Nebel:
It seems Kyiv is gradually stepping up to a serious level in organizing metal concerts. Despite the rather low popularity of such music in general, even the mildly curious average person knew about the upcoming show in advance. And this happens thanks solely to advertising — this time, even metro workers could enjoy posters depicting fierce long-haired men (god, what must the poor grandmothers have thought).
It's even pleasant to note that these concerts now begin not as they once did — in a rush of equipment checks and frantic resolution of other technical issues — but with a proper press conference, which, by the way, your humble servant also attended. If you're curious to see the results of the meeting between journalists and our heroes in their civilian guise, check out the PHOTOS
Equimanthorn:
DESTRUCTION — and that says it all. The legend of German thrash metal from the '80s reached Ukrainian soil and did so, it must be said, in absolutely stunning fashion. The veteran "Destroyers" never left the big stage, treating us to modernly produced but very solid thrash. Their new-millennium discography numbers three albums (The Antichrist, Metal Discharge, and the new Inventor Of Evil), individual songs from which were successfully performed at the concert. Nevertheless, the old hits weren't forgotten either... But let's take it in order.
The concert, held at DK NAU, also presented us with the second headliners — Austrian black/death metallers BELPHEGOR.
The hall we found ourselves in was divided into two sections — the main hall proper and a fan zone separated from it by barriers. The stage, clearly visible from our position, was decorated with the BELPHEGOR logo. After the delay typical of such events, the organizer came out and announced the opening act — a young Ukrainian band, GLOOM OF DOOM. The guys played a sort of modern metal with elements of death and doom. Their set was unremarkable, save for the solid deep growl vocals delivered by the aforementioned concert organizer. Having played two of their own tracks, the band departed.
Agressor:
Honestly, when I got into the hall (I was unfortunately a bit late and caught only the tail end of GLOOM OF DOOM's set), I somehow decided these were already BELPHEGOR — so unexpected was the appearance of a third act. I didn't know the faces of either band's musicians, nor was I very familiar with their music, so I had to verify. Essentially, there's nothing to add to what was written above — standard metal, so murky you couldn't even identify the style. It didn't particularly impress me, nor the audience — everyone was waiting for the more renowned guests.
Equimanthorn:
Then BELPHEGOR's techs came onstage, and after a brief soundcheck, the band themselves appeared. I can't say anything good about them. The sound was muddy, the riffs were mediocre and unmemorable (sometimes blatantly "borrowed" — for instance, from "Where The Slime Lives" by the American MORBID ANGEL), and the lead guitarist kept botching his solos. Having played their set with an encore (though almost nobody called for one), they retreated backstage.
Agressor:
Well, I wouldn't be quite so critical of the Austrians. Of course, compared to the Germans who followed, memories of whom clearly overshadow BELPHEGOR. Though they had their fans. At the start of their performance, a couple of fans in BELPHEGOR shirts and hoodies tumbled onto the people sitting on the steps in the fan zone. However, the rest of the crowd, even if they started chanting the band's name at first, were frankly bored by the fifth song. They didn't play anything special, but they still showed a level that, unfortunately, remains beyond the reach of many of our bands.
Belphegor setlist: 1. Crux Voluptatis Bestia / 2. The Cruzifixus - Anus Dei / 3. Bleeding Salvation / 4. Fukk The Blood Of Christ / 5. Diaboli Virtus In Lumbar Est / 6. Necrodaemon T-Satan / 7. The Goatchrist / 8. Sepulture Of Hypocrisy / 9. Fornicationimum Et Immundus / 10. Swarm Of Rats / 11. Lucifer Incestus / 12. Demonic Staccato Erection / 13. Festum Asinorum
A DESTRUCTION tech appeared onstage, and after a meticulous soundcheck and set change (the signature skull from The Antichrist's cover), the hall roared — the headliners took the stage: the anticipated trio from DESTRUCTION (featuring Marcel Schmier — bass/vocals, Mike Sifringer — guitar, and Marc Reign — drums). After their appearance, the concert took a completely different turn, especially apparent in comparison with the previous band. The guys unleashed an unmerciful dose of superb, technical thrash riffage on the hall (thereby demonstrating what role riffs play in metal music) under Schmier's trademark vocals. They opened with a hit from the new album — "Soul Collector" — making a quality first impression. Then came a successful rendition of "Nailed To The Cross," probably the most memorable track of the evening — what a hurricane they kicked up. Schmier brought the heat, constantly riling the crowd, headbanging and running across the stage from mic to mic (there were three). There's no point reviewing each track individually, as they were all performed excellently. Toward the middle, a curious event occurred that showed the guys not only as excellent musicians but as great personalities. Schmier asked why the fan zone (where tickets cost more than for the rest of the hall — a typically "local" gimmick; I've never heard of such divisions at metal concerts in the West) had so few people, and why everyone was back there — let someone open the doors and move the crowd to the mosh pit. Security wasn't in a hurry to accommodate Schmier (or didn't understand what he was trying to convey), so he simply invited everyone who wanted to come up to the stage. The crowd simply jumped over the barriers, instantly filled the fan zone, and the concert continued. Particularly memorable were "Nailed To The Cross," "Thrash 'Till Death" (reminding everyone of the purpose of the gathering), "Life Without Sense," and of course "Curse The Gods," the band's most famous hit. In the second half, we also enjoyed a very technical and interesting drum solo while Schmier and Mike rested backstage. At the very end, Schmier asked whether the audience wanted to hear something special. Suggestions came without delay: "Whiplash" (their METALLICA cover), "Fuck The USA" (a cover of THE EXPLOITED). The latter was played (as their signature way to close concerts), but before it, Schmier delivered a brief speech about the States — about how their friend Chuck Schuldiner couldn't pay hospital bills and died of brain cancer. The cover was played superbly in a heavy thrash arrangement, and during the performance, their translator appeared onstage and helped Schmier sing (the cover absolutely killed it, as did the translator who more or less accurately translated the chorus — Agressor's note). Another curious moment: the vocalist announced it was the sound tech's birthday, and the hall sang him a congratulatory song.
The EXPLOITED cover closed the concert, but nobody really objected — everyone was spent from the wild thrash carnage the German trio had unleashed.
Verdict: the DESTRUCTION concert was superb (the band convincingly demonstrated they're great not only in the studio but live as well), the organization held up, everything was top-notch. One can only hope for more doses of thrash on our soil!
Destruction setlist: Soul Collector / Nailed To The Cross / Mad Butcher / Unconscious Ruins / The Defiance Will Remain / Days of Confusion (intro) / Thrash 'Till Death / Life without Sense / Metal Discharge / Eternal Ban / The Alliance of Hellhoundz / Invincible Force / Curse The Gods / Total Desaster / Bestial Invasion / The Butcher Strikes Back / Fuck the USA