I have been to many shows in my life and this was one of the best shows ever.
Before I continue, let me tell you that this time there was a difference. Instead of stamps, there were actually bracelets. Which in my opinion is a much better option.
So right at the entry, as usual, there was the merchandise area, where I bought myself a T-Shirt of Nevalra, the opening band. And I got a pick, from the lad that was at the merchandise at that moment, which was, in fact, the bassist of Nevalra (Cody Sprock).
The bands were taking turns in the merchandising area.
I had quite high expectations for this show. All bands are incredible. And they did not disappoint. On the opposite, I came back home extremely pleased.
Starting with Nevalra and their Black Death Metal. Nevalra have been around since 2013. They had released an EP in 2015, and very recently, more precisely on the 7th of June, they released their new album, Conjure The Storm (you must expect a review soon, although the album is out already). The album has two guitars, but live they play one only. And let me tell you that the sound live doesn't sound empty or weak, or anything of the sort. It sounds actually very complete, very powerful and heavy. I was thinking the whole time "how can only three guys put such a sound like this up?". You understand everything, there's nothing messy there, it sounds like they are very used to play with each other because they connect so well. They were very energetic and interactive and immediately built a relationship with the public.
If you have a chance to see them, do so.
It could have looked strange that only singer/guitarist (Scott Eames) had corpse paint and the others didn't.
But that stopped being strange, when Thy Antichrist came up on stage, and this same guy was playing there too.
Thy Antichrist played a very interesting show too. They have not only corpse paint, but their whole appearance is very different. They look like something other than humans. The singer (Antichrist 666) looks like an ancient man. From the clothes to the face paint, to the accessories, it is all very tribal and shamanic.
They played a very fast and furious Black Metal. It is just as good as the albums, and the whole atmosphere changes with the show they present us.
At some point, the singer dropped some "blood" over himself, which made him look even more inhuman, and more strange.
All the details were very appropriate to the music they were playing.
If you are used to listen to their albums, you'll notice that the performance is very loyal to the albums. Songs are easily recognisable. It was a very good show as well.
Next band was Wolfheart. This was a bit different style and music from the previous bands and also from Carach Angren.
Wolfheart have a very special sound. It is not as much Black, but more Melodic Death Metal. More turned into nature, as their imagery on stage suggests.
It is indeed more melodic and brings a different feel. Very vibrant and strong sound, very sober, you can tell the experience these guys have from a big distance.
Their songs are somewhat melancholic, and relaxing, if we can put it that way.
It was a bit like a "break" from the mood that the previous bands brought with them.
Could sound like a strange choice of a band for this set, but in the end it worked quite well.
Recently one of the guitars (Mika Lammassaari) left the band (no drama involved, if you search online you'll find his own words on this), and for the tour he was replaced by a former member of the Greek band Rotting Christ (Vagelis Karzis), which was a great choice, and you wouldn't be able to tell he hasn't been in the band for a while.
If you know their albums, you know they are concept albums and all about horror and horrific tales. So the show has that atmosphere and they play a lot with the horror on stage.
Also you possibly know that Carach Angren is the kind of band that you either adore or hate. So either it is your thing or not. There is no middle term.
When the show starts they have a figure covered in a black sheet, and people wondering what would be under the sheet. Halfway through the show, the singer (Seregor) takes the sheet off, revealing a mannequin with some bloody scars and bits of the body missing, such as intestines and face. He chops their neck and drinks the blood. This with sounds of gargling and so. Later on, Seregor "chops" his tongue off with the help of a member of the public, who is allowed to keep the bit of tongue, and the rest of the show goes on with some blood around and with Seregor with his hands very bloodied.
Towards the end he put son a skeleton mask with a crown.
The whole visual part of the show is very interesting, with exaggerated horror bits.
The music is exactly as it is, they are really professional and don't seem to ever get tired. The sound was awesome, production was very good (it was with all bands, nothing to point), so all the sounds produced the effects they were supposed to.
They played, as obviously, Charlie, which is maybe the song people know the best. It was a great moment.
The show was longer than the others, as expected, and maybe longer than the recent shows I have been to.
Go see them when or if you have the chance. Four bands that are worth to see live and Lachryma Christi expects to see them live again at some point as well.
All bands were really great, their performances were all very good and I came home really pleased, with nothing to point out, really.
For the ones who haven't seen, Lachryma Christi interviewed Ardek of Carach Angren, and you may read it here:
I've seen Nevalra and Thy Antichrist , and they are incredible live. Great review, hope Europe knows how lucky they are with this lineup.
ReplyDelete