Reviewer: Grasshopper
Throughout this unholy trinity of bombastic ceremonies of auditory occult potency, the stage became a sacrificial altar; the musical masters became the officiators of the arcane rituals at hand; and the throngs of horn-fisted acolytes became the vessels into which the infernal, rapturous, and heresy-instigating vibrations flowed. All present were utterly possessed. And, the “DAEMONS” (indwelling spirits, gods, and Higher Selves) being awakened were ONE yet many.
LIGHTNING SWORDS OF DEATH initiated the dark festivities with their perfectly balanced concoction of TRUE Black Metal. Although one may argue about what/who is “true” anymore, and what exactly that means, LSoD supremely defines AND embodies the utter quintessence of BM with a sound that is rooted in tradition, yet innovative in its hypnotic complexity. They exude a stage presence that is commanding and magnetic, and perhaps most importantly, their music has an esoteric sub-layer of genuine occultism and mysticism — which, as singer Autarch states, is an absolutely necessary component of real BM. In a landscape of substance-less “occult” posturing and clowning “darker than thou” antics, LSoD overpowers ALL contenders and pretenders…effortlessly. This is, without a doubt, a band to keep an eye on.
Septic Flesh once again proved they are at the upper regions of the extreme metal chain of command with their genre-defying, boundary-obliterating brand of orchestrated brutality. While assimilating elements of Death Metal, BM, Doom, and symphonic metal, the whole is most definitely greater than the sum of its parts. They are one of the few bands that has the ability to convincingly translate their multi-layered whirlwind of sound and fury to the LIVE performance. And, together with their lyrical and conceptual exploration of mythology and mysticism, Septic Flesh is undoubtedly one of “THE FEW” — a rare and evolved breed of metal that truly actualizes the potential of this dark musical art form.
And finally…the unstoppable, unforgiving, and unparalleled force that is Behemoth spread their bloody blackened wings, open their bomb doors, and proceed to utterly pulverize the earth below with a barrage of nearly inhuman proportions. Through their ever-sharpening precision and power, and their complete mastery of the dual arts of creation AND destruction, the crushing wheels of the Behemoth war machine roll relentlessly onward — fueled by an inexhaustible indwelling source of unflickering and unearthly FIRE. Behemoth has clearly seized the dark flame of infernal knowledge with both hands; for, their immovable inner drive, passion, and ferocity come through in EVERY note, word, and movement of this beastly deity — especially on stage. They awaken every latent yet infinite aspect of the individual self: our higher minds, our primordial instincts, and…our irrepressible drive to CONQUER…within and without.
With Behemoth, the three-fold musical ritual of the night comes full circle. We, the dark-clothed brethren, carry with us the pristine chaotic energy, volatile vibrations, and unclouded insight granted us by these three musical entities — the blackest of treasures which are now our gifts / tools / weapons to keep within. And we may unsheath, re-summon, and re-ignite them whenever we so desire. The concert had a beginning, a middle, and an end. Yet, for the individuals present, the ever-spiraling process of dark illumination and the unveiling of the true nature of the Self, sparked by musical rites such as those enacted by LIGHTNING SWORDS OF DEATH, SEPTIC FLESH, and BEHEMOTH, shall be a perpetual ritual steeped in blood, fire and death…that never ends.
