The guys and girls in CRIPPLED BLACK PHOENIX work unremittingly. They regularly release albums at frequent intervals and tour at least once a year. And they do so despite commitments in other (main) bands.
In summer, CRIPPLED BLACK PHOENIX released Horrific Honorifics, an EP full of cover versions. Before and afterwards they released live EPs and the band’s last record, Bronze, only dates back 18 months. However, to go on tour doesn’t necessarily needs a new release (but it’s helpful ;)), especially when it comes to CBP ;) They just chose the wrong time. You know, in autumn all hell is let loose on the stages in Europe, seeing bands continually coming and going, often at smaller bands expenses. So it happened to the CRIPPLED BLACK PHOENIX tour trek at:: Kulttempel ::Oberhausen. Well, it was a disadvantageous combination of events. In Flames and Five Finger Death Punch were playing a huge show around the corner at Köpi-Area, there was a big event next door at Turbinenhalle, the Christmas market at Centr-O had just opened, Helloween played a sold out show in Bochum and many other relevant bands played on that day in Dortmund, Essen, Cologne and other cities around. All of them detracting numbers of attendees from each other. At the Kulttempel I’d say 200 fans showed up, at best. No need to mention that CBP would have deserved a sold out venue.
And once again CRIPPLED BLACK PHOENIX were ill-starred on a tour. They seemingly can’t do it without some chaos (which is very familiar to me ;)). :: EARTH ELECTRIC :: had to cancel their appearance on a short notice. Their drummer had to fly home for a family emergency.
:: pics :: JONATHAN HULTÉN ::
Remained two. The concert evening was opened by :: JONATHAN HULTÉN ::, known as guitarist in Swedish occult death metal band Tribulation. In his solo project he can live out all his creativity and so he did at tonight’s show. He is already a colorful personality in Tribulation, much more he is as a solo artist.
Elaborately face-painted and dressed in a caftan (so I would call his dress) he entered a stage that was bathed in deep blue lights and with thick smoke billowing across. He had sort of a comb in his hair that looked like a high collar, shrouded with a scarf that made him look like an otherworldly creature. His appearance was somewhat ritualistic, shamanic, of certain transcendence. He seems to be not from this world.
Musically JONATHAN HULTÉN should have surprised many of the attendees positively. Armed with an acoustic guitar and a loop he played Folk Noir tinged songs, melancholically draped and dark (in its way it reminded me of Jordan Reyne) yet of an aesthetic beauty. In the same way JONATHAN HULTÉN acted on stage, gave depth and expressiveness to the songs through his gestures, his facial expression and the way he moved - an artistic soul to the core.
It was clearly to see that many attendees were rather overstrained by the capricious performance. That might have been one reason why JONATHAN HULTÉN played only 35 minutes. With the cancellation of Electric Earth his show was actually stretched to 50 minutes. Perhaps he doesn’t have enough material yet for such an extended show. However, the gig was too short. I would have loved to hear more. To see something was actually a challenge due to all the smoke on stage. At the end, Earth Electric singer Carmen Susana Simões joined to add her wonderful voice to Nightly Sun. This show was for sure an extravagant and very special performance – well, I didn’t expect less. And it was a beautiful one!
:: pics :: CRIPPLED BLACK PHOENIX ::
:: CRIPPLED BLACK PHOENIX :: didn’t need much time to get their stuff up and running and kicked off with Rise Up And Fight. Unfamiliar look… Bassist Tom Greenway couldn’t take part in the tour and was temporarily replaced by Justin Greaves old Electric Wizard buddy Rob Al-Issa.
The whole gang looked tired. No wonder, it was the second to last show on this tour and there was to read about some tour shit chaos happening again (they obviously can’t do without, a circumstance I know too well ;)). Anyway, I found the sound a bit powerless, despite the three guitars. I missed some asskicking punch. CRIPPLED BLACK PHOENIX went through their entire history, played a common best-of set of old songs, new songs, two from the current cover EP Horrific Honorifics. Means, no rarely played tracks, no rarities, which was a bummer. A wee bit, but didn’t do a harm to the show generally speaking. Fans were thrilled and responded full-throated. Of course, the choir during Burnt Reynolds could have been louder. And stronger. But I saw the crowd moving, and dancing, and headbanging ;) And of course, CRIPPLED BLACK PHOENIX played for 2 hours. They hardly ever do it below, unless it’s a festival show. During Hold On (So Goodbye To All Of That)/Storms also theEarth Electric members and Jonathan Húlten appeared on stage, some picked up guitars and played along. What a wonderful evening!
Unfortunately I had to hurry driving home. You know, alarm at 4.30am… etc. While I flew out I threw a glance at the merch… CRIPPLED BLACK PHOENIX finally need some hot girlies. Ok, let’s say… see ya soon. Once a year a CRIPPLED BLACK PHOENIX show is a must.
Setlist: Rise Up And Fight, False Spring (cover), The Heart Of Every Country, Rotten Memories/ Champions Of Disturbance, No Fun, No!, Human Nature Dictates The Downfall Of Humans, Will-O-The-Wisp (cover), Burn In A Hurricane, 444, We Forgotten Who We Are, Burnt Reynolds // Hold On (So Goodbye To All Of That)/Storms
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