Demigod

Finnish traditional death metal band Demigod were the first to grace an outdoor stage at this year's MDF. The sweltering heat and beaming sun made it difficult to watch their performance, but the sound was impeccable, as the band unleashed a surge of intense groove and sawing guitar riffs. It's hard to believe that Demigod have disbanded and reformed a number of times, and have had several different members since their 1990 inception, as their live performance displays cohesiveness within the band. The 40-minute set was composed of non-stop aggression, as they almost never took a breather between songs. Vocalist Esa Linden growled through the performance with unmatched ferocity, particularly during "As I Behold I Despise" and "Transmigration Beyond Eternities" from their 1992 debut, Slumber of Sullen Eyes. And although these tracks are now 20 years old, they somehow have a contemporary sound, proving that Demigod have been able to stand the test of time quite well.