PROPHECY FEST 2025 REVIEW

 Prophecy Fest – Cave of Balve, Germany, September 11–13, 2025

 Review by Deniz Abgrund

Hidden deep within the myth-laden Cave of Balve, Prophecy Fest once again gathered kindred spirits for three days of music that thrives in the shadows yet resonates far beyond them. The underground setting—literally carved into stone—made every note reverberate with a primal intensity, turning the performances into something closer to ritual than mere concerts.

 

A Quick and Dirty Festival Report

The festival opened with two acoustic shows: first Dornenreich, then Darkher. Dornenreich brought out guitar and violin, earning massive applause. Darkher, on the other hand, felt a bit dull to me—zero interaction with the audience.

Before Imha Tarikat began, there was a tribute to Jürgen Bartsch. IT’s set was strong, the drumming outstanding. I hope their upward trajectory continues.

Kayo Dot were as challenging as ever—so much so that the cave practically emptied out while they were onstage.

Then came The Great Sea on the small stage, tearing it apart and winning over the bored crowd after Kayo Dot. SG from SOTM handled vocals. I’ve been listening to their albums for two days straight now—highly recommended.

Soror Dolorosa is disappointed. The mix was all over the place: vocals too low, backing vocals too high, guitars lost, bass nonexistent, and electronics way too loud. Their recordings are good, so I expected better. A letdown for me.

Kall Lifelover played—seeing them live felt like a rare chance to witness something before it fades.

Valborg? Skip. Not for me.

Grab! lit it up. Seeing Schwadorf on rhythm guitar was a surprise. They killed the lights and played raw, ending their set with Der letzte Winter. Pure mythology.

I skipped Arthur Brown—needed to save my energy for Moonspell.

Moonspell closed the night by playing Wolfheart in its entirety. Back in my student days in Izmir, I used to listen to that album endlessly. They hammered home just how special it really is.

The festival was neither overcrowded nor empty—just the right size. The organization ran flawlessly, very much up to German standards. The sound was consistently excellent.

As for the venue, the cave deserves every bit of praise I’d heard beforehand. The ground rises gently, with steps built in, giving shorter mortals a great view of the stage.

I only came for one day and crashed in my car, so I can’t comment on the campsite. But on opening night, they lit fires and made music out there—the footage looked magical. At night, the temperature dropped to 10°C, so be prepared.

As the final echoes faded into the cavern walls, it became clear why Prophecy’s gatherings at Balve have earned such a reputation. Few festivals manage to elevate sound and feeling into another dimension, but here the atmosphere itself is part of the music—transforming each performance into an unforgettable, almost sacred experience.

 For the upcoming festivals:

https://fest.prophecy.de/

DUALITY PRODUCTIONS

Duality Productions stands at the vanguard of live‑music curation in Turkey, marrying strategic rigour with a passion for the underground. Founded by longtime collaborators Taner ÖZTONBUL and Umur BAYER, the company’s mission is unapologetically bold: to import and elevate “cult” acts that have historically bypassed our stages, crafting concert experiences that resonate both emotionally and operationally.

Most recently, in mid‑April 2025, Duality Productions successfully executed the Marduk Turkey Tour—staging powerhouse performances on April 13 in İzmir, April 14 in Istanbul, and April 15 in Ankara. This landmark engagement not only underscored our logistical prowess across multiple cities but also reinforced the commitment to delivering seamless, high‑impact events for both artists and fans.

Since its inception, Duality Productions has championed marquee names such as Harakiri for the Sky, Swallow the Sun, Avatarium, Vektor, Cryptosis, and Wolfheart—each of which had never performed on Turkish soil until our expertly orchestrated events. “Active, productive, and eager is our primary criterion when selecting bands,” affirms Umur BAYER, underscoring a selection process that balances artistic integrity with market demand. This forward‑thinking approach ensures every show is not just a concert, but a strategic partnership between artist, audience, and organizer.

Doom Over Istanbul is the city’s premier one‑day festival for the darker currents of heavy music by Duality Productions. The 2024 edition took place on November 24 at IF Performance Hall in Beşiktaş, bringing together acts from doom metal, dark rock, black metal, post‑punk and related sub‑genres whose work embodies emotional depth and sentimentality. More than a concert, it offers musicians and fans a focused space to share in the catharsis of weighty riffs and brooding atmospheres.

Beyond the live arena, Duality Productions extends its narrative into the digital realm. On Instagram (@productionsduality), the team curates immersive behind‑the‑scenes glimpses and high‑fidelity stage captures that activate a global fan base, reinforce brand loyalty, and generate buzz for upcoming events.

This integrated storytelling model transforms followers into advocates and positions Duality Productions as more than an organizer—a true architect of cultural moments. 

https://www.instagram.com/productionsduality/