Ok, first off – going to a gig you’ve been waiting for for ages with a stinking cold is absolutely lame. Having a mysterious case of pinkeye on top of that cold is doubly lame. I don’t know where it came from, I just woke up like that. Nothing some straight whiskey won’t cure…Â
After the early withdrawal of Ohio’s Chimaira it’s now a Swede-dominated lineup (that’s a phrase I’m definitely not going to get to write very often), with Germans Caliban the only exception to the rule, and it all promises a hefty evening of loud metal, heavy pits and general black t-shirted debauchery.Â
First to step up are newcomers Sonic Syndicate. Formed in 2002 they signed to Nuclear Blast after winning out over something like 1,500 other bands in a competition for a major label recording contract. No mean feat so we’ll give them a chance, and it’s good to see a decent proportion of the crowd actually listening and getting into it instead of the usual first-band bar-hovering. On stage, to look at, SS are an eclectic mix – the two frontmen and drummer look like standard metal band members, the guitarist and bassist look like extras from My Chemical Romance, and bassist Karin could be straight out of an Attitude Clothing catalogue. Musically they’re no different, with a mix of Killswitch-style vocals, typically European, fist-pumping power ballad choruses and head-bobbing breakdowns. Not mindblowing, but a competent sound that sets a promising tone for the rest of the night and bodes of good things to come for the band if they continue to develop.
Following rapidly on come Dark Tranquility, one of the longest-running heavy hitters from Sweden’s influential Gothenburg scene. You can see immediately the die-hard nature of the fans, this second band on the bill getting the rapturous reception of a headline act, with the majority of people down the front knowing every word to every song. Vocalist Mikael is a bit of a conundrum – pouring out death metal vocals while at the same time quite camp, like a black-hearted John Inman. They do produce a heavy-hitting, extremely well practiced selection of tunes but (dare I say this about a band with a diehard fanbase and eighteen years of history) it gets a bit… samey. I’m sorry, it’s my review and I’ve got to be honest – after the first couple of tunes it all runs into one with little to my ears to differentiate or get inspired by. Ironically their last tune is actually fucking good.Â
Germans Caliban are the main reason I wanted to be at this gig. I’d not seen them for a few years, since Download 2004 or 2005, and they’re always worth catching live. New album The Awakening has been getting constant play on my ipod – it features a noticeable progression from their earlier The Undying Darkness album with a definite concentration on the elements that make the best Caliban tunes, with frantic hardcore sections interspersed by haunting, melodic hooks and furious breakdowns. As a live prospect its like being in a series of tornadoes, storming pit sections punctuated by calm eyes of lighter moments. The set only packs in a couple of new tunes, Stop Running arguably the best to both watch and sing your lungs out to, but fan favourites The Beloved and the Hatred and It’s Our Burden To Bleed more than complete a fine set. My only complaint is that the circle gets opened too far, losing some of the compact ferocity the tunes should generate. I’m not a massive fan of standing in front of a band with enough room around me that I can stand with my arms out and not touch anyone.
Last but by no means least are Soilwork. They’re one of those bands that I’ve been told I’d like as I’m a huge In Flames fan, but I’ve been defeated on previous attempts – at Download 2006 they had to pull out due to illness, and one other time that memory escapes me I’ve been looking forward to it and then been let down. No such drama on this occasion, all members are present and correct. It’s clear after a few songs where the In Flames link comes into play, not just in the bands’ geographical link and personal friendship. Where In Flames take a more anger-fueled, angst-ridden direction on the ‘melodic death metal’ title, Soilwork have a more triumphant, uplifting slant. The tunes cover the range from extremely moshable, chugging, riffs to euphoric, singalong vocals brought to the audience’s ears by the impressively powerful lungs of lead man Bjorn – a teamup with Howard from Killswitch would definitely be a worthwhile exercise. There’s not much more to say other than that all the waiting was definitely worth it, I’m converted to the Soilwork.Â
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