Always expect the unexpected. So, the concert year 2023 kicked off little later than planned. It's already end of January, when the NOCTURNAL HALL crew hits the road for the first time towards Cologne to join KATATONIA on their Twilight Burials Tour. Interestingly, there was no announcement for January shows at all on the venue's website. Well, never mind, we have been there, the bands too ;) Nothing to nag about.
It's an unpleasant wet and cold grey day. The trip was… well, you know, same old story. At least, we had no bigger traffics and arrived on a time that led us still find a parking not too far away from the venue. Tonight's show was, as many others of the tour, completely sold out, which means, the :: Essigfabrik :: was fully packed. Though, it didn't get much warmer inside. Pricing for drinks was pretty much ok (I just missed hot coffee), and so was the merch. Longsleeves for 30 Euro is even little these days. Okay, let's get the party started! :)
:: pics :: SOM ::
:: SOM :: is a band that didn't cross my universe yet. Though, I'm familiar with all of its members through their current and/or former bands and thus it was clear what to expect musically: Post Rock. But SOM is different. Well, let's say there music comes naturally as a mix of all the bands the members are/have been active in. There is the epic opulence and drama of Junius (guitarists Michael and Joel – and yes, I can hear reminiscences of the great The Martyrdom Of A Catastrophist in SOMs music. Singer Will was also part of Junius for a short time), the Shoegaze euphony the Constants are known for (singer/bassist Will, guitarist Joel and ex-drummer Duncan, who did not partake in this tour), and the instrumental wall of sound by Caspian (drummer Justin). Yes, that I call a hell of a mesmerizing mixture! Highly interesting. I even read the label Dream Pop. I wouldn't say so but understand where it's coming from ;)
SOM tours Europe for the first time, just as a four-piece. I expected the Boston/Massachusetts guys presenting their new album, The Shape Of Everything, released in January 2022, but nope, they played a mix of all three releases instead.
SOM kicked off the evening on time at 7pm and met a literally undercooled crowd. They also had to face some sound problems - the singing was hardly to hear in the beginning, while singer Will was struggling with a bitchy micro, he needed to hold tight every now and then, which isn't that easy when you also have to play the bass guitar.
Sound and singing got better during the short 35 minutes set, but I tend to nag about the lights as a photographer. Overall it was a surprising and wonderful show.
Band: Will Benoit (vox, bass), Justin Forrest (drums), Joel Reynolds (git), Michael Repasch-Nieves (git)
Setlist: Prayers, Animals, Awake/Sedate, Moment, Clocks, Black Out The Sky, Youth/Decay
:: pics :: SÓLSTAFIR ::
I think, there is no need to introduce :: SÓLSTAFIR ::. The band gained a huge fan base in the metal scene as well in the mainstream. The band's latest, and to me rather weak record, Endless Twilight Of Codependent Love, was released more than two years ago. Something new isn't in sight, so the Icelander played kind of a best-of set, mostly wallowing in the glorious old days. And exactly this old school set made this show so stunning. The band was in high spirits, played tight, and singer Addi was always up to some action that thrilled the crowd. He, for example, was climbing the barrier to sing along with the fans, and walked through the crowd towards the next bar, just to jump on the counter. Did he order a beer? ;) The security seemed not happy about his actions and had difficulties to follow him through the packed hall. Whenever he saw a familiar face he greeted, but didn't leave out anybody else. Well, to say it with the words of my co-author: "They are soooo cool!" ;)
Yep, I agree. Although I still bear them a grudge (remember the affair how they fired the drummer), I can't deny that it really was an awesome show tonight. Yes, I had a lot of fun too and couldn't stand still any second.
Band: Aðalbjörn Tryggvason (vox, git), Sæþór Maríus Sæþórsson (git), Svavar Austman Traustason (bass), Hallgrímur Hallgrímsson
Setlist: Náttfari (Intro), Köld, Melrakkablús, Rökkur, Rismál, Fjara, Ótta, Goddess Of The Ages
:: pics :: KATATONIA ::
Okay, here we go on with the masters of melancholy :: KATATONIA :: as tonight's headliner. The day they started into their Twilight Burials tour, the band has released its 15th record, Sky Void Of Stars, which climbed on #5 in the German album charts and, of course, wants to be presented live.
KATATONIA didn't have any probs to pick up the momentum Sólstafir left and added even a bit more power. The Swedes were truly rocking the stage, what actually thwarted our descriptions and KATATONIA-cuddle-memes we handed to a photographer colleague, who heard and saw the band for the first time. Hahaha. Yes, indeed, singer Jonas Renkse was unexpectedly chipper, walked the stage and every now and then kicked down something invisible.
Blakkheim wasn't part of the tour trek and was replaced by Entombed ADs Nico Elgstrand, while guitarist Roger Öjersson provided the backing vocals. Again, the vocals were a bit unbalanced sound wise. Jonas' voice was to low and Rogers backing vocals seemed to be off-key. Perhaps, it was a matter of the position where in the hall one stood. It got better but it generally seems to be a tough task to mix KATATONIA properly. I meanwhile have seen them many times in various locations and at various festivals and there are always certain sound issues.
The new songs worked excellently within the set of older and newer material. It just seemed that band wasn't too well rehearsed when it came to the new songs. Especially Birds was a bit bumpy.
Lights were scarce goods, no front light at all and otherwise, dazzlingly bright white lights, reds or greens, and stroboscopes. A photographer's nightmare but a common behavior by the band. Same goes for the playing time of their shows. 75 minutes, that's all. Even as a headliner. Nothing to see and a short show, so, the attendee has to align all other senses and to absorb every second for the maximum KATATONIA experience. That's what the band is aiming at ;)
Again a great show. The whole evening was just fantastic! Great people, great bands, great music. What more could you ask for? Um…not to get up at 4.30 am 3hrs later maybe? That was tough anyway…
Band: Jonas Renkse (vox), Anders Nyström (git), Niklas Sandin (bass), Daniel Moilanen (drums), Roger Öjersson (git)
Setlist: Austerity, Colossal Shade, Lethean, Deliberation, Birds, Behind The Blood, Forsaker, Opaline, Buildings, My Twin, Atrium, Old Heart Falls, Untrodden // July, Evidence
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