might get to see G (The Pickle) do some Dillinger moves.

06 The Great Discord – ‘Eigengrau’

Shameless self promotion is always in order, and this song is too much fun to miss. We promise a spectacle.

07 Agent Fresco – ‘Dark Water’

Never heard these guys before I saw them in the line-up. Really like what they’re doing, definitely catching their set. I hear some kinship with Leprous.

08 Leng T’che – ‘Fist of the Leng T’che’

Another tongue-in-cheek type song. How can you not crack up while listening to this intro? I love a bit of humour in music and this is awesome.

09 Myrkur – ‘Byssan Lull’

This is a song that probably every child learns in Scandinavia, usually used for when you want your kid to go to sleep. Myrkur really captured the mournful aspect of the song and inflated that feeling. Can’t wait to see it live.

10 Nails – ‘You Will Never Be One Of Us’

Sheer aggression, listening to this song is cathartic and perfect for when you just want to clear your head with an audial hammer. Never seen these guys live before, can’t wait.