First enjoying opening act from the balcony, then descend into the crowd for an amazing show: Eyehategod made music history last July 4th at Rojc in Pula, performing for their first time in Monteparadiso, the oldest hardcore punk hub in Balkans region. The event was organized by No Profit Recordings, an independent label born from the enthusiasm of several musicians and promoters already active in the local scene. Along hardcore band, they have recently brought to the former Austro-Hungarian barrack also Messa, Mondo Generator, Ufomammut, Bosco Sacro, Rosalie Cunningham etc.
“I love you”, Mike IX Williams at his best repeated not once, but twice, three times, accompanied by his trusted buddies Jimmy Bower, Gary Madder and Aaron Hill. The crowd, excited by the ‘intimate’ venue, step closer to the band during a ritual-performance that for Eyehatego is also a political act, intended not only as entertainment, but as a space for discussion, criticism, and resistance. Williams’ body, and his physical pain, took center stage, like body artists when they deliberately cut and injure themselves to provoke a collective shock, a participation and a powerful reaction.
The opening act was Dwarves, led by Blag Dahlia, the polymorphe frontman who has led the band from the beginning in Chicago 1985. Dahlia is currently experiencing a truly magical moment: thanks to Dwarves’ new, highly acclaimed album ‘Jenkem’, the solo project from his alter ego Ralph Champagne, and, last but not least, his first fatherhood at the age of sixty.
He’s supported by a various lineup, including drummer Gabriel Perez, Italian guitarist Gianluca ‘Ginger’ Panero, and bass player Nick Oliveri, who danced in the front row during Eyehategod’s concert, revealing just how much fun the two bands have together and support each other.
Meanwhile, Pula is already setting for the next event with the Rojc Open Air Festival 2026, a two-day boutique festival that also includes exhibitions, workshop and distro/merch area. The line up on Friday July 10 includes Coltaine, doom metal from Karlsruhe in the heart of the Black Forest, and the French band Djiin, who draw inspiration from 70s progressive rock with blues and jazz influences. Saturday July 11 will be Submeet and Horror Vacui from Italy, while from Japan Green Milk from The Planet Orange, psych punk hardcore since 2001! Tickets available here.
