Finally! Once in a year I need to see CRIPPLED BLACK PHOENIX. It’s such an amazing band and always playing stunning live shows. Thankfully there is always a chance to catch them anywhere around Europe :) Last year I was lucky enough to see CRIPPLED BLACK PHOENIX playing the Night Of The Prog Festival, the second show with new singer Daniel Änghede. Seems it has been a lucky choice, he’s still in the band and also worked on the band’s new album White Light Generator (a masterpiece! Out since March 2014), they are now promoting with the tour. I of course did my best to catch at least one of those shows, not an easy task but I made it to our second home, the • Turock Club • in Essen, Germany.

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The club fills slowly at first. Good for me to grab me CDs and LPs at the merch. As I learnt what CRIPPLED BLACK PHOENIX has on this tour is the last in stock. So I could witness how the very last I, Vigilante LP was sold.

The evening gets kicked off by :: A LIQUID LANDSCAPE ::, a Dutch band I have never heard of before. And they are truly surprising. With every new song the crowd gets more into them and claps enthusiastically. Made the band smile ;) Most of the songs came from the band’s sophomore The Largest Fire Known To Man, which is still not officially released. Generally there is not that much to learn about this band. Damn. Musically I’d like to describe them as a mix of Post Rock, Prog and new Artrock. I loved the guitar work and the voice of singer Fons Herder. Reminded me of someone… Really, really awesome! By the way, A LIQUID LANDSCAPE will play this year’s edition of Night Of The Prog Festival. It’s the second band playing on Saturday, July 19.
Setlist: A Brief Moment Of Future, Open Wounds, The Unreachable, The Largest Fire, Hurled Into The Sun, Paige, Secret Isle

A support act of course does not keep :: CRIPPLED BLACK PHOENIX :: from playing a 2hrs+ show that not only ecstasized me. Meanwhile the club is well-filled and the crowd enthusiastic. First highlight is the fact that Belinda Kordic takes part in the tour too and adds her eerily beautiful voice to the songs of the new album. I am much happy that CRIPPLED BLACK PHOENIX play my fave track from White Light Generator – NO!, which is or should be the new hymn for them ;) Also the powerful Black Light Generator works extremely well live. And all the classics get played the Brits are so known for. The last two records were actually left aside. Sound was somewhat average. Daniels’ voice went under every now and then, Daisy’s too. Besides, there have been two drunken dickheads getting on everybody’s nerves around. CRIPPLED BLACK PHOENIX finish the official part with Burnt Reynolds but the choir is quite lame this time. It does not take long and the guys are back with two encore songs. Fans are thrilled and cheered the band with much love, while the band says overwhelmed thank you and quickly appeared after the show to talk to the fans and sign CDs and LPs. What a great show again! What a wonderful evening :) Let’s see if I can make it to the Frankfurt show ;)
Setlist: Rise Up And Fight, Black Light Generator, Let's Have An Apocalypse Now!, NO!, Caring Breeds The Horror, The Brain/Poznan, Born In A Hurricane, We Remember You, Song For The Loved, Of A Lifetime, Fantastic Justice, Troublemaker, 444, We Forgotten Who We Are, Burnt Reynolds // Let The Day Begin (Samhain cover), Bella Ciao/El Pueblo Unido Jamas Sera Vencido

story & pics © Dajana