Hardly to believe... but already 2 years passed, since I saw THE VISION BLEAK performing live last time *marveling*. The Carpathian wolves really made themselves scarce last year. A short tour in 2006 and just a handful of festival appearances, and that’s all. Ok, they toured with Therion in December 2007, but mostly outside of Germany. Hmm… no matter! They are back to support their current album The Wolves Go Hunt Their Prey, which already delighted fans in August 2007. And, as it’s known, Prophecy Productions doesn’t just send a band on tour, no, they again got a billing together that makes every fan’s mouth watering :) Most of all there is NEGURÃ BUNGET to mention, the Romanian black metal gods with its unique atmosphere. Finally… finally I get to see them performing live. Criminy! Can hardly wait…

:: pics ::

I also first time attended the Underground. 1000 times passed on the way to the Live Music Hall around the corner, but never sneaking in. What to tell about this location? Well… the name was well-chosen I’d say ;) The band entry was led over a… what area actually? A dump? A junkyard? I think it was the area of a used-car dealer with a totally dumped junkyard, or scrappy dump? Anyway, the Underground itself looks trashy too but it’s nice. I have seen worse places ;)
Arriving there very early for interviews, things got changed and I have much time to observe the bands doing their arrangements and soundchecks. Was much amusing, because all people were in good mood and had fun. It was also informative, because I realized that the Secrets Of The Moon drummer is the new man behind the skins of THE VISION BLEAK. The in-house one had to throw in the towel for business-related reasons. Will Secrets Of The Moon now borrow the bassist in reverse? ;)

After the interview with Negurã Bunget I only got 15 minutes to see :: FARSOT :: performing live, coz the next meeting with TVB was waiting. These young black metal guys from Thuringia already left a good impression at legendary Nebelmondparty in 2006. But I guess, hardly anybody noticed ;) With their two demo releases FARSOT could reap a deal with Prophecy Production and backed up their quality standard with an awesome debut record. Three songs (for me) of dense and intensive atmosphere. Unfortunately the sound wasn’t that good. And… the bass-player didn’t wear a white shirt ;) Generally I have to state: FARSOT is a band with an unbelievable grasp for their special kind of music. Something big is coming up!
Setlist: Intro, Hass, Angst, Tod, Trauer I

Hehe... shortly caught! Before :: NEGURÃ BUNGET :: properly started I was back. The Underground was crowded and the fans obviously keen on the Romanians ;) The guys had it cuddly on the tiny stage, sharing the room with 6 members. Besides the main members Huppogrammos Disciple's, Negru and Sol NEGURÃ BUNGET got supported by a female keyboarder, another percussionist - also playing the xylophone and the Pan’s pipe, a bass player and even more instruments. NEGURÃ BUNGET took along all kind of percussions. And I have to confess: the sound of a simple wooden board, handled with a meat tenderizer sounded wildly romantic. Sound was quite good, all instruments differentiated, even if the guy behind the mixer had to retrace the knobs. To cut a long story short: NEGURÃ BUNGET’s music was – as so typical for this band – unbelievably dense, intensive and much mesmerizing. An absolutely pleasure to listen to. Really! The guys didn’t talk that much; there was no need for either. Songs came from the band’s entire history, with a little focus on the 2006 record OM (and it will take long time, till a new record will be released, I tell you! – more soon in the interview). There is actually no regular setlist. It might be that every show is something unique and special ;) So don’t miss them! This show anyway was just great! I love them! And I’m much looking forward to see them again at Ragnarök Festival in March :) To quote a dear friend in a slightly modified form: I want to merry NEGURÃ BUNGET! :P

The now set up interview with Farsot got pushed back, since the guys still had their showers and I didn’t want to miss anything of the :: THE VISION BLEAK :: show. The wolves meanwhile took it easy till they really entered the stage. Again there were incisions in the movement area. No deco at least. After the narrated intro THE VISION BLEAK kicked off their set with two songs from the current album The Wolves Go Hunt Their Prey, before fans got to listen to delicacies of the first both records. The crowd enjoyed them right from the first tunes and head-banged its heads off. What in return animated the band to give its best. As it’s known the party factor at this band is very high. Those, who don’t get touched by this great riff work, are dead. Really dead I mean…
Here I have to mention that – if they indulge in something at all before a show – they definitely don’t drink red wine, only beer and vodka! As I assumed in another live report ;)
Setlist: Intro, Amala & Kamala, The Demon Of The Mire, Carpathia, Kutulu!, Wolfmoon, The Black Pharaoh Trilogy Pt. I+II, A Shadow Arose, The Night Of The Living Dead, Elizabeth Dane, The Charm Is Done // The Lone Night Rider, By Our Brotherhood With Seth

Upshot: I want them again! All three bands! Together or singly handled ;) No matter… I just wanna see them live again! ;) On a bigger stage with great light would be nice. Oh, may I merry THE VISION BLEAK too?
Not nice was the fast sweep afterwards. Seems to be common in Cologne… Even the bands were surprised when it was said: departure in 20 minutes!

story & pics © Dajana