| Devilstone Open Air | |
| Location: | Anykščiai, Lithuania |
| Years Active: | 2009–present |
| Dates: | mid-July 2015 |
| Genre: | Rock, metal, alternative, electronic music[1] |
Devilstone Open Air (aka "Velnio Akmuo" in Lithuanian) is a summer open air heavy metal music festival.[2] It takes place annually since 2009 in the town of Anykščiai, in Lithuania. Devilstone Open Air has included performers playing black metal, death metal, power metal, thrash metal, sludge metal, doom metal, post rock, stoner rock, and progressive rock music genres. Music bands from Europe, North and South America, and Australia have performed in the festival. Devilstone Open Air is usually held in the mid-summer, around the third weekend of July.
Next to live music performances, Devilstone Open Air has workshops, masterclasses, a club night called Rocktheque, sports tournaments, and other activities. The festival owns the rights to a one-of-a-kind growling/screaming/grunting competition MC Growl.[3]
In 2009 Lithuanian Association of Exorcist labeled the band Sepultura, who were announced to play at the festival, as ‘satanic’ based on their lyrics.[4] Local church spoke against the festival’s choice of title. In 2010 Mayhem performed at the festival. After their performance, the local priest collected photographic evidence and went to the Ministry of Justice with a request to investigate the band's performance.[5] The priest supported by a group of believers claimed that “Norwegian band Mayhem, that took part in the festival, incited religious hatred.”[6] In 2011 the band Ondskapt performed at the festival. During the performance the band member Kim stepped out naked onto the stage creating a resonance within the society.[7] In 2012 six Lithuanian towns held religious adorations for the festival’s audience[8] and a faithful congregation prayed next to the festival gates.[9]
| Year | West stage | East Stage | Gamma Stage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Sepultura, Keep of Kalessin, Code, Sinister, Azarath, Dissimulation, Bilocate, Trauma, Obtest, Crocell, Diabolical, Frailty, Heaven Grey, Leprous, Luctus, Nahash, Saples, Stranger Aeons, The Prowlers, Žas. | No second stage. | No third stage. |
| 2010 | Mayhem, Grave, Tankard, Nightmare, Pantheon I, White Skull, Dominanz, Devious, Battalion, Helevorn, Argharus, Gorath, Izegrim, Valkyrja, Lie In Ruins, Scythian, Semargl, Burying Place. | No second stage. | No third stage. |
| 2011 | Inquisition, Benediction, Susperia, Forgotten Tomb, October Tide, In Mourning, Ondskapt, Hellish Outcast, Deville, Obtest, Paralytic, Gama Bomb, Mutant, Pergalė, Anomaly, Decadence, Savage Messiah, Soul Stealer, Mandragora, Pekla, Life’s Edge, Stiffer, Nahum, Muscat. | No second stage. | No third stage. |
| 2012 | Anathema, Aura Noir, Alcest, Lake of Tears, Kampfar, Enforcer, Scarab, Thornafire, Dead Shape Figure, Horricane, Paralytic, Sanctimony, Inquisitor, Ossastorium, Lucifer. | Hexvessel, Truckfighters, Soundarcade, New Keepers Of The Water Towers, Haken, Blowback, Honcho, The Grand Astoria, 9Horizon, Warbringer, Demonical, Lucky Funeral, Spiral, Freaks On Floor, Wulture. | No third stage. |
| 2013 | Enslaved, Shining, Avulsed, Vomitory, Koldbrann, Angelus Apatrida, Kongh, Wolf, Argharus, La Chudra, Cantilena, Exile Into Suffery. | Orange Goblin, Kadavar, Samsara Blues Experiment, Tides from Nebula, Stoned Jesus, Battalion, Stiffer, The Perfect Pill, Indygo, Taine, Tesa. | No third stage. |
| 2014 | Arch Enemy, Devlsy, Evil Invaders, Havok, In Solitude, Inquisition, Juodvarnis, Mord'a'Stigmata, Obscure Sphinx, Pergalė, Preternatural, Vader, Villainy. | Birth of Joy, Blues Pills, Church of Misery, Coogans Bluff, Extravaganza, Get Your Gun, Lucifer, Metal Messiah, Minor Modesty, Nevesis, Necroriser, pg.lost, Shining, Suma, Talbot, Tesa, Turbowolf. | Feedbak, Jimmy Glitschy, Monkey Tank, North Bend, Omerta, Show Me a Dinosaur. |
| 2015 | Katatonia, Suicidal Angels, Striker, Lost Society, The Moth Gatherer, Kontinuum, Kataklysm, Dust Bolt, Au-Dessus, Phrenetix, NRCSSST, Eschatos, Goresoerd. | Motorama, Greenleaf, Stoned Jesus, Marduk, Maybeshewill, Belzebong, Tombstones, Radio Moscow, Planet of Zeus, Omerta, Sraigės efektas, The Vintage Caravan, Pyro Trees, The Stubs, Stormgrey. | No Real Pioneers, Förtress, Fashion Games, Hellhookah, The Chillibows, Non-Playable Character, Art of Keeping Secrets, Faršas. |
In 2009-2013 festival also had a very small stage titled MetalClinic dedicated for music improvisations, competitions, surprise performances, Masterclasses, workshops, MC Growl fights. Anyone capable and willing to play a music instrument can use this stage for performance.