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September 9, 2010 |
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w/ SOULSCAR
July 26, 2004
Commodore Ballroom - Vancouver, BC
By Tony Antunovich
All photos Copyright © 2004 METALEATER - Do not use without permission.
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Vancouver is vastly becoming a popular tour destination for many of the world's best metal bands. Not to say that it wasn't before, during that glorious period in time when the number of metalheads equalled the amount of cell phones that are around TODAY, but over the past couple of years, this city has been graced by some of the biggest names in the lengthy list of metal's elite. Such names include the likes of CRADLE OF FILTH, ICED EARTH, HYPOCRISY, CANNIBAL CORPSE, SHADOWS FALL, CHILDREN OF BODOM, NEVERMORE, IN FLAMES.... and the list goes on. Vancouver's metal fan-base seems to be on the rise and we certainly must be leaving a lasting impression on those bands that have played here because some of them are making their way back to this part of North America – sometimes twice within a year's time
Norwegian black metal titans DIMMU BORGIR left us all standing in awe after they kicked the hell out of Vancouver when they headlined the monster bill with CHILDREN OF BODOM, HYPOCRISY and NEVERMORE last December. It came as quite a surprise (a pleasant one) to me when I heard the announcement that they had scheduled an off date show in Vancouver, just one day prior to their main stage appearance at Ozzfest 2004 in neighboring Washington State. Given the huge impact DIMMU BORGIR made the last time they were here, I was really looking forward to seeing them perform live again.
The news got even better when GOD FORBID climbed on board as one of the opening acts, along with OTEP. Sadly, though, I found out the morning of the show that GOD FORBID would not be able to make it due to a "mysterious illness" in the band, which was disappointing to say the least. If that was not enough, OTEP could not make it either because they encountered some unknown problems at the border. So, this left the opening slot vacant. Who would answer the call? Vancouver's very own SOULSCAR!
Now, with such short notice, you would think that any suitable replacement asked to open for a band like DIMMU BORGIR might feel somewhat "under the gun", but SOULSCAR did not show any signs of pressure whatsoever. In fact, they were more than happy to play the gig. At precisely 9:15 PM, SOULSCAR hit the stage, and appearing only as a 3-piece (guitarist Stas Mikheev was missing in action), the band opened up their set with the title track off their 2001 promo, "Python". It was evident that their impromptu addition to the bill received an overwhelming two horns up ("\m/ \m/") because the audience got right into it as soon as they started playing.
Lead vocalist/guitarist Andrew Staehling, with his guitar resting at chest-level, announced that they were "damn happy" to be there and it showed throughout their entire performance. They continued on with songs like "Fatalist Mantra", "Sacrifices", and the very angry "Interceptor". I will admit that, although I had heard of the band, I had never heard any of their material prior to this occasion, and I was honestly very impressed by both their talent and on-stage ability.
Near the end of the band's set, Andrew asked the audience "Are there any DEATH fans in the building?". Being the big DEATH fans that they are, the band treated us to their version of "Symbolic", and man did it kick ass! I was glad that SOULSCAR was given the opportunity to play this gig and was thankful that I had the chance to experience them live, because they put on a really great show. If you haven't heard this band yet, make the effort to do so!
SETLIST:
Python
Fatalist Mantra
Interceptor
Sacrifices
SSRI
Terminal Prayer
To The Pain
Symbolic (DEATH cover)
It Takes A Wolf
Next up: the return of DIMMU BORGIR....
As I stood right in front of the barricades getting ready to start shooting photos, the crowd began chanting the name "DIMMU BORGIR" as they awaited the band's arrival. Some minutes later, darkness fell and red and blue lights illuminated the large banner of "Death Cult Armageddon's" dark cloaked figure as the stage became clouded by white smoke, then followed by a 2-3 minute intro. DIMMU BORGIR then came onto the stage and hailed the audience, led by Shagrath, who stood right up at the front, raising his arms out wide with both hands molded into metal horns for a 30 second ritualistic salute. Wearing the traditional DIMMU BORGIR wardrobe, axemen Galder and Erkekjetter Silenoz and bassist Simen Hestæs (ICS Vortex) were all dressed in jet-black leather (complete with spikes), while keymaster Mustis wore black as well, but no spikes.
DIMMU BORGIR
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The band set the Commodore on fire by blasting out "Spellbound (By The Devil)" – a great opener for what was sure to be a great show! I was immediately impressed with drummer Tony Laureano (NILE), who was recruited by the band to fill-in for the duration of the OZZFEST tour because their drummer, Reno Kiilerich (PANZERCHRIST, EXMORTEM, VILE), was unable to obtain a U.S. work visa in time to join the band on the road. Damn, can this guy play FAST!
The beginning was most certainly not the end. DIMMU BORGIR marched forward with black metal vengeance, unleashing "In Death's Embrace", "Vredesbyrd", "Cataclysm Children" and "Kings Of The Carnival Creation". Their amazing stage presence and outstanding theatrical-like show is a definite must-see. Shagrath's ability to capture the audience's attention and initiate their participation in the songs is what makes this kind of metal concert worth attending. One example is the many occasions Shagrath directed the crowd in shouting the chant "OY! OY! OY! OY!", which occurred throughout the 90-ish minute set.
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The band played other epic tracks like "The Insight And The Catharsis", "Blessings Upon The Throne Of Tyranny" and another from their latest album, "Progenies Of The Great Apocalypse". In the middle of "Progenies", the band paused for about 20 seconds as each band member stood with both \m/'s held high, and the audience followed their lead – quite the ceremonial pledge of allegiance to METAL! At one point, Shagrath said "The reason why we always return to Canada is because you guys are the best crowd ever!". Needless to say, that raised some more noise from the fans, and with that, the band ended the night by injecting the audience with one final dose of Dimmuism with "Mourning Palace".
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SETLIST:
Intro
Spellbound (By The Devil)
In Death’s Embrace
Vredesbyrd
Cataclysm Children
Kings Of The Carnival Creation
Allegiance Medley Intro
Arcane Life Force Mysteria (Uncertain if this song was played or not)
The Insight And The Catharsis
Blessings Upon The Throne Of Tyranny
Progenies Of The Great Apocalypse
Mourning Palace
Perfection Or Vanity
When the band left the stage and the lights came back on, I think most people were expecting them to come out and play a few more songs, but sadly, that was not the case. It would have been nice if they had, but I was not disappointed in the least. The absence of GOD FORBID and OTEP did put a little bit of a damper on the evening, but the talented SOULSCAR proved themselves as a very worthy opening act. Yet again, DIMMU BORGIR put on a stellar performance. They played very well together and the sound quality made the songs sound that much better. In the closing minutes of the show, Shagrath said that they would return (again). Hopefully, it won't be too long of a wait. [FIN]
Thanks to Jamie at House Of Blues Concerts Canada for prodiving the ticket and photo pass.
» Official DIMMU BORGIR Website
» Official SOULSCAR Website
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