Willemeen, Arnhem (NL), 12th May 2013
It is always a true
pleasure to travel to Arnhem for some well selected black metal live treats, and
Willemeen is the perfect-sized venue for an underground gig to be enjoyed
close-by. The Dutch date of the Lucifer Over Europe 2013 Tour includes a
performance of no less than 2 hours from Agalloch, but to open the sold-out evening are Brits FEN with their atmospheric black metal enriched with post-rock. Abandoned the
keyboards and accompanied by drummer Derwydd, the amiable Allain brothers have
now found a comfortable level of confidence on stage, where performance never
overpowers the intimate and evocative dimension of their music. Fen’s art has
always resonated deeply within me so I am especially keen to see them perform
again. While I find bass-player and artwork-meister Grungyn sporting a good new
look with a shaved head and a beard, vocalist/guitarist Frank has not changed
much, except looking more muscular. He has grown leaps and bounds as an artist
since the last time I saw him fronting Fen back in 2010 (recently stunning me
with his clean vocal performance with De Arma too) and all I want to do after
the concert is to give him a huge hug for what he has accomplished so far.
Through a striking balance between sobriety and intensity, their 45-minute long
set reaches beautiful moments, for example with the stunning “Consequence”,
opening track of their great new album “Dustwalker” (Code666), confirming their
natural talent and hard-working attitude. Instinctively a huge soft spot of
mine since the beginning, I am convinced that Fen has something special give to
rock and metal both: potentially a band that could add a lot to British music
history in years to come.
(More photos of Fen below)
A year ago AGALLOCH
stunned the main room @ Tilburg's 013 with a breathtaking multimedia show for Roadburn
festival. This time around no projections will enhance the mood of their music,
but there are some evocative spells and rituals to be performed prior to the gig,
ensuring that our minds and senses are fully receptive for what is to come.
John Haughm concentrates while placing some exquisitely fragrant incense over a
few propitiatory wooden totems by the side of monitors then, immersed in
darkness, he begins to slowly liberate sprinkles of notes which take form in
the beautiful Limbs, sweeping us into a magical, otherworldly dimension.
Time-space stretches and bends within us, and when that celebratory gem of
pagan/atmospheric black metal that is Ghosts of the Midwinter Fires takes
shape, it resonates profoundly across the entire venue. The first part of the
2-hour long set consists of 8 pieces, inclusive of the entire Faustian Echoes
EP, their latest effort. You Were But a Ghost in My Arms, In the Shadow of Our
Pale Companion and Kneel to the Cross close up with a sequence that is nothing
short of sublime: the dense and intense notes produced by the musicians stun
and mesmerize. The band has reached an unquestionable golden caliber, a true
joy to the ear... John’s guitar, conveying both clean and heavy sound at once, works
wonders, adding a further dimension to their layered music even on stage!
Aesthetically,
it is rather unusual (and especially cool for me) to see 3 musicians who could
very well be part of a HC or indie band surround the introverted but
charismatic figure of John Haughm, the only through-and-through, long-haired “metaller”
in Agalloch. Guitarist Don Anderson (whom I trust is doing a splendid job with
his lucky university students) in particular moves like a hardcore musician,
injecting good energy to the overall band performance, in great contrast with
the captivating mercurial attitude of singer/guitarist Haughm.
As Agalloch leave
the stage a roar explodes from the packed venue, demanding for an encore. They
return to delight us with touching renditions of Of Stone, Wind and Pillor and
the entire Our Fortress is Burning. What can I say: I know that John is a
perfectionist, but I hope he realizes how good they have become in a live
situation. They have worked hard from a technical and arrangement point of view
to bring their complex, lengthy and layered songs to a fantastic live
rendition, and undoubtedly the advice and mastery of their touring soundman, none
other than legendary producer Billy Anderson!, must have helped… Today Agalloch
are amongst the absolute best within the underground, and uncompromisingly so!
Whilst many big labels would love to have a piece of them, they stay true to a
more comfortable dimension, working hard to maintain control over their art,
reaping the rewards during these grueling, intense but culturally stimulating
tours. In fact John, Billy and friendly drummer Aesop Dekker (who has promised me
an interview for his fantastic new project Vhöl), tell me they cannot wait for
the 2 Italian dates: not only do they appreciate the expressiveness of the
people and the crazy enthusiasm of the fans, but they are gagging to see the sights.
A trip to the Colosseum will be on the cards, whatever happens!
