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Live Reviews : GWAR, Amon Amarth, Satyricon & The Black Dahlia Murder @ Factory Theatre, Sydney 26/02/2014

By on February 27, 2014

Amidst an always incredibly busy time for metal-heads across Australia. It was all hands on deck for the individuals from all States, as the Annual Festival known as Soundwave hit each major city. Providing us Aussies with the closest thing we have to a metal festival.

With all manner of sites and radio stations hoarding media passes like there’s no tomorrow to ensure they can provide as much coverage as possible. I had  the opportunity to catch a sidewave that was a wonder to behold. GWAR, Amon Amarth, Satyricon and The Black Dahlia Murder. A line-up to satiate the heavy and … the humorous. Running dry of their allocated stock of tickets on two occasions, I soon found out just why.

Sparing us from the merciless sunshine, the God of Thunder himself blessed us with reasonably cool weather. Clouds boomed with thunder as the rain poured upon our heads as we waited for the doors of the Factory Theatre to open forth the Gates of Madness.

Blasting off the show were American melodic-death metallers The Black Dahlia Murder. Instantly dishing out insane blast beats and shredding guitars blaring across the packed venue tearing ear drums left, right and centre. It was an odd experience witnessing skilled veterans like The Black Dahlia Murder being the introductory performance, but I guess it just meant it could only get better. The crowd went off as lead vocalist Trevor Strnad paraded across the stage inciting horns, howls and the first and only full circle pit of the night. A brutal set and memorable first act. The boys made their exit, as we eagerly awaited the sound crews to prepare the next chapter of the night.

It was time to step up the savagery. Taking the mantle (they literally had a custom mic stand) were black metal adepts Satyricon hailing from the heart and soul of the genre, Norway. Being a sucker for symphonic elements. I always become giddy when I see a keyboard being prepped for a set. With current live members ‘Azarak’, ‘Neddo’ and ‘Yogy’ unleashing deathly guitars laying the foundation for perfectly executed vocals from founding member Sigurd ”Satyr” Wongraven. Who for a time brandished his own strings to add to the slaughter. Playing tracks from their self-titled 2013 release such as ‘Nekrohaven’ and ‘The Infinity of Time and Space’ keyboardist Job Bos caressed those keys in all the right ways harmonising with his fellow members to give us beautiful orchestral verses. The grand piece from the north (though not each member) weren’t shy to show off what twenty years of experience brings to the table as their set came to a halt and they vacated the stage disappearing through the shrouded mist from whence they emerged.

At this point, I placed my notebook into the confines of my bag. Making my way to the front of the mosh. Because next up the stage was to be pillaged by true modern day Vikings. The burliest and most bearded men bringing their epic brand of Viking themed metal all the way from Sweden – Amon Amarth.

Although it was close competition. This was definitely the crowd favourite of the night and with good reason. My blood was pumping faster and faster as an atmospheric composition slowly saw Amon Amarth take the stage with ‘Father of the Wolf’ pulling us in as the first song, from their 2013 release ‘Deceiver of the Gods’. As that first riff hit our ears a death pit erupted as everyone’s inner Viking was unleashed. You can’t ignore the sheer power of the moment, so of course myself and two mates joined the fray that continued until the very end. Drenching in sweat both performers and audience continued the epicness. ‘Shapeshifter’ and ‘Deceiver of the Gods’ made an appearance with everyone singing along to the intro guitars of ‘Deceiver of the Gods’. Much to vocalist Johan Hegg’s surprise as it almost drowned out his own voice. The amazing guitar work of Olavi Mikkonen, Johan Soderberg and Ted Lundstrom brought to life some of the most impressive solos and well written riffs. The broad vocals of Johan Hegg and quaking drums from Fredrik Andersson rode together with thunderous charge equal to power of the Norse Gods of which they praise and regale us with. As expected they performed two giant tracks from ‘Twilight of the Thunder God’, the title song itself and ‘Guardians of Asgaard’. I still have goosebumps from the guitar solo from ‘Death in Fire’ from ‘Versus the World’. Concluding their set with ‘Pursuit of Vikings’ from ‘Fate of Norns’. It was a great way to finish. With the band purposefully prolonging the songs ending to encourage the crown to sing along. To have so many people yelling ‘Oden, guide our ships!’ was just outright amazing. So even though we’re ”a long fucking way to come from Scandinavia”, we gave the Gods and impressive response. Proving we in Sydney ”are all true Vikings”. So with a tear, I saw them off. Neck aching and arms so very much tired.

Which brings me to the final event of the night. GWAR. Thrash metallers the likes of which ONLY The United States of America could produce. I don’t have a clue where to start with these guys, nor whether I absolutely hate them or love them! Satirical entertainment seems to fill the stage far more often then any actual music. However when they finally return to playing there is an awesome mix of pure thrash metal. Blood pumping (almost literally), fast paced guitars that creates an atmosphere that really gets the crowd going.

Bearing incredibly over the top costumes is just one aspect that the band is known for. The other is just how politically incorrect they are. Which really, doesn’t even come close. Several ”guests” took to the stage, only to meet a fatal and very bloody fate. Where to begin? First was a re-enactment of their controversial decapitation of our hopeless Prime Minister Tony Abbott. Lets face it though, that’s just hilarious. That was the first drenching of blood we all got from his headless corpse. A police officer received a fatal colonoscopy by spear. A rock star was overdosed then his arms dismembered. A disabled man in a wheelchair was flayed. The Queen was beaten with a baby choking on its umbilical cord before both her breasts were sliced off. The audience. Each and every time, soaked in their blood.

Amidst the atrocities they were some how able to perform such tracks as ‘Let us Slay’, ‘Bring back the Bomb’, ‘Madness at the Core of Time’ and ‘Metal Metal Land’. Vocalist ‘Oderus Urungus’ amusingly whined about the not so metal line up of Soundwave saying ”I’d rather saw my own dick off than listen to 3 hours of Greenday”. Of that much I can agree.  At the end of the night. I’d have to say they were more…. entertaining to watch than they were to listen too, but that’s just my personal opinion.

It was an awesome night with an all star line-up that made not just for an epic time but also a very unique experience (I don’t know if GWAR will be able to return to Australia though). We made our leave to wash the blood off in the rain and let our ears start recovering. Until next time of course.

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