DARK TRANQUILLITY with Special Guests, SANGUINE GLACIALIS, EXMORTUS and OMNIUM GATHERUM Foufounes Électriques, 87 Rue Sainte-Catherine Est, Montréal, QC, Wednesday, February 5th, 2014
As the crowd gathered hungrily in line awaiting the evening’s celebration of Scandinavian Metal, news had hit the ground that the night would evidently start later as snowy weather delayed the bands at the border. No matter, as seemingly no one was in a hurry to leave before seeing fan favorite, DARK TRANQUILLITY decimate the venue!
Bringing a palpable energy to the event, Montreal’s SANGUINE GLACIALIS stormed the stage with an unwavering brand of symphonic Metal, combining melody with carnival-esque drama. Trading vocal duties, soprano/keyboadrist, Maude Théberge and bassist/growler, Mishamusha Totofski implored much enthusiasm and passion which initially may have had some scratching their heads. Off kilter rhythms and subtle Baroque-style keys helped in cementing the notion that the band know their musical theory and know how to apply it to the context of « Metal« . Not exactly bearing the traditional hallmarks of the evening’s main event, the audience banged their heads to the unconventional, unique and hypnotizing working of SANGUINE GLACIALIS, a band deserving of more exposure.
Switching gears completely, California’s EXMORTUS proved that Thrash Metal is very much alive and not merely a resurgence of old, tired tricks! A seasoned live act, the foursome attacked their instruments like famished lions, playing riffs that Germany’s SODOM would be proud to have recorded. Never a respite from the raw force by which they play, the crowd lapped it up as periodic feedback gave way to a « thrasher’s paradise »; bodies slammed into one another as all members headbanged through the set, even drummer Mario Mortus who could have broken his own neck! Shouts of, « Hey, Hey, Hey » rung out as wild, untamed solos cut through the P.A.! A harrowing experience and one Montreal won’t soon forget.
Continuing on the high intensity of the American’s, Finland’s OMNIUM GATHERUM were next to prove that even melodic Death Metal can have the venue in full-blown chaos! Positively surprised by the reception, singer, Jukka Pelkonin, smiled his way through « Sonic Sign« , « The Unknowing » and set closer, « Nail » (among others) as the floor trembled beneath mesmerized onlookers. Fantastic stage presence was seemingly easy for the Finns as all members traded spots on stage to « mingle » with the first row. Stage divers and an extremely full circle pit left the band vowing to return. Suomi Finalnd!
The band everyone was eager to bow in adoration, DARK TRANQUILLITY, exploded onto stage to massive applause as singer Mikael Stanne gyrated to every note and lyric resulting in extended hands and horns held high. Not content to remain statuesque, Stanne and co. joyously play all corners of the stage, making sure everyone was onboard…and they were. Surprisingly absent from the performance was the deep intonation of a bass guitar, but with the wall of sound made by the two guitars and the keys, the sound was full and clear, albeit with minor feedback squeals periodically. « Monochromatic Stains« , « Lost to Apathy« , « Punish My Heaven » and « ThereIn » all bore the makings of a band in their element and in their prime, spanning a near career discography of hits! If one thing’s for sure, if anyone can implore the crowd to stay well beyond the expected time of completion, Sweden’s DARK TRANQUILLITY can, and they did….
Chris
