For the second time in history the infamous EAR TERROR unleashed hell upon the city of Emden, East Frisia. This time, ANASARCA’s Mike organized everything together with Mr Deichkot, namely Michael from TEARS OF DECAY. They booked the same venue again, so EAR TERROR 2002 didn’t get any bigger. In fact, the Friday even suffered from a significantly bad response as on that day somebody had put up a charity gig with DESASTER and HYPNOS just around the corner in Oldenburg. So actually only Saturday the venue was packed. The next problem was that once again two bands couldn’t show up: PROFANITY had to work that day and INGURGITATING OBLIVION’s drummer Dirk had to cancel the gig due to sickness (this is what happens when you play sick music!). So HARMONY DIES replaced PROFANITY and a band called PENIS JUICE stepped in for INGURGITATING. 

Unfortunately (?) we missed PENIS JUICE as Mr Cthulu tried to print out a statement why his band couldn’t play that day and the printer turned out to have a mind of its own. These things only happen when you’re in a hurry. Of course I asked around: what had PENIS JUICE been like? Well, some thought they were okay, others didn’t but as this was their first gig ever (at least so I was told), that’s not too bad I guess. I won’t start bragging about the band’s name. Not now.
Up next were GOREZONE who profitted from INGURGITATING OBLIVION’s cancellation as they weren’t the opening act any more. I’m not the band’s greatest fan but I really enjoyed their gig: they were banging their heads off, making fun, tumbling over each other and being absolutely sympathetic. Chaotic fun indeed. Their singer Torben obviously listened to DISGORGE and the likes lately as he sounded much deeper than on CD. Who called them BOREZONE? Not me, not me… So I was in the right mood when guitarist Markus confronted me with the new GOREZONE side project called EBOLA BEACH PARTY after the gig. Wanna know if I still was in a good mood after listening to that CD? Check out the review section…
The following band, EYE SEA from Bremen with ANASARCA’s Herb on drums had been described as big CRYPTOPSY fans. Probably because Mr Deichkot loves CRYPTOPSY so much and as he probably likes EYE SEA a lot as well… well, that’s just my theory ;-) the band looked far too colourful for my taste (check out the guitarist’s green shirt – huarrgh!). Secondly, one couldn’t make head or tail of the song structures and I doubt that this was because I didn’t know the material before. The band took it with humour that most of the audience left for the bar during the gig. 
Then it was time for Oldenburg’s very own OBSCENITY, the most professional band at EAR TERROR 2002. Great light show, good sound and aggressive as hell they dragged everybody in so that the crowd finally looked like a crowd! Marc’s drumming was impressive, Henne’s and Jens’ riffs and solos were awesome, Alex kept torturing his bass and although Oli always seems to be a little distanced, he was the one who actually put across the essence of aggression. Good mixture of old and new songs! 
Some people left after OBSCENITY but quite a few stayed, including myself, although I feared a desasterous assault on my ears like SANITY’S DAWN last year. I really didn’t understand that band. Well, INGROWING from the Czech Republic turned turned out to be dead cool. To my surprise I enjoyed their grind attacks and their singer was quite sympathetic as well, so everybody partied until the ‘bitter’ end which included encores from TERRORIZER and HAEMORRHAGE! Hell Yeah! That’s the way I like it, baby!!!

The Saturday started with a déja-vu: although The Old (Odd?) One couldn’t come along, another Florian, namely his future drummer, caused some delay (note: it’s never my fault! Who’s laughing!?!). This time it was worse as opening act was BK49! But at least we saw 2 or 3 songs, just enough for taking a couple of pictures. The band appeared a little more static than usual, maybe they should play more often (what about each weekend in my kitchen, together with INGURGITATING OBLIVION?). But they sounded awesome! When drummer Marc joined OBSCENITY, he gave them a real kick and this is what he did to BK49 as well! Deathrash with a focus on American legends like SLAYER, EXODUS and NUCLEAR ASSAULT. When is the next show?
VERY WICKED from Wolfsburg were very wicked! Their music lives from contrasts a lot: they have a good edge of modern brutality from the frognoise department combined with old school riffs and the courage to include melodic and even (sort of) acoustic parts! The winning band on Saturday! Their singer has quite a strong stage presence and there was quite a crown going crazy with the band, including stage divers and crowd surfers. Watch out for these guys and check out the review section soon!
VICTIM from Bayreuth were the victims of EAR TERROR 2002 indeed. Their rather old school Death Metal was brutal as fuck, still, there was only a small crowd watching. Why was that? Were they being discriminated as Bavarians? Just because they don’t speak proper German? One can’t really call that accent German, can you? Or is old school Death Metal not en vogue around here any more? Did the East Frisians become trendy? Dunno, the music sounded good to me, the singer had real long hair and I liked the guitarist’s sense of humour.
HARMONY DIES couldn’t really make everybody happy that day: their guitar sound was crappy and they couldn’t recapture the magic OBSCENITY had set free the previous night. Finally, their singer was wearing that silly mask again I had criticised in my ‘FUCK THE COMMERCE’ review. Doesn’t he read VOICES? Respect my authority! ;-) I guess they just had a bad day.
DAMNABLE from Poland obviously tried to shock me as their drummer wasn’t sitting behind his kit but in a computer! This, plus their style’s description as Grind Core once again made me think of going home but actually they weren’t so bad. In fact, I might have enjoyed the show if it had not been right in the middle of the night. Both funny and sympathetic looking singer / guitarist.
Although I missed the magic and the energy from EAR TERROR 2001 I (and a couple of other boyz’n’girlz) enjoyed this gate to the underground quite a bit. The Friday was a little too roomy and I bet not everybody I was missing went to DESASTER and HYPNOS! Hey, there was enough beer! Nhashi is in Wales right now!!!
One question remains: why start so late, even on Saturday? Okay, this way I didn’t miss the Sesame Street, but next time I’d like to watch it after the show ;-)
Finally: last time I mentioned I’d like to see the bands that weren’t able to perform in 2002 instead. Well, this year I mean it: get PROFANITY and INGURGITATING OBLIVION for EAR TERROR 2003, please. Mike, Mr Deichkot: I’m counting on you!