I go to a lot of gigs, but there are few that I have looked forward to as much as this one. Afterall, I’d been blown away by Byfrost at Bloodstock in August (check out an interview with the band here) and then I’d been blown away again when Taake released “Noregs Vaapen”. In fact, I’m blown away each and every time I listen to that album (which is why I gave it such a glowing review).
So, on the evening of the 19th October I made my way up to Camden Town whilst listening to “Noregs Vaapen” on my iPod. I can’t tell you how hard it was not to do a bizarre little dance on the tube when the banjo solo kicked in during “Myr”, but somehow I managed to get to The Underworld without making a complete tit of myself. After a swift pint of Blackthorn in the World’s End with my fellow gig buddies, I made my way down into the depths of The Underworld (where I looked longingly at the Merch stand, saddened by the fact that – once again – I’d found myself with too much month left at the end of my money). We managed to catch most of Donn The Philosophy’s set and I’m sure I would have enjoyed them more if I wasn’t so excited about Byfrost and Taake. However, with the line-up as it was, I have to admit that I didn’t really pay much attention to the opening act. I know this is completely rubbish of me, so I will endeavour to pay more attention to them next time they play in London.
When it was time for Blackened Thrashers Byfrost to take to the stage, we wormed our way to the front – secure in the knowledge that the band were going to put on a show to remember. Byfrost didn’t disappoint and even surpassed the set they played at Bloodstock. The crowd really seemed to get into their music and hair was flying around everywhere. Ok, much of it was probably mine, but my point remains the same – Byfrost got the crowd going. I tend to rely on a selection of coffees and energy drinks to get me through the day, but if Byfrost were to come into my house each morning and play a song or two, I would be AWAKE! Anyway… the band powered through a strong selection of songs (with the highlights being “Eye for an Eye” and the exceptional “Horns to the Sky”) and left me grinning like a Cheshire Cat on a sugar high. Absolutely tremendous!
By the time Taake were on, I’d lost the use of my neck (we can blame Byfrost for that!), so headbanging was not on the agenda this time around. This did, however, enable me to really take in Taake’s set. Songs that sounded amazing on record, suddenly sounded EVEN BETTER! I found myself losing track of time (and forgetting that I didn’t have a pint in my hand) and just becoming completely enthralled by Taake’s take on Black Metal (often fused with Rock ‘n’ Roll, folk and whatever else sounds good) and hypnotised by Hoest’s stage presence. I could quite happily relive Taake’s set over and over again. Please can someone book them for more UK shows and/or book them for Bloodstock 2012.
This was a superb evening. I want to do it again. Now.
taake.svartekunst.no
facebook.com/taakeofficial
myspace.com/taakeofficial
svartekunst.bigcartel.com
facebook.com/BYFROST
myspace.com/byfrostmetal
reverbnation.com/byfrost
reverbnation.com/donnthephilosophy
Gothenburg Sweden based metal-sextet MARIONETTE will self-release its third album NERVE worldwide on December 5, 2011. The artwork was designed by Gustavo Sazes from Abstrata Design who has previously worked with Arch Enemy and Firewind, among others. Nerve can be pre-ordered at marionette.se.
MARIONETTE will take part in “The SlaughTour 2011″ alongside fellow Swedes DEAD BY APRIL and ONE WITHOUT. Dates, which have been rescheduled are as follows, tickets previously purchased are still valid:
Dec 8 – O2 Academy 3, Manchester UK
Dec 9 – O2 ABC 2, Glasgow, UK
Dec 10 – The Other Rooms, Newcastle, UK
Dec 11 – HMV Institute, Birmingham, UK
Dec 12 – The Garage, London, UK
Dec 13 – Joiners, Southampton, UK
Dec 14 – Muziekodroom, Hasselt, Belgium
Dec 15 – Backstage Club, Munich, Germany
Dec 16 – Underground, Cologne, Germany
Dec 17 – Molotow, Hamburg, Germany
Dec 18 – Kelder, Amersfoort, Netherlands
Dec 19 – Batschkapp, Frankfurt, Germany
Dec 20 – Comet Club, Berlin, Germany
Dec 21 – Universum, Stuttgart, Germany
Dec 22 – 3Raum/Arena, Vienna, Austria
Tickets can be purchased at: marionette.se
“Nerve”, the follow up to MARIONETTE’s 2009 release “Enemies”, was recorded at Studio Fredman with producer Fredrik Nordström (IN FLAMES, DIMMU BORGIR, AT THE GATES), mixed by DEAD BY APRIL songwriter Pontus Hjelm at Studio PH in Gothenburg, and mastered by Erik Broheden (RAMMSTEIN, TURBONEGRO, WITHIN TEMPTATION) at Masters of Audio Studio in Stockholm Sweden in autumn 2010 and early 2011 respectively. “Nerve” will be self-released, in individually numbered high-quality digi-packs, featuring exclusive bonus tracks. The album will be made available digitally on all major web-retail outlets and streaming services via Pivotal Rockordings on the week of release.
“NERVE” Tracklisting:
1. From Marionette With Love
2. Stand In Line
3. Act Of Violence
4. Remember Your Name
5. Revelation 6:8
6. A New High
7. Something Forgotten
8. Smile Or Die Trying
9. The Last
10. När Du Ruttnar Bort
11. Brand New Day
12. Lights Out
13. Overdose*
14. The Sun, The Skies, The Clarity And Light*
*Only available on physical album version.
Live video footage featuring the studio version of the track “Remember Your Name” in its entirety can be viewed at the link below.
marionette.se
youtube.com/marionettesweden
twitter.com/marionetteswe
facebook.com/marionettesweden
myspace.com/marionettesweden
