[BRT] WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM is one of those bands that was still on my "have-to-see-live" bucket list. And now they were playing right on my doorstep, in the time-honored :: Zeche Bochum ::, still one of the best venues for live events, apart from the completely unreliable opening times.
Support came from MORTIFERUM with old-school death metal and GAEREA with black metal.

[Dajana] They've actually played in the area quite often during the last couple of years, and I think, they've also been to PSOA, didn't they? No? Hmm...
But yes, I literally dropped everything to make it to this show too. After an extremely stressful day, at least the traffic was merciful, so that contrary to expectations I was still on time, which is essential in the Zeche, as BRT already mentioned. But first a beer and checking out the merch...

[BRT] On the positive side: the audience was surprisingly diverse. WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM certainly appeal to a different and more open-minded audience than the typical old school metalheads. But GAEREA also drew a much younger and more female audience, but also many of the "I'm watching the concert through my cell phone" filmers.
On the negative side: After questions about the show time appeared online in the afternoon, assurances were given that 7:30 pm would be the right time, MORTIFERUM once again had to go on stage much earlier than stated. An absolute bad habit that has unfortunately been going on in Bochum's Zeche for ages.

[Dajana] According to the operator, such inconveniences are not the responsibility of the venue Zeche Bochum, but of the respective concert promoters/organizers of the shows. This was also the case here. The tour manager had a precise schedule, which was also approved - though, MORTIFERUM hit the stage half an hour ahead of time.

[Dajana] I was also surprised by the variety of the audience and that it was comparatively full despite the prices. Well, especially American bands are expensive these days, but word has gotten around why (this also applies to European bands touring in the US). The merch was equally expensive, but that didn't stop me personally from buying it ;)

:: pics :: MORTIFERUM ::

[BRT] :: MORTIFERUM :: didn't let themselves be put off by the (early) start. Their doomy death metal perhaps didn't go so well with the other two bands (well, it did with WITTR, I think - Dajana ;)), but it did provide some variety. The current album Preserved In Torment is a powerful record that sounds dark and evil and will surely make fans of Incantation and Autopsy very happy. The guys from the state of Washington may have seemed a little lost on the comparatively large stage, but they still managed to impress. At least that's what death metal should sound like.
[Dajana] Yes, the early beginning is always a nuisance, but we've all adjusted to it by now. I was also very impressed by MORTIFERUM. I have never seen them live before and thus, didn't know what to expect. I really liked their doomy approach. In return, the light was bad. Well, not really bad, it was all red, much suiting the music, just bad for me doing pics ;) So, I was able to quickly put the camera away and immerse myself completely in the music. Yes, it was a great show! Damn, I should have bought their merch as well...

Band: M. Bowman (vox, git), C. Slaker (git), T. Wolfe (bass), J. Rhea (drums)
Setlist: Funereal Hallucinations, Seraphic Extinction, Incubus Of Bloodstained Visions, Putrid Ascension, Inhuman Effigy

:: pics :: GAEREA ::

[BRT] Hailing from Portugal, :: GAEREA :: might go against the grain of the classic old school black metaller. Even if the almost common hooded masks are worn, singer Guilherme Henriques' stage acting has something quite feminine about it. There are grand gestures, and some of which are a bit over the top. But the audience loved it. And the somewhat more modern, poppier and fatter-produced version of bands like Mgla or Uada definitely has something, but can only reach me to a limited extent. I don't know, maybe the songs lack the nastiness and atmosphere that makes black metal what it is for me.
[Dajana] Cathartic Black Metal... that's what the label calls it. I've heard and read a lot about GAEREA's live performance, but to experience it myself (for the first time) is something else. The band was extremely dynamic and engaging, which was mainly due to the frontman. Of course. So, it's hardly surprising that the audience was so quickly captivated, or rather absorbed. In fact, I have to say that GAEREA were way ahead on this evening in terms of energy and dynamics.
The band focused on the current album Mirage, with one brand new song and one older track around it. It was a fascinating show that certainly justified the success of the band gaining such big audience.

Band: Guilherme Henriques (vox), Sonja Schuringa (git), Lucas Ferrand (bass), Diogo Mota (drums)
Setlist: Mantle, Salve, Deluge, World Ablaze, Urge, Mirage, Laude

:: pics :: WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM ::

[BRT] Before :: WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM :: kicked off, the stage was set up like a mystical place of worship, the light is comparatively bright and the atmosphere is positive. Certainly things that won't appeal to old schoolers who have already switched off after the second record, but which gives the band an absolutely unique atmosphere and style that has nothing in common with the cold and forbidding mood of many European bands. The focus is on the new EP Crypt Of Ancestral Knowledge, which is played almost in its entirety. In addition, a cross-section of almost all releases by the North Americans around the Weaver brothers. Singer Nathan remains a little pale, however, while guitarist Kody and bassist Galen are more the ones who catch the eye. It's noticeable that the more compact newer songs simply work much better live - the long tracks unfortunately grab me less with increasing playing time. A strong package with three very entertaining bands, perhaps a little expensive but also a strong sign of how you can get people off their sofas at the beginning of the week.
[Dajana] Oh yes, I just love this band and their music, both the old and the new stuff. Why WITTR didn't play the last song (Initiates Of The White Hart) from the current EP Crypt Of Ancestral Knowledge... I don't know. Maybe it didn't fit into the overall concept, but it would have been a good idea.
[BRT] It's a more ambient/tribal type song that might have taken out a bit too much energy...
[Dajana] Interestingly, they added only the very old stuff back to the 2006 debut Diadem Of 12 Stars. In other words, the last three albums were not included. Cool, so there was something for both camps. That should have satisfied every fan ;)
Amazing show, indeed! But I've never seen a bad one from the Americans so far, only dark and far too short ones. At my first WITTR concert there were only 3 tea lights on stage, that was it. Almost like Bohren... ;) Nowadays you can put many LED candles on stage, and ethanol fires, without fearing any problems. Looks still mystical and gives photographers a chance. I have nothing against it... ;)
All in all, a great concert evening that was definitely worth it!

Band: Nathan Weaver (vox, git), Will Lindsay (git, vox), Ross Sewage (bass), Aaron Weaver (drums),
Setlist: Beholden To Clan, Twin Mouthed Spring, Vastness And Sorrow, Thuja Magus Imperium, Cleansing, Crystal Ammunition, Crown Of Stone, Queen Of The Borrowed Light