and again
the scandinavians are trying to conquer our territory in a double edition
this time (thanks god not in 4-5 variations) One band comes from Norway, the
others from Sweden. And again it's the dark side, which is celebrated. A
very dark one by the way. My god, the black man for kids is sandman -
compared to those Doom Gothic metal heroes here.
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Starting
at 9 p.m. Mortiis, the norwegian zombies go on. In fact, I presume, they
have invented the chanel - make-up once again. A slight bloodred eyeliner with
black frames is sparkling in the Geisha - pale face of the singer - who is
Mortiis himself. There's only a small change within his outfit compared to
earlier times. This funny nose and ears are gone and probably are past tense now. The rest of the gang did it a bit more simple by just smearing
some funny mud on to their faces and clothes. However, you got the attention boys,
that's for sure.
Just a quick word to the band history, which was not too spectacular
for the rest of world so far. A young, - just grown up Mortiis, who actually listens to the name
of Havard Elefsen in
real life, buys his first very own keyboard and starts to experiment around,
with the help of all these heavy metal influences of the early ninties. His
first band was named Emperor, who he left pretty soon again to do his own
thing. Soon he really got himself a name in the norwegian independend scene.
And this musician started to compose major-long songs to receive soon the
reputation of a genius. Including all side projects he released10 albums in a very
short time . And at this point he was only 25 years young. But then
Mortiis closed chapter two of his life and founded a band including Levi
Gavron on guitar/bass, Asmund Sweinunggard also on guitar and Leo Troy on
drums.
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The
group carries the latest release 'Some Kind Of Heroine' with them, which is
a pure remix-album, where you find songs recorded in 2 or 3 different way.
Noone needs that really except maybe Hardcore fans. But never mind, they are
here tonight, and I don't let myself beeing influenced by any CDs or
whatsoever.
And what shall I say, these boys up there are really good. It's as simple as
that. Mortiis are offering us very hard, straight, clear Heavy Metal, not
too dark, not too scandinavian with a bit americanised Hard Rock'n'Roll
influence. And
they play their set without breathing even once. I must say, the visual
Death Metal Image ain't expressing nessacerily the music. However, there is
not a second boredom. No - these usually support- 45 minutes are way too
short. This is entertainment pure, and I'm nicely impressed by this band,
who I only knew from the name so far. No setlist available unfortunately.
That's why I haven't got one for here. But one thing is for sure, whenever
Mortiis is coming back to here, I'll certainly be there again...
http://www.mortiis.com/
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Please
click on this Pic below for some more Live Pics.
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But as soon
as we have a bit relaxed, another annoyment comes along. Because the space
inbetween the two gigs lasts as long as the supportband played. And that's
simply too long.
The DeathStars I've seen before live on stage beeing support for
Cradle of Filth last autumn. But I couldn't check 'em out properly then,
because of some work with the headliner press wise. That's why I decided to
check this lot out again properly playing a solo set. But unfortunately I'm
not very impressed by this performance here. Sorry boys, but this here is
shite.
Beeing on the way since 2000 with two albums in the back, the band describes
their own style as Death Glam and russion Deaht Pop, whatever is meant by
that. I rather have the impression, singer Whiplasher is a huge fan of the
Sisters of Mercy, because his voice is 100% copy of Andrew Eldrich one's. No
I'd rather think, that the DeathStars try to transfer a mixture of dark
depri rock, who they wanna put out in a wild way. But it doesn't really work.
Most of all, because the frontman has probably enjoyed a bit too much some
kind of liquid before - or whatsoever, which obviously did'nd too well on
him.
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One thing is for sure, the good man, can almost not keep himself on two
legs, and tends to crawl into the microphone, goes on his knees pretty
often, and seems to have problems to stand up again. Jes.... the condition
of this guy seems to be more than just critical. The rest of the crew
can't catch up with that. Most of all, because, the stage
choreography let's them most of the times perform in one row with not much
movement within the show. Everything is too static. Only the bassist is a
bit of a focus with headbanging his dreadlocks off. Halleluja a sleeping
pill is an energizer compared to this here.
But the fact disturbing me even more, is the fact, that there are too many
playback lines used here. No full playback, but a second voice, the
keyboard and all those special effects. Too much ! And this doesn't help
to blow more life into those men in black up there. I wouldn't be
surprised, if the frontman did a suicide attempt as a little show effect.
The funeral mood is almost perfect.
The DeathStars are truly some kind of mourning trees (as we say so in
german), - and the promoters would have done better to exchange the two
bands in their roles. Because between the performance of Mortiis and the
one of the DeathStars there are worlds apart. And Mortiis certainly played
the headliner into the ground. Well, I guess, experiences
are there to be doned. So what?! This is also Rock'n'Roll, and we gotta
live with it. Good Night....
http://www.deathstars.net/
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