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It was hardly surprising that the Academy was busy with a huge queue snaking around it this evening. Tickets were just a mere £5 which is not something that happens here often. The night was sponsored by a metal friendly alcoholic cough mixture that people seem to like a lot for some strange reason but I decided to be wise and stick to the cider and discovering it was just 45p cheaper than the ticket price not many of them.

Maybe the venue was trying to save on the electricity bill as the first band Feed The Rhino were playing in near darkness which made pictures of these lesser spotted rhinos a bit of a joke. We were certainly not up for feeding them as they were busy charging around the stage like their namesakes and bellowing for all they were worth. There is a definite dividing line on tonight’s proceedings with many opting to stay in the pub for the first two bands and others (I think it is fair to say somewhat younger) flocking down the front to appreciate the groups. FTR brand of heavyset muscular and almost armour plated post hardcore was invigorating and it was a shame they suffered muddy sound and crap lighting. Rugged vocals and adrenaline pumped guitar licks plus constant movement from the group did the job to warm us up after a freezing wait outside. It was a short set with only five numbers performed and I reckon in a small club environment this would have had a lot more impact, so let’s give them the thumbs up and save them from extinction!

Ok I had seen The Defiled before and although again not my thing musically was aware that they put on a highly charged show. Tonight we were told we could flash them (photo wise) and stay in the pit as long as we wanted, so nobody can blame this band of having rock star pretentions even if they look the part and have just signed to Nuclear Blast! The Londoners were playing to the home crowd and were determined to make the most of it. Musically there is a bit of core, a touch of glam and a hint of sleaze and it is all wrapped up in an electronic backbone courtesy of keyboard player / singer The AvD who wields his instrument about with the dangerous prowess one would expect from a guitar player (guitarists were naturally doing the same thing). The crowd behind obviously knew songs like The Resurrectionists as they were singing along word for word having a great time of it. The band were posing and making the most of the big space at their disposal and I was happy to hear that they were doing a song about the ‘Black Death.’ I was not prepared at the show we got with it as mask wearing torturers did rather nasty things to a hapless lass, well look at the pictures for more on that. The song was not bad too and the fast paced edgy shock rock of the band was winning me over, the much better sound helping no end. By the time they had finished with a final ‘Call To Arms’ call me entertained if not a fan. I could see this lot going down a storm supporting the likes of MarilyNiNRammstein that’s for sure.

It’s been a while since I last caught up with Gojira which after this evenings jaw dropping set I have to say I am somewhat ashamed about. For many it was obvious they were the main event and after taking some (flash again allowed) pics there was no room to move in the venue. To say they exploded on the stage with a pulsating mass of ‘Explosia’ would be an understatement. The big head from cover of latest album L’Enfant Sauvage made an imposing backdrop behind the pulverising blur of drummer Mario. This was heavy stuff like being landed on by a ‘Flying Whale’ it would have made the unsuspecting blubber at the intensity of it and wrapped up in what can only be described as crystalline sound it was a case of live music does not honestly get much better than this. Singer guitarist Joe Duplantier roamed around fixing the audience with intense stares and bassist Jean-Michel Labadie literally launched himself in time with the music’s most intense rhythmic thrusts, doing big leaps across the stage. Certain songs were obvious big favourites and I was pleased to get the full weight of ‘The Heaviest Matter Of The Universe’ which definitely came across as described. This is one of those gigs that if you missed well you should kick yourself but redemption is at hand as we were told (well the cameras made it obvious) that the whole thing was being filmed for a DVD. They did it in one big fuck off take too, nothing needs adding from what I witnessed. They even got away with a drum solo and the drummer took his turn at doing vocals matching his brother confidently with a more deathlike roar. Visually it was just as epic with the music reaching fever pitch and the head being projected upon with a dizzying collage of images. ‘The Axe’ delivered a hefty blow and the final breath-taking mass of ‘The Gift Of Guilt’ completed a storming show. This was headline festival material in my mind and obviously many others agreed as although not emptying the venue after it did get a lot thinner on the ground.

Not that Ghost probably cared. Their stage set-up probably necessitated their headline position as elaborate stained glass windows and the church like trappings took a bit to put together although the stage crew did so in record time. We were pleasantly put in the right sort of head space for what was to come by some lovely flavoured incense down at the front as we waited for Papa Emiritus II and his nameless ghouls to deliver their sermon. This was my first time seeing Ghost and it was not through lack of wanting to but the band exponentially Kvlted before they even had the chance to start off small and played the sort of events I tend to avoid. Still I had been converted from the off musically and been swept along by the crazed press devotion enough to buy their ‘Opus Eponymous’ and found myself in love with it straight away. So on the eve of new album Infetissumam it was high time I found myself at church!

In a word wow! Anyone who left was frankly daft as they missed a corker of a show. The intro music was very recognisable as like Killing Joke’s the week before they too have picked Jocelyn Pook’s ‘Masked Ball’ from Eyes Wide Shut (detractors of the film be damned it certainly has its moments as proved here). The ghouls swept on and opened with the new album title track chugging along on guitar and looking for their part like Templars from the Blind Dead movies rather than anything else (as to whether they are ladies or gents I cannot confirm but you should certainly watch the new video). Papa was amidst us and we bowed down at his pious tribune. A sinner like me felt somewhat overawed as though I was being absolved in the photo pit but all I could do was click away at the spectacle in front of me which was lit up perfectly and a total spectacle. The new stuff had a progressive intricacy as far as the guitars were concerned, dare I mention The Cardiacs in the leads? Not so sure about old NWOBHM but pomp in the keyboards was very much the stuff of the progressive side of the era.

I loved watching the band in action it really was quite different from anything I have seen before and I have watched many a masked band take the stages. The fact they have kept such an air of mystery about things adds to the mystique and the atmosphere here was palpable as a result. We wanted some good recognisable hits though like ‘Con Clavi Con Dio’ but the harmony driven ‘Elizabeth’ was where they really hit their stride for me as it sounded gorgeous taking to a very warm and comfortable place. The Templars fleshed things out with some elongated guitar play and the guy in front of me with full Dissection back patch was obviously not happy pointing thumb down and shouting at the band. Can’t please everyone.

Thudding into some techno beats, devil worship took on an unexpected turn and one that may surprise a few people. ‘Year Zero sounded absolutely monstrous to me live despite having not heard it before. Listening to it again it does not quite have the same intensity as it did then but it was like watching Laibach stomping away to Wat done on the night and completely floored me. So songs old and new, it was a solid Ritual and one that should have converted any unbelievers. Guess I best think about ordering the new album then!

Pete Woods ©  review and photos