[Dajana] The delusion is bewildering. Who would have thought that aliens so perfectly look and act humanly. But though… the handling of their instruments gives their true identity away ;) Ah, that’s way they have such a huge light and laser show that leaves the protagonists in the dark… So we can’t see their multiple arms and legs. Hahaha… ok, jokes aside. Or not. What MESHUGGAH show us live on stage (or on their records) is definitely not from this world.
[BRT] To me MESHUGGAH were always a book with at least 666 seals, although progressiveness, dark atmosphere and unconventional songwriting are elements I really appreciate and actually look for in music. So, maybe a live show might change my mind towards MESHUGGAH. But I detected that melodies ain’t strength of this band.
[Dajana] Oh, there are melodies! Probably not the common way… but otherwise it wouldn’t be MESHUGGAH. But yeah, to get you hooked you couldn’t chose a better time ;) In October MESHUGGAH have released their ninth record, entitled The Violent Sleep Of Reason, and of course they support it with a tour throughout Europe :)
:: pics :: HIGH ON FIRE ::
[BRT] To support the Swedes, Oakland, California Stoner/Sludge metallers :: HIGH ON FIRE :: got engaged. Odd combination, but ok, two trendy bands that might fill a location such as the :: Essigfabrik :: in Cologne well.
[Dajana] Yep, I was kind of surprised for this support act too. Musically a big contrast anyway but exactly this might have been the intention behind. And I never dealt with HIGH ON FIRE before. So let’s broaden my horizon ;)
[BRT] HIGH ON FIRE kicked off on time at 8pm and already faced a full venue. With their blend of Stoner/Sludge and Classic Metal they hit the Zeitgeist for quite some time. But also here I so far surrendered due to missing melodies and the unpleasant bawls of singer Matt Pike.
Nope, we won’t become friends, although I’m totally into that kind of music. No doubt, the sound was bold, powerful and nasty but didn’t leave any deeper impression. I felt a bit reminded of Venom and Motörhead but without having their recognition value. The crowd has a different opinion and celebrates the trio that got one hour of playing time. HIGH ON FIRE presented themselves raw, yobbish and Trucker-like. At the beginning of their set, the trio truly kicked ass, but more and more their set got touch and boring.
[Dajana] Indeed. 40 minutes would have been way enough. And I faced same sentiments: first three songs or so has blown me away, than the discovering moment of the new was gone and lengthiness got spread, while the singing got slowly on nerves.
Setlist: The Black Plot, Carcosa, Rumors Of War, Serums Of Liao, Slave The Hive, The Falconist, Turk, Fertile Green, Blood From Zion, Snakes For The Divine
:: pics :: MESHUGGAH ::
[Dajana] Phew! Done. Two coffees later my fingers were rubbed warm. I know what to expect from a :: MESHUGGAH :: show as a photographer ;) Prepared and with anticipation raised high.
[BRT] The change-over took a while. Time well-used by the audience to get in and fill the Essigfabrik properly. The venue wasn’t far away to be sold out. MESHUGGAH started fast and with enormous power. The sound is clear and differentiated. It could have been a bit louder. All in all it was quite dark on stage and the musicians hardly moved due to the complexity of the songs. As for that we got a fantastic light show. Many staccato rhythms got accompanied by stroboscopes, besides, laser cut through the venue. Colors and rhythms of the lights and lasers were perfectly balanced with the songs. Stunning!
Although I hardly knew MESHUGGAHs material I immediately got caught and captivated by the songs. The band’s groove, even if totally nested, mesmerized and let me headbang. And although riffs, patterns, melodies and grooves changed and shifted permanently I quickly found my rhythm in them and suddenly they didn’t sound abstract and too tricky anymore. But no matter what the guitar duo Thorendahl and Hagström did there (which was already exceptional); the star of the band is without a doubt drummer Tomas Haake, who probably played with 8 arms and 4 legs. This man is just incredible. Ok, the singing of front man Jens Kidman can be called monotonous, though perfectly suits the music.
Yes, that was an outstanding performance by MESHUGGAH that totally convinced me to dig deeper into the band’s music. But, seriously, who now needs fumbler such as Fear Factory?
[Dajana] I absolutely agree and there’s not that much to add. MESHUGGAH are a phenomenon. First songs and light whips almost hurt you physically before you get hit by an ICE and put in a rotary iron at the same time. Right after you get hypnotized and absorbed, put into trance and reach a condition like the runner’s high, followed by pure bliss. This is… beyond this world. Rad! Insane feeling. Hardly to describe. You need to experience that feeling yourself during a MESHUGGAH show. Oh, how I love it! :)
MESHUGGAH already finished by concert year 2014 with its awesomeness and so they did it again in 2016. Cheshire cat olé! You know…
Setlist: Clockworks, Born In Dissonance, Sane, Perpetual Black Second, Stengah, The Hurt That Finds You First, Lethargica, Do Not Look Down, Nostrum, Violent Sleep Of Reason, Dancers To A Discordant System, Bleed // Demiurge, Future Breed Machine
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