December 17, 2022 Shape of Despair and Counting Hours played an iconic gig at Olympia Kortteli in Tampere, Finland.
Counting Hours warmed the night up, or chilled it down with pounding melodic doom. Followed by an intense 2 hours of funeral doom, including Shape of Despair’s newest release Return to the Void in its entirety, plus an array of songs from their earlier albums. It was the perfect way to welcome the darkest week of the year.
Counting Hours:
Shape of Despair:
October 19, 2022, Paradise Lost and Hangman’s Chair filled Pakkahuone in Tampere, Finland with the most resonating performance I’ve ever witnessed at that venue both sonically and viscerally.
Initially the gig was planned for the smaller “club” sized part of the building, but after weeks of the gig being sold out, hours before doors they announced they would move to the larger hall, opening up more tickets. It was 110% the right decision, in my opinion. Of course, the intimacy of Klubi can enhance many things when bands such as these play, it would have definitely been a completely different gig had it been kept there. However, both of these bands have such a deep, powerful sound I feel the space of Pakkahuone allowed their sound and atmosphere to expand to is full potential.
Hangman’s Chair blew me away during the first chords struck. Their sound and presence were literally and unexpectedly breathtaking. There was one audience member standing in the middle of the crowd just listening with his eyes closed, I joined him for a few seconds and yes, without sight, you could feel the music and energy in your bones. Hangman’s Chair have probably been the most energetic and raw band to fit into the “doom”genre that I have seen live. It’s pretty unique and intriguing how diverse the “doom” genre, sound and aesthetic has become. I look forward to seeing them again with Igorr in the spring.
Paradise Lost played an equally spectacular gig. Their set flowed elegantly between old and new songs, across their diverse discography of genres and vibes. The bands stage presence was chameleon-like in adapting and flowing along with the varying sounds and atmosphere of the music. Not taking themselves too seriously, they (specifically Nick Holmes) gave of a slight Type-O/Pete Steele sarcastic vibe, which, by the count of Type-O logos spotted in the audience, was just perfect. They seem to really know their fans, what they want to hear, what atmosphere to bring to the stage… would definitely love to see them again.
October 19, 2022 was a night of otherworldly music at Olympia in Tampere, Finland. Jonathan Hultén (formerly of Tribulation) opened the night with a highly anticipated show. His music and live performance is truly a work of art, and it is easy to believe his artistic abilities span many mediums. “Dark Folk” would be the most generic way to describe his music, though it is hard to label as there are so many unique elements. Hearing the music live was completely different on its own, almost as if just listening to the album was not meant to be the full experience. The sound, accompanied by Hultén‘s presence, aesthetic and stage decor made for an inimitable performance. There was a constant stream of nature/bird sounds in the background between songs that gave off a sense I had never experienced at a club gig, playing tricks with the mind as to where exactly you were standing. Hultén‘s presence was typically quite stoic, almost meditative, which enhanced his every movement and facial expression, giving them so much more meaning and power. At times it felt he was performing his own personal ritual. My only complaint was that it was too short! I could stand there and watch for hours more.
Hällas continued the night with quite a special performance in a very different way. They quite authentically give off a 70’s prog rock vibe. They have nailed everything from the sound to the shiny space boots. It truly felt like a shift in space and time to experienced their music live. Although it is easy to see where they get their inspiration, they do it justice!
photos and review by Serena Solomon
Melancholy Mass 2022: Red Moon Architect, Kaunis Kuolematon, Marianas Rest, October Tide and Swallow the Sun at Olympia in Tampere, FI
What better way to welcome the beautiful gloom of Autumn than with the masters of melancholy and doom? Friday, September 23, 2022 was the Autumnal Equinox and Melancholy Mass hit the stage in Tampere, Finland.
Marianas Rest opened the mini festival with their usual presence that is almost viscerally tragic. Melancholic with a touch of extreme.
Red Moon Architect continued with their huge sound and amazing stage presence, probably the heaviest sound of the night balanced with the delicate vocals of Anni Viljanen.
The night continued with Kaunis Kuolematon endulging the audience in their own brand of melancholic metal. The contrast between Olli and Mikko’s vocals never ceases to bring chills and a unique feeling of strength and powerlessness.
October Tide blew me away. They were the only band on the bill that I had not seen before and I truly hope they make their way back soon. They added a raw heavy twist to the mix, still doom as hell but some got under your skin in a deeper and dirtier way than the other bands. Love their stage presence too, Alexander has a snarky dgaf attitude that keeps things light but heavy at the same time, i.e. (to the audience) “Are you happy?” -audience cheers- “why are you happy? We’re trying to make you sad.”
And the highlight of the evening, Swallow the Sun. I can never praise this band enough. They are always a pleasure to watch and shoot, even when their performance is a little off, it makes it all the more of a unique experience, as each show of theirs is.
Hi, and welcome to the report for the last day of this great festival. The final day and I wake up frozen with a real sore and painful throat. I did not even know yet that I will get wet in the evening due rain as well. I looked at the forecast, it showed some rain, but weather was so nice, I have left my jacket in the car anyways…
On a paper, Saturday was not a highlight for me by any means. But when I have seen bands with my own eyes and heard by my ears, I was very, very happy. Hideous Divinity from Italy rocked on the main stage with thrashy Urne who opened the festival day for me. In the early afternoon it was the Haemorrhage from Spain and their bloody grindcore. It was fun from start to finish and Lugubrious’s face made many of us laughing every second. I thought the sound was nice and dense.
Urne, Hideous Divinity, Haemorrhage
Continue reading BRUTAL ASSAULT #25 – DAY V REPORT
Hey all, here are few lines for the third day of Brutal Assault, the festival in the heart of Europe, Czech to be more precise. We start to feel tiny tired due getting to sleep very late, or soon? Hah! Still, here are some lines and pics and another shall follow for sure. No rest for the wicked!
Start of a day was in the name of fun! Excrementory Grindfuckers was on of the first band playing, and surely they had fun on big stage as the fans had. Later on Czech death metal band Godless Truth showed us their more musical aspect on death metal with their technical approach and more modern vibe.
Excrementory Grindfuckers, Godless Truth
Another great death metal kicked our butts with energy is Baest from Denmark. Guys got full attention and their extremely live appearance recharged us, no matter how destroyed and tired we were from the previous day. From the same genre a bit later we have seen the legends. Gorish Aborted and later on, on the same stage, Cattle Decapitation presented their album Death Atlas and played some songs from older albums too. I am tiny sad The Kingdom of Tyrants has not been among these, but what can you do. The set was intense and brutal as always with their great combination of death metal, black and grindcore. Asphyx from Netherlands, Blood Incantation is another notable death metal music playing on Thursday.
Baest, Aborted, Cattle Decapitation
As the thrash metal dudes, Lost Society and Onslaught were both on main stages and made us mosh and stage dive as crazy! Various forms of black metal were divided into 1914, Necrophobic and for me, especially the Sweden Valkyrja, which was top notch stuff full of extreme power, even when played quite a bit after the midnigh!
Onslaught, 1914, Valkyrja
Many of us were curious how Cradle of Filth will be. I have to say, Dani Filth did not disappoint with his vocal, considering he is no longer a youngster. Other musicians of this UK/CZE object performed flawlessly too. Long live the king! Especially King Diamond and his Mercyful Fate. For many of us the was the most awaited concert of the day. The show was intense and another candidate for highest pitched vocalist of the festival with Dani Filth. The Theater aspect and mask were nice, same with the music of course!
Cradle of Filth, Mercyful Fate
The surprise of Thursday was made of three wizards and three seductive vixens – Shaam Larein. Their occultism packed psychedelic flow rich rock music was totally awesome live.
Shaam Larein
Conjurer and Skepticism, who closed the festival did it with grace and roses brought calm peace, tho with heavy sound of course. before most of us came to the bed. What a great day! Stay tuned for another info.
Skepticism
Dark Art Conspiracy 
You must be logged in to post a comment.