"…we provide the entertainment with music and some stuff in stage…"
[Dajana] Sweden’s OPETH have come a long way in the past 30 years, having evolved from raw death metal to virtuosic and progressive vintage rock. To celebrate this anniversary, they had announced a very special tour, which, of course, had to be postponed due to the fucking evil C that takes its toll everywhere. Even worse, due to C-things, OPETH had to part ways with longtime drummer Martin "Axe" Axenrot, who was replaced by the now former Paradise Lost drummer Waltteri Väyrynen.
[Dajana] So, here we are and wish OPETH a belated happy 30 anniversary and can't wait to take part in their Evolution XXX: By Request Tour to celebrate them. On 13 dates the band will play 13 songs, one from each of their 13 records, chosen and voted by the fans. This will turn out to be something unique, even for OPETH, a show that shouldn't be missed and surely is one for the books. No wonder that most of the venues were sold out long before the tour was about to kick off.
[Dajana] So, off we went to Wuppertal. Expectations were high for two reasons. First: no one less than Canadian cult metal band VOIVOD has been announced to support OPETH. What a killer package on so many levels! Even if you ain't a huge fan (like we are) ;)
[BRT] VOIVOD actually celebrate their 40th anniversary this year. So, even a bigger happy birthday to them!
[Dajana] Second: The :: Historic City Hall :: of Wuppertal was chosen, a spectacular old and baroque venue with a 17 m high ceiling and much vaunted acoustics. This all together was spiraling up thrill, excitement and anticipation on all levels…
…and made us run into a brick wall. At least it felt like that. No guest list, no photo pass. Since the show was seated and sold out, they told us that we can’t get into the hall. At best, I would be allowed to take photos and then had to leave. Pow! Pure enthusiasm on our faces. Not. Shock bugged!
Luckily, a second guest list arrived later, right on time when VOIVOD entered the stage a half hour too early. We got our seats too and blood pressure calmed down ;)
[Dajana] Pricing at the venue was quite pleasant. The evening ticket for parking 4 Euro and beer 3.60 Euro for the 0.33 bottle. Merch: Tees 30 Euro and hoodies/zipper 55 Euro.
[BRT] Seems to become a common pricing...
:: pics :: VOIVOD ::
[Dajana] However, the crazy Canadians are in business few days longer than Opeth and are able to look back on a long and eventful history. Besides, :: VOIVOD :: have a new album out, Synchro Anarchy, which wants to be presented live too. By the way, an asskickingly great new record.
[BRT] VOIVOD is one of the most important bands in my musical life, so, I’m hardly objective. Drummer Away, who is lie the anchor in the band; singer Snake, the cuddly and funny dance bear; guitarist Chewy, who breathed new life into the band, and bass monster Rocky – they all finally hit German stages again regularly and never ever disappoint.
Tonight, in the spectacular old city hall, they had to face and fight a bad sound, which indeed was derogatory to the playful and interlaced songs. Of the course the sound got better and to the grand final with Astronomy Domine, the sound was even great.
Though, I had the feeling that the support band didn’t get its money’s worth. Also when it comes to stage times. The beginning of the show was announced and communicated for 8 pm. VOIVOD had to start at 7.30 pm, with half of the seats empty, while the crowd was still queuing outside for entry, drinks and merch. The guys grinned and born it and made the best out of this situation.
Oh, well, are Opeth fans these days too young to watch a band like VOIVOD playing live? Ignorant pack! And, a seated concert is sooo NOT Rock!
[Dajana] It’s all said. Again, I’d like to emphasize a strong NO GO for the stepmotherly treatment of support bands; letting them start too early in front of empty venues, and the bad sound – bad light policy. This is disrespectful and just utterly crap!
And, the set was, of course, way too short. Hardly 40 minutes were played that only lasted for two new songs and a handful of old gems.
[BRT] P.S. Somehow, VOIVOD never play the tracks I would like to experience live. But here it doesn’t annoy me. VOIVOD have so many stunning songs that you just have to go to every show to get a different playlist ;) Though, I’d really die for to get Jack Luminous performed live one day. Did you hear me Away?
Band: Michel "Away" Langevin (drums), Denis "Snake" Bélanger (vox), Daniel "Chewy" Mongrain (git), Dominic "Rocky" Laroche (bass)
Setlist: Experiment, Holographic Thinking, Iconspiracy, Overreaction, Planet Eaters, Fix My Heart, Pre-Ignition, Astronomy Domine
:: pics :: OPETH ::
[Dajana] It was inevitable that with the first show of this tour the special setlist was revealed. To me it was a rather predictable best-of fan favorites list with only a few surprises (like the 20 minutes running Black Rose Immortal).
[BRT] Well, what to expect from a :: OPETH :: show? Best entertainment. Great music and a bit stand-up comedy by Mikael Åkerfeldt. Latter one I already have experienced better.
If the setlist was a best-of is debatable. I actually would have voted different songs. But there is so much great material on every album… a matter of taste and open to dispute anyway. Åkerfeldt himself said that the older songs are often a sequence of riffs and melodies, so, the tracks of the first both records, Orchid and Morningrise, indeed fade a bit compared to newer material. Also, to play a 20-minute song wasn’t the best choice.
OPETH offered a fantastic light show and visuals, which especially had in impact in this special venue. Since the Swedes ain’t stage berserks, they appeared to be a bit “stiff in the hips”, but that’s nagging on a high level. Surprisingly, The Devils Orchard was my personal highlight in the set, the song that was the most powerful and rocking one to me. Also interesting was how OPETH structured their set, with rather calm songs in the middle and the harsher ones around. Made the set sound well-balanced. And, I realized that I urgently have to listen to OPETH records again. There is so much to discover. Chapeau!
[Dajana] Yeah, thought so too. Need to listen to Blackwater Park again. I didn’t do for ages.
[BRT] Note to myself: grab Blackwater Park too and perhaps Watershed?
[Dajana] And I once again realized what a fucking fantastic voice Fredrik Åkesson has. He should sing much more. And in duets or trio with Mikael and Joakim.
Meanwhile, OPETH should have visited every relevant location in the bigger Ruhr area. No matter if special shows in special venues like this one tonight, the Lichtburg in Essen, the church in Bochum, or common venues like felt 100x times in Cologne. Did OPETH Münster already? Wait, yes, I remember, in 2009 with Long Distance Calling…
Band: Mikael Åkerfeldt (vox, git), Fredrik Åkesson (git), Martin Mendez (bass), Joakim Svalberg (key, vox), Waltteri Väyrynen (drums)
Setlist: Ghost Of Perdition, Demon Of The Fall, Eternal Rains Will Come, Under The Weeping Moon, Windowpane, Harvest, Black Rose Immortal, Burden, The Devil's Orchard, The Moor, Allting tar slut // Sorceress, Deliverance
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