Deathropy was a pleasant surprise, melodic death metal with a twist. Much bigger than expected. They had a really potent energy but felt maybe more fitting for a festival atmosphere.
On the other hand, it has been many years since seeing Bloodred Hourglass at a club gig. Usually catching them in the sun at a summer festival, it was refreshing to feel their energy in a more intimate venue. One thing remains the same though, its a pleasure to see them constantly maturing and growing with their sound and live presence.
On a dreary Monday, 84th of January (or so it felt) the most metal circus came to put grimaces on the many painted faces of Tampere, bringing along the highest quality melodic death metallers the US has to offer. Avatar and Æther Realm played a packed (if not sold out) Olympia. Although it was a Monday, one would have never guessed by looking at the amount of people, and their enthusiasm. I was personally surprised to see a line out the door, as I approached the venue. The amount of people who seemed to be just as excited to see Æther Realm open was also surprising. At least half the audience knew exactly what to do when the band called for the “tiny metal hands”, a running joke within the band and its fan culture. It was quite an honor to be at their debut gig in Finland too, since they’ve also had a running joke that although they play high quality melo-death metal, they are, in fact NOT from Finland. Their vocalist mentioned it had been a dream of theirs for over fourteen years to play Finland and we were lucky enough to witness the dream finally coming true for the first time! The band not only played a beautiful set, with a perfect blend of more melancholic folk (my heart twinged at the mention of Appalachian folk!) and hard driving death metal, but were also incredibly sincere on stage. Their passion and humor along with their gratefulness for finally getting to play in Finland was pure and made the show all the more genuine.
The whole gig turned out to be unexpectedly amazing and unique in so many ways. Beyond Æther Realm‘s story and significance of this show for them, the enthusiasm of the crowd was like nothing I had experienced before. Specially at a smaller venue like Olympia, specially on a Monday in January. I mentioned the unexpected line out the door and genuine interest in the opening act, but there were also many people dressed up in Avatar attire. Intricately painted clown faces, costumes and other metal circus-esque aesthetics could be seen in at least a third of the crowd, or so it seemed. As I stood waiting between bands, I also heard a lot more English and other languages being spoken through out the crowd than usual, as well as listened in on their conversations of their travels to Tampere (and plans for going to the other shows in Finland as well). The fact that Avatar had a huge stage setup with them was also quite unexpected, and uncommon for Olympia (though knowing this band had recently played stadium gigs around Europe made it a bit more understandable). I believe this extravagance was also what lead to the first time I could feel the floor moving during the gig in Olympia ( and it wasn’t even during the mosh pits or wall of death, which was another thing I had rarely experienced at that venue, and agian, on a Monday no less!).
But after experiencing the show, it all made sense. The grandeur, the enthusiasm and dedication of the fans, the fact that the venue was near sold out, people traveling from other countries, everything. It was an epic experience. Not only the whole circus aesthetics and moments that were more theater than metal gig, but the bands presence, their cohesiveness and how they seemed to be completely at ease, in sync and enjoying themselves but still taking their music and showmanship seriously. The thread of darkness and heaviness that somehow maintained its presence despite the playfulness (including NSFW kind of playful) and circus aesthetic somehow made those kitschy gimmicks not too kitschy. It tinted the bright colors and glitz with a darkness that made it a bit more haunting than fun. The moments of seriousness and moodiness that the band members wove into the silliness, not to mention their talent theatrically as well as musically made it an unforgettable night. Only one month into the year and I can bet this gig will make it to my top 10 if not top 5. Both bands are now on my wish list to see again at a festival or club or anywhere in the near future!
November 29th, Icelandic post/pagan metallers Sólstafir graced Tavara-Asema in Tampere with an epic performance along with Finnish supergroup The Abbey and Danish fuzz rockers Timechild. Although all three bands distinctly represent different genres of music, their sound blended flawlessly with one another creating a beautifully cohesive musical evening. And even though it was a Wednesday, the venue was pretty packed! That proves it was a solid and desirable lineup. Timechild started the evening out on a higher note, a bit more upbeat and even psychedelic aesthetic and sound. Despite the crowd still trickling in during their set, they tried their hardest to hype those who were already inside the venue, and it worked. Definitely a solid warm up act for the two following bands. The Abbey took a bit of the groove from Timechild and blended it with the more familiar melancholy if Finnish music. With haunting yet beautiful vocals, music ranging from groovy prog to melancholic doom, and an almost classical aesthetic, they were the perfect band to tie the evening together. Sólstafir, as always, was the highlight of the evening. Always the spectacle, never a dull moment. Visually and auditorily stunning, the lights, the individual yet cohesive aesthetic of all the members and their presences. How fully they all seem to get into the music as well as how intimately their vocalist interacts with the audience no matter the size always makes for one of the most unique and heartfelt performances I have ever experienced.
Mors Subita and Marianas Rest played a short but energy packed show to start off the weekend on Thursday, September 16th at Tullikamari’s Klubi in Tampere. A perfect balance of melancholy for these dark autumn days provided by Marianas Rest and enough energy to power the whole town and get the weekend vibe going with Mors Subita.
October 30, 2023 Swedish Industrial Metal masters Deathstars made an appearance in Tampere, Finland along with Priest and King Satan. Although it was a Monday, the venue was packed (some people even in costume for Halloween, beyond the normal dress code of latex and chains). A hometown gig for King Satan as a proper send off for their European tour with Gothminister, the audience was filled with friends and fans from the beginning. Priest was an incredibly pleasant surprise, with no expectation, they hit hyperdrive on the dark party atmosphere and you would have never guessed it was a Monday night! The vocalist even sauntered through the audience as he sang, blessing (cursing? exorcising?) random audience members. Although it seemed to take a few songs for Deathstars to get into the mood (specially after the incredibly entertaining and energetic Priest), about a third of the way through the gig, it was a visible metamorphosis as one by one they slipped into the vibe of the night. Tantalizing, hypnotizing and teasing the audience. One twitch, and Andreas Bergh went from seeming a bit tired and unsure to dominating the venue. Shushing the audience on command, then simply yelling “Hands!” or “Scream”as desired. It was a perfection for the season.
It started with one show, then another, than another. . Poisonblack decided to revive the ghost to celebrate their well known ‘Escapextacy’ album’s 20 year anniversary including both vocalists JP Leppäluoto and Ville Laihiala as well as the original lineup of the band. Not only did they keep adding dates onto this revival, they decided to do a second round and even so, all dates have been sold out, with many fanatics coming from abroad to soak up as much as the nostalgia as they can. I attended and shot their gig at Olympia in Tampere, Finland but was also at their second Helsinki gig in On The Rocks a few days later.
To start off, I never thought I’d get to see this band live. Specially performing this album which had a consistent appearance in my (and probably many other’s) teenage soundtrack. The first times I experienced hearing JP Leppäluoto and Ville Laihiala sing live in other projects (not so long ago) was mind blowing on its own, but to be able to witness them performing music I was very familiar with was unimaginable (since I had also been unfortunate to miss out on seeing their earlier bands such as Sentenced and Charon live). Although I was not officially on duty at the second show I attended, I cannot help but compare the two gigs. Tampere was on point, the band was professional and didn’t miss a beat. Their charisma with each other seemed as if they had never stopped playing together, and their charisma with the audience was just as magical. I have seen a few sold out shows at Olympia, but the audience at this one made it seem like the venue was packed ten times more than other sold out shows. So much anticipation and an almost urgent feel. People pushing to get up front and the impatience for the gig to begin almost palpable. The Helsinki gig had a different vibe. The venue itself was smaller, making it much more intimate to begin with. I cant remember the last time I experience such a perfect club gig atmosphere! The audience was excited and eager (the fact that it was a Sunday night not dampening the energy one bit) but that urgency from the Tampere gig wasnt as present. It was more chill, it felt the audience had a bit of a lighter mood. The band did too… they seemed much more relaxed and loose, whatever the cause. They seemed to be letting go just a bit more, enjoying themselves a bit more, joking more (with eachother and the audience) and getting into the music more. JP licking Ville’s guitar, Ville’s stage presence seeming to slip back into Sentenced days juussttt a little. At least from what I’ve seen on video. Both shows were more than one could ask for, and I personally am satiated and incredibly grateful to have been able to see this music brought back from the dead.
Dark Art Conspiracy 
You must be logged in to post a comment.