SENISE (PZ), Municipal stadium - 08/06/2022
2022 was meant to be the year live music rose from the ashes—and for the most part, it truly did. In Italy, after two long years of uncertainty and stagnation, concerts finally returned. Annual festivals—those unmissable landmarks for fans—returned as well: Firenze Rocks, Metal for Emergency, Rock The Castle, and above all, Agglutination. That “above all” is no coincidence.
Even before the pandemic, festival founder Gerardo Cafaro had announced via social media that the 2020 edition would not take place due to a lack of funds. A crowdfunding campaign was launched in hopes of saving the event, but covid swept away any remaining possibilities, forcing cancellations in both 2020 and 2021.
While other festivals gradually confirmed their post-lockdown return, Agglutination’s fate remained uncertain—hanging by a thread. No one knew whether the crowdfunding effort had worked, or if Italy’s longest-running metal festival would ever come back.
Then, almost like an April Fool’s twist of fate, on April 1st, 2022, the official announcement arrived: Agglutination will celebrate its 26th anniversary—with a lineup worthy of the occasion.
EYELIDS
4:00 PM. The gates of the Senise sports field finally open. The stage is set near the locker rooms, while numerous stands surround the event area, separated from the football pitch by temporary fences. After half an hour, Eyelids arrive, bringing with them the pure black metal attitude that defines them: black clothes, covered faces and, of course, the coldness of their musical proposal, ready to shake the vast lands of the province of Potenza. And there could not have been a more fitting atmosphere than a storm to frame the blacksters’ performance: under the first drops of afternoon rain, they manage to entertain the still small crowd with songs from Scars Under The Snow, their latest album. In the short time available, Eyelids open with Till Death Unite Us Again, followed by a track from their first full-length Endless Oblivion, and finally closing with Cold’s Solitude, giving the right push to the rest of the day.
EYELIDS SETLIST:
Till Death Unite us Again
Endless Oblivion I
Soul of the Forest
Cold’s Solitude
MIRKO GISONTE
The rain falls intermittently and, after 5 PM, Mirko Gisonte takes the stage. The Lucanian composer, tied to folk music with influences from flamenco and jazz, is not a name usually associated with metal, as he himself states during his time on stage. At the same time, however, it is clear how the genre influences his arrangements, instrumental compositions and virtuosity, which fully earn him a place in the Agglutination lineup. Thus, Mirko performs in front of a completely new audience for him, paying tribute to Basilicata with the notes of his guitar, which becomes a means of expression for his talent and musical vision, made of fully jazz-oriented sounds executed with a skill almost comparable to John Petrucci. His show, too, is brief, but very intense.
FUNERAL MANTRA
5:30 PM. The rain continues to pour over Senise, stronger and more violent than before. One stand is overturned by the wind, and the audience seeks shelter under the covered stands of the sports field. The weather conditions do not suggest anything good for the next few hours, but despite everything, after a longer-than-expected break, Funeral Mantra takes the stage with every intention of performing even in the middle of a hurricane. The Roman band loudly urges the crowd to mosh despite the storm, and after a brief ritual introduction, the show begins: Dimensions Onward is the first track chosen to introduce Afterglow, their first and so far only full-length, and that solid sound halfway between stoner and groove metal ignites the audience almost instantly. Time flies. Among the other highlights of the album, their show comes to an end, leaving more than just positive impressions.
FUNERAL MANTRA SETLIST:
Dimensions Onward
Gravestone Reveries
In These Eyes
Slave to the Wave
Drifting
NAPOLI VIOLENTA
We have reached mid-afternoon and, after almost an hour of rain and clouds, the sun finally comes out, almost symbolising the calm after the storm. Too bad, however, that the storm is about to hit the stage with the arrival of Napoli Violenta: Brujeria-like appeal, Napalm Death-style attitude and a strong desire to heat up the crowd with grindcore. The mosh pit starts with the very first track, Pulis in Hell, and involves even the musicians themselves, who keep the intensity high with La Crime Napulitane, Diamonds And Crust and Squadra AntiBlackster. The band also finds space for two high-profile covers, satisfying the audience completely.
NAPOLI VIOLENTA SETLIST:
Pulis in Hell
Mannitidiriale
La Crime Napulitane
I Don’t Need Sobriety
Violent (I Hate You) Pacification
Diamonds And Crust
Squadra AntiBlackster
Raining Blood
Goremorra
Torso
Napoli Violenta
Breaking The Law (On My Back)
SAILING TO NOWHERE
The atmosphere changes completely when Sailing to Nowhere steps on stage: their musical proposal does not match the roughness and heaviness of the other bands on the bill, yet they succeed in entertaining, engaging and making the audience have fun. Their performance, aside from some initial technical issues, proceeds smoothly, with the two vocalists delivering moments of pure energy through songs like Apocalypse and Fight for Your Dreams. Their passion is felt until the very end, closing with strong applause.
SAILING TO NOWHERE SETLIST:
Scream of the World
Fight for Your Dreams
Apocalypse
Suffering in Silence
Sailing to Nowhere
FULCI
And now, after the melodic power metal of Sailing to Nowhere, we return to heaviness and brutality. Fulci are now an established band not only nationally but also internationally: their albums have gained great success abroad, not only for their direct death metal, but also for their cinematic themes. As their name suggests, the horror influence is evident in everything—from imagery to performance. With visuals projected behind them, they open with Tropical Sun, immediately delivering impact. Even without a live drummer, their performance remains effective, proving their strength as a live act.
FULCI SETLIST:
Tropical Sun
Tomb
Apocalyspe Zombie
Lonely Hearts
Matul Tribal Cult
Legion of the Resurrected
Autopsy
Voices
Eyes Full of Maggots
Immortality Virus
Blue Inferno
Nightmare
VANEXA
As the festival moves closer to its final stretch, it’s time to make room for a band that can hardly be defined as anything less than historic. Vanexa were among the very first acts to bring heavy metal to Italy in the late ’70s, and despite a long period of inactivity, they returned in recent years with renewed energy and new material. Their presence at Agglutination feels not only appropriate but almost necessary. Taking the stage with a solid and experienced lineup, the band delivers a set that perfectly balances past and present. Classic tracks blend seamlessly with songs from their more recent releases, creating a performance that is both nostalgic and fresh. The audience responds enthusiastically, especially during the band’s more iconic moments, proving that the band’s legacy still resonates strongly. By the end of their set, Vanexa leave the stage, having reaffirmed their role as pioneers of the Italian metal scene while also warming up the crowd for what is to come.
VANEXA SETLIST:
Too Heavy to Fly
In the Shadow of the Cross
Tarantino Theme
Last in Black
Paradox
My Grave
Armless
1000 Nights
Metal City Rocker
Rainbow in the Night
NARGAROTH
Night falls over Senise, and the darkness surrounding the area sets the perfect stage for Nargaroth. After a long soundcheck that builds anticipation, the band finally takes position, followed by the entrance of René Wagner, who immediately embodies the classic black metal aesthetic—whisky in hand, cigarette lit, and an initially cold, detached attitude toward the audience. Once the music starts, however, that distance gradually fades. The set opens with The Agony of a Dying Phoenix and unfolds through a selection of tracks that highlight both the raw and atmospheric sides of the project. Classics like Black Metal Ist Krieg, and Possessed by Black Fucking Metal are delivered with intensity and precision, drawing a strong reaction from the crowd. Between songs, Wagner begins to open up, sharing personal anecdotes that add a human layer to the performance, including a striking story about how black metal helped him through some of the darkest periods of his life. By the end, the connection with the audience is complete, and the band leaves the stage to well-deserved applause.
NARGAROTH SETLIST:
The Agony of a Dying Phoenix
Sommer
Hunting Season
Abschiedsbrief des Prometheus
Seven Tears Are Flowing to the River
Black Metal Ist Krieg
Possessed by Black Fucking Metal
ASPHYX
It is finally time for the last act of the night. Asphyx step on stage after spending much of the day among the fans, and once everything is set, they waste no time in unleashing their brand of uncompromising death metal. From the very first notes of Botox Implosion, the crowd erupts, with the pit immediately coming to life. The band delivers a tight and relentless performance: Stefan Hüskens pounds the drums with precision and power, while Paul Baayens and Alwin Zuur provide a crushing wall of sound. At the centre of it all, Martin van Drunen commands the stage with his unmistakable growl and charismatic presence, constantly interacting with the audience and expressing his appreciation for playing in Italy. The set moves forward without any real breaks, featuring highlights such as Deathhammer, The Rack and Necroceros, keeping the energy consistently high. As the final notes of Last One on Earth fade out, the crowd clearly wants more, but time is up. The band closes their set, leaving behind a fully satisfied and energised audience.
ASPHYX SETLIST:
Botox Implosion
Death the Brutal Way
Deathhammer
Molten Black Earth
The Nameless Elite
Necroceros
The Rack
Last One on Earth
WRAPPING UP
As the night draws to a close, people begin to leave the Senise stadium with satisfied expressions, many stopping by the stands one last time before heading home. Despite the challenges that preceded this edition—financial struggles, the pandemic, and even unfavourable weather—the festival has successfully returned, proving once again its importance within the Italian metal scene. Attendance may not have reached the levels of past editions, especially those that featured major international acts, but the spirit of Agglutination remains unchanged. The atmosphere, the passion, and the sense of community are still there, stronger than ever. This new chapter stands as another success, made possible thanks to the dedication of Gerardo Cafaro, a figure to whom every metal fan from Southern Italy—and beyond—owes a great deal. What the future holds is still uncertain: no announcements have been made regarding the next lineup or location. Yet one thing is clear—events like Agglutination have become more than just festivals. They are traditions, almost rituals, and for that very reason, we will always be there.
