Big deal? Absolutely.
For nearly two decades, Damnation has cultivated a reputation has a cultural beacon for heavy music. The annual congregation of metallic extremity has played host to some historic gigs since it's first established tenure in 2005, and has gone on to cement its legacy as the festival that continues to evolve while never compromising it's core identity.
While legends like Carcass, Napalm Death, Opeth, Cannibal Corpse, Bolt Thrower and The Dillinger Escape Plan have all delivered highlight, bill-topping sets, the same festival has offered a pulpit for cult champions like Anaal Nathrakh, Aura Noir, Asphyx, Cult of Luna, Big Business and Ulver to name just a very few. The fest's knack for programming underscores a nuanced understanding of pooling not just big names - but the right names and ever Damnation bill seems to raise the bar.
Damnation has even managed to do well in nurturing heavy new school, making a place at the table for still emerging outfits like Venom Prison, Svalbard, Pupil Slicer, and Imperial Triumphant - melding the contemporary with the classics in what has become a multi-generational mecca of heard, fast and loud.
For the 2022 edition, Damnation moved into new digs. Holding court at the Bowlers Exhibition Centre in Manchester, the transition was the first since 2007, where the fest had made a home at the University of Leeds since. Reiterating the growing appetite for heavy music and the fest's continued reach to fans existing and new, more than 5,000 fanatics turned up to ensure that Damnation 2022 lived up to the title of being Europe's largest indoor festival - both in size and scope.
Check the comprehensive photo gallery below including images from the fest's four monumental album plays, with At the Gates performing Slaughter of the Soul, Converge performing Jane Doe, Godflesh performing Streetcleaner, and Pig Destroyer taking on Prowler In the Yard in full.
AT THE GATES
CONVERGE
DECAPITATED
WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM
PUPIL SLICER
GODFLESH
ITHACA
PIG DESTROYER
MASTIFF
MISERY INDEX
INCANTATION
DESPISED ICON
DISTANT
MY DYING BRIDE
FULL OF HELL
IRIST
OCEANO
STYGIAN BOUGH
WE LOST THE SEA
