The BUTTERFLY TEMPLE concert is a rare case where a domestic band's performance leaves a genuinely more-than-positive impression. To mark their tenth anniversary the band gave a small number of live performances, not forgetting the russian capital — the concert took place at the SDK MAI on 21 October. It must be said immediately: there were not merely few people; the attendance was indecently small — at the most 150 people in the hall at peak. Why this happened to a band that ranks among the country's top sellers is unclear. The promotion was done, people knew about the event, yet the concert was given in a half-empty hall. I will say right away: I will not discuss political matters, and I have no desire whatsoever to speculate on whether there would have been more people had Lesyar been performing the vocal parts.
So then, the concert began with a slight delay, with no fewer than 8 people taking the stage — keyboardist Aven, bassist Alexander Nikulin, guitarist Valery Ostrikov, guitarist Mikhail Shmatko, drummer Alexei Sporyshev, and of course the band's vocalists — Abrey and Miron. But that is 7; who is the 8th? The 8th turned out to be OLEG MISHIN, who had participated in the recording of the band's latest album — the flautist of CATHARSIS. The title track from the latest album, Vremya Mary, opened the concert. The composition is performed, and Abrey and Aven deliver a brief address to the hall. They lament the small attendance, yet continue with considerable spirit, noting that the concert is atypical, will consist of two parts, and will include some small competitions with prizes. And indeed, so it was. In the first section only songs from the band's two most recent albums were played — 6 from the latest and 4 from Tropoyu Krovi Po Vole Roda!. There was also a new song, "Vsled Za Solntsem".
What to say about the performance itself? Instrumentally — as always, very good and professional. Particularly pleasing on this day was the sound — I do not know by what means — but the audibility was simply excellent, which for the SDK MAI is generally not characteristic. As for the vocal side — nothing out of the ordinary from Abrey; he also performed almost impeccably. As for Miron — to be objective — performing pagan metal is not his forte. His voice lacks a certain viscosity and piercing quality characteristic of most vocalists in this genre, including Lesyar. Miron's voice is more "extreme", agile, and brutal. And one can say with certainty that of all those performing, he was the most active and energetic.
The competitions consisted of questions about the band's work — contestants had to name all the band's albums, all their demos, name the bands with whom BUTTERFLY TEMPLE had performed together, and recall which foreign artists had participated in the collective's studio work. The prizes were posters and discs.
The first section concluded with the song "Trizna", whereupon the band briefly left the stage; immediately a girl appeared on it in traditional folk costume, carrying two wooden cups, which were at once passed out to the audience.
The second section featured songs from the band's first three albums — genuine hits from those albums, in fact. The first three songs were sung along to by almost everyone; little wonder — these were "Veles" (which also gave its name to the album as a whole), "Cherny Perun", and "Volki Odina". At the start of "Perun" a truly unpleasant incident occurred: several intoxicated individuals began a fight, but security neutralised them fairly quickly and removed them from the hall. Brief remarks from Aven and Miron, the essence of which was that today people had come to relax and celebrate the band's anniversary, and that there should be no place for violence. And the concert continued.
In the same pattern as the first album, songs from the second (Koleso Chernoboga) and third (Sny Severnogo Morya) albums followed. On a number of songs, vocal and guitar parts were performed by other musicians. At that point the octet had in general become a septet, since flautist OLEG MISHIN performed only in the first part of the concert.
The concert concluded powerfully and ceremonially — a cover of "Alma Mater" by MOONSPELL rang out. In total the event lasted just over two hours.
The concert left a great many positive emotions; the only thing that seriously disappointed was the number of people in the hall.
Report by Alan
Photo report from the concert (photos by Gunslinger)
Special thanks for the accreditation provided.
Setlist:
Part 1: Vremya Mary Volchy Pastyr Begu Ya Rysyu Pesn Volnykh Vetrov Nochyu Khladom, Lunnym Svetom Vabit, Klikat, Ston Glotat Vsled Za Solntsem Ogneboga Semargla Vozvrashcheniye Trizna
Part 2: Veles Cherny Perun Volki Odina Khort Yamy Kaleydoskop 69 Demiurg Ekstaza My Dva Kryla Sny Severnogo Morya Solntsestoyanie Alma Mater