Live Reviews : Septicflesh, Fleshgod Apocalypse, Rise of Avernus & The Seer @ Manning Bar, Sydney 17/05/2014

After months and months of an endless wait, it was finally time for what could possibly be the biggest show our country has seen this year. Dubbed as the ‘Battle Of Flesh’, the night’s line up featured a double bill with Italian metal kings Fleshgod Apocalypse and the awesome Septicflesh from Greece. Needless to say, I was stoked beyond explanation and the fact that it was at my favourite venue in Sydney, the Manning Bar, took the elation to higher levels! I got to the venue quite early, but there were already people swamping the entrance, everyone looking as keen as me for the night that lay ahead of them.

Australian Tour 2013

Up first were The Seer and these lads from Newcastle definitely did justice to the opening spot for the nights line-up. With a deliciously heavy sound and the beauty of haunting symphony in the background, The Seer performed tracks from their debut album Prologue at a relentless pace. I’ve seen these guys a few times before, and it is hard not to appreciate the fact that they are definitely one of the most talented bands around. Frontman Ryan Huthnance makes your eardrums do a bit of a dance with his fiercely deep growls while casually riffing up a storm with drummer Tom Taylor pounding the kit at unforgivable speeds. Guitarist Daniel McInnes and Allan Swaffield on bass provide the melodic gallop which makes their music even more appealing, both live and on audio. The intros to their tracks are so intriguing, it leaves you wanting more! The band have a rather silent, regal look about them but are the complete opposite when they hit their first notes, the guitarists engaging in a battle of windmilling and the sound enough to make you want to break something. These guys are no amateurs at what they do, they know exactly what they’re doing and they do it with metallic poise and an insane amount of energy! Keep an eye and an ear out, you won’t be disappointed!

A quick ten minute break saw the night lead into the set of the mighty Rise Of Avernus. One of Australia’s top doom/symphonic metal bands, and one of my favourites, this five piece outfit from Sydney have the ability to leave you in a bit of a trance. With a rather prolific intro, the band played several tracks from their album, ‘L’Appele Du Vide’ which released earlier this year. Being the fifth time I was seeing them, I can safely say that they just get better and better with every performance. The band has a magnificent stage presence, each member significantly contributing to the overall massive sound that they have. With the classy orchestral arrangements of guitarist Mathew Bell, the dual vocal assault of guitarist Ben Vanvollenhoven and bassist Dan Warrington (DAT BEARD) is absolutely mind-numbing, enough to blow your brains out but perfectly compliment the lovely voice of keyboardist Cat Guirguis’ who provides the soft, feminine flow to the music, in addition to the eerily beautiful tunes of the keys. Drummer Andrew Craig is a real treat to watch as he blasts his way effortlessly through each track, with fancy drumstick twirls and rather animated faces! The set also saw the Sax skills of Wayne Rigby, which was initially not very clear but picked up in volume later on in the set. Rise Of Avernus are a unique band that bring together all the finer elements of symphonic and progressive metal to create a rich and versatile culmination of sounds and watching them live is not the same as just listening to their music. Heavy and atmospheric this band represents the high quality that is important in creating music and they do justice to being categorized as a progressive doom metal band. Don’t miss out on their next show because they truly are something else!

The Manning was quite packed by this point, and you could feel the excitement and anticipation for the first of two huge bands that were to take the stage. I’ve been a fan of Fleshgod for a while now, and got into their music mainly because of the strong symphonic elements coupled with brilliance of the mythological themes that it’s based  on. But what I witnessed next was something that no number of words will ever be able to describe or amount to the sheer awesomeness of how it was to see them live. The rising voice of a female soprano filled the room, the tunes of ‘Temptation’ looming forth and one by one, members of the amazing Fleshgod Apocalypse emerged on stage. Dressed haphazardly in sleek looking coat-tails and faces smeared lightly with white paint, they looked like elite zombies from an 19th century Italian opera production but of course, one with a metal twist and with the most gorgeous hair I’ve ever seen. Overwhelmed by the very presence of this lot, I spent the next ten minutes pulling myself together as Fleshgod rioted into ‘The Hypocrisy’. As I watched Cristiano, Paolo and Tommaso (There are those awesome European names again!) , headbang together, in perfect timing to the rhythm, I couldn’t help but gawk like a little girl looking at something fascinating. The mystical aura that this band brings to the stage and their performance can be compared to the likes of Behemoth and Mayhem, theatrical, dark and for a lack of better words, friggin amazing. I looked at the crowd and saw that I wasn’t the only one who seemed enthralled by the band, there were others who were in awe of the Italian metallers.

Getting over it slowly, Fleshgod’s music got me from the moment they started and so did my head. Ripping out tracks from their various albums, most of the set featured tracks from ‘Labyrinth’ and ‘Agony’. “Only through pain and sacrifice can he become the pathfinder” Tommaso told us, before the band forged through with the thunderous gallop of ‘Pathfinder’. The room was but a blur of whirling heads during this track and pretty much for the rest of their set! Fleshgod Apocalypse command the utmost respect and the response they received from the audience was nothing short of deafening, appreciative and one of complete adoration. As part of an intro to most tracks, there was a dialogue by Tommaso that’s enough to give you chills down your spine. “There is someone living inside you, he could be your best friend or your worst enemy”. I’m sorry but even the greatest movies don’t have those kind of dialogues. Even if they do, it isn’t anything compared to the royal, dark and magnificent manner with which Fleshgod conduct themselves. At one point, he even brought out what seemed like an ancient book of chants, declaring something in what I think was Latin. Everything they did, was just classy, glorious and added so much character to their music.

I do have to mention two things here which I couldn’t stop fan-girling about. The first is keyboardist, Francesco Ferrini who caught my attention right from the start. With the darkest persona of the whole group, he played his keyboard like an eccentric magician or scientist, adding quite a comical element to his playing but maintaining a sinister look throughout. By god, he looked positively evil! But magician he was, his fingers sweeping over the keys with such ease that it was hard to take your eyes off him. The orchestral and symphonic elements is a real stand out in the music of Fleshgod and Ferrini ensured that we were aware of this and his presence. After almost every track, he’d come forward raise the traditional metal horns, give us death stares and then sail back to his keyboard. I don’t know if he meant it to be funny but it was absolutely hilarious and quite frankly, adorable! I’m still trying to recover from seeing them live, that’s just how fantastic they were. Watching Fleshgod Apocalypse is nothing short of an experience and equals to a religious pilgrimage or a world tour that one must pursue at least once in life. The ended their epic set with ‘ In Honour of Reason’ and ‘The Forsaking’ which put Ferrini in the spotlight for a couple of minutes which only evoked more cheer from the crowd.What happened next was hilarious,as one of the stage guys was drawing the curtains, Ferrini marched back out and ordered him to pull them back. I got excited assuming there was going to be one more song, but it was better. The band came out and humbly took a bow as would most theatre professionals and then took a photo with the Sydney crowd in the background. It was one of the happiest moments I’ve ever been a part of and Fleshgod Apocalypse shook hands and bid a warm farewell before going off stage for good.

It was hard to imagine the room getting anymore insane after the powerful Italians had their say, but clearly the final act for the night proved me wrong. As the lights dimmed down, the Manning consumed by darkness once again, the epic intro to ‘The Vampire from Nazareth’ loomed on picking up speed, the dimmed lights finally revealing the majestic and intimidating figure of Spiros ‘Seth’ Antoniou ( greek names man!). “DESTROY” he growled in the most beastly manner before the Athenian metallers raged into a battle of synchronized headbanging . He screamed encouragement for the crowd to get louder, and loud is what it was! Headbanging, moshing, I even spotted a couple of graceful dancers, you name it, it was happening there, but not a single person was standing still. With significant gestures, Seth brought a sense of grandeur and dark glory to the stage that I’ve only ever felt with one or two other bands. His deep guttural growls sounded fantastic live, keeping pace with the chunky bass lines. Christos Antoniou was a an absolute beast, and even that would be a grave understatement! With his gorgeous and unbelievably long dreads threatening serious damage to the walls and faces, both him and Sotiris bringing forth on their guitars some absolutely crushing riffs that were a real proverbial smack in the face, while the awesome Fotis Bernado made blast beats seem like child’s play.

The set was a treat for both old and new fans, because regardless, you couldn’t not move to the bludgeoning sound that Septicflesh create. With a number of tracks from their 2011 release like ‘ A Great Mass Of Death’, ‘Oceans Of Grey’ and ‘Pyramid God’, they also performed ‘Lovecraft’s Death’, ‘ Persopolis’ and ‘Communion’ from their 2008 album of the same name. Septicflesh perform their songs with so much depth and emotion that is evident in their faces, actions and their level of crowd interaction.“Sydney, I’m going to need your help in the beginning”, Seth ordered the crowd of crazed fans before raging forward with ‘Communion’ and who were more than happy to oblige. Getting the crowd involved throughout the night, seemed to be a priority for the Greeks, when Seth told the crowd that it was customary for there to be a Wall Of Death at a Septicflesh gig. “When I count to three Sydney, WE WILL DESTROY!”, which was exactly what happened next when Seth, the two sides raging towards each other with such a force, it was actually quite painful to watch!

There were times where Septicflesh’s music seemed to negate a creative variety and they were quite reminiscent of Rotting Christ. Nonetheless they really proved on the night why they’re one of the most respected symphonic metal bands out there. The magnificent aura they have is undeniable and the band have a superb chemistry. If anything, I have one complaint from the whole show which is just unacceptable. Throughout the length of the Septicflesh’s’s set, there were two idiots who stood ON the stage and were taking pictures, talking and air drumming. I understand if you’re a fan, or you’re helping the band while they are on stage, but that gives you no right to share the stage with them. Common courtesy should be to at least stand on the extreme far side, so that you’re hardly seen which is what the other bands were doing. It was quite annoying really and I hope I don’t have to see that again because it is just disrespectful to the one’s who are actually performing. Septicflesh returned for an encore with what was my favourite track of their set. ‘Anubis’ was stunning live as Spiros gave a little intro into the significance of the Egyptian God and got the whole crowd to chant the melodic intro to the song and again in between the chorus. It was enchanting to say the least, as the choral hums of the crowd backed the deathly growls and the heavy tunes of ‘Anubis’ which was followed by ‘Five-Pointed Star’. It was the perfect end to the night and I honestly did not want to leave.

But it was time to go and as I left, there were looks of happiness and some of shock everywhere. But I’m sure everyone who was present will agree with me when I say that it was a night to remember. The two opening bands couldn’t have put on a more flawless performance and it’s an absolute pride to have watched them perform in support of two of the greatest symphonic metal bands known to the world. Septicflesh were outstanding in their own light, playing with passion and energy, their music packing an absolute punch. But for me, it was Fleshgod Apocalypse that took the cake on the night. In terms of stage presence, musicianship, and that dramatic, brutal demeanor, the fearsome Italians made me an even bigger fan than before and this being their first time in Australia, i’m dead sure they gained a horde of new ones. Cheers to Metropolis Touring for bringing these two legends down!

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