| Doors: 7.30 pm | Show: 8 pm | Tickets: 15/20 EUR |

Pretty much exactly 2 years ago I saw the stunning Doom gods YOB playing live for the very first time. Here, at Dortmund’s finest :: FZW Club ::. Back then, the Eugenie, Oregon based Sludge/Doom metallers were supported by the likewise great Pallbearer. In 2016 the support act are the Californian duo BLACK COBRA. Never saw them live so far but their reputation of playing intense shows precedes them. So let’s get the party started…

:: Pics ::

…And I started into this Monday evening at 32°C. Yes, 32°C, in mid-September. It was hot and sweaty, but in a pleasant way. I loved the spicy smell in the air heralding the fall, and I loved the heat of the sun on my skin. What a relaxed and wonderful summer day it was. But… such promising weather usually leads to a certain declining attendance as people rather spend their time anywhere on water, in a park or on a meadow, optionally with BBQ and cold brewski. Who would hold it against them?

So I didn’t really wonder when I entered the FZW club and realized I was the first inside. And I was already late. Little by little the one or the other fan arrived. Still, countable on two hands. But when :: BLACK COBRA :: entered the stage the club was suddenly filled. Wow! From where did they all come from so quickly? Hmm…I don’t know…
And BLACK COBRA didn’t take any prisoners. It was truly amazing to immerse into the dense and heavy wall of sound created by just 2 musicians, Jason Landrian, vox and guitars, and Rafa Martinez on drums. What a power. Singer Jason hardly said anything. At upper speed the duo was instead mercilessly thundering through its set of sludgy Hardcore Punk songs spanning the band’s five records.
Unfortunately, sound and lights left much to be desired. Singing was hardly to hear, and there wasn’t much to see either.

Sound and light didn’t get better when :: YOB :: kicked of their set. Especially the singing was suffering from the bad sound, which was almost tragic at the epic Marrow, where Mike Scheidt sings melodically high. The bass again was overdriven and let everything on stage dance. And so did the crowd. Not really dance but raising fists and headbanging their heads off.
Again, YOB was extremely intense and emotional, almost hypnotizing and taking the audience on journey far away. Here a small club paid off. Only there you can create such a dense atmosphere. A new album isn’t in sight yet, so no new tracks. The 2014 masterpiece Clearing The Path To Ascend is still the status quo.
Wow, what an intensive evening. A hot and sweaty one but an awesome one. Ok, do we meet again in 2 years. Same place, same time? ;)

story & pics © Dajana & Dajana Winkel • Photography