Live Reviews : Behemoth, Watain & Bölzer @ Max Watts, Brisbane 01/10/2015

Words: Jake Patton

Images: Rebecca Reid

(Click here to view the full gallery)

While Australia has been treated to many different metal shows this year from far and wide, this years premier Black Metal offering would have to be ‘The Satanist’ tour, which, luckily enough hit Max Watts in Brisbane.

I must admit that I was surprised when I saw Swiss band Bölzer take the stage, having only heard a few of their songs on YouTube a few years prior, I was shocked by the fact that for a band with their particular sound, that they were only a 2-piece. I definitely regret not listening to them more previously, because they were just incredible.

The incredible guitar and vocal work of KzR had me mesmerised for most of the set, I haven’t seen strumming that efficient or fast for a very long time and watching they way that he played was just something short of breathtaking. It was the sort of performance from him that made me want to go home and instantly grab my guitar and practice. HzR on the drums also put in a very solid effort, with the bass line from his drumwork laying a lot of the foundation for the guitars to shine. Unluckily, just when it seemed that the crowd was getting into the performance, the band had to finish up and the stage curtains were drawn in preparation for the next act.

If you ever wanted to witness a show that was by all sense of the words Black Metal, then you definitely can’t miss Watain. From the minute that the curtains opened, it felt as if there was a dark, diabolical presence that had taken over the venue. The stage ornaments probably helped further this, with inverted metal crosses positioned directly at the front of stage, and further crosses positioned at the back of stage adorned with snake skin and skulls next to the bands banners.

I have always been a long sighted admirer of Watain, often taking the time out to watch them at festivals but never really getting up close and admiring the intricacies. That’s a mistake that I won’t be making again after this show, because for a band where immersion in their craft is everything, once you experience that energy up close, you won’t ever be able to feel differently. One thing that instantly hit me was the smell – I can’t in all honesty tell you if it belonged to the band and their costumes, or if it was just someone next to me in the pit, and I’m not too sure what it was, but it could best be described as a mix of cow manure with muddy boots. I think that the fact that it seemed to disappear when Watain left the stage, means I can deduce that it was a further part of their show (as I have known in the past the band to have done some serious things to enhance the imagery of their show).

The highlight of Watain’s set for me was when vocalist Erik Danielsson walked out on stage with carpet pythons across his shoulders. That sense of anxiety where you know that these creatures aren’t dangerous, but still provide you with a creepy feeling, just heightened the performance and gave you a real sense of how immersive that this band is with their work.

Musically, the band was excellent tonight, with their setlist of nine songs covering their 17 year discography catering to fans of both old and newer material, but eventually they had to make way for the main headliner of the night.

By now the crowd had well and truly packed out. There was a lot of people here for the supports, but the main drawcard that everyone wanted to see was just around the corner. I think it is a true testament to Behemoth that by looking at every one of their photos that they post taken after every show that they are standing in front of completely packed crowds. There is no other premier live band that I have had the privilege of watching (nine times now), that has made me leave with nothing but a sense of pure admiration.

From the darkening of the venue, where guitarist Seth, bass player Orion, and drummer Inferno take the stage, you are instantly filled with such an indescribable feeling. Waiting just long enough for you to take everything in front of you in, Nergal slowly strolls on stage hoisting two lit torches.
As sublime as a puppet master hoisting the strings of a marionette, Nergal merely needs to present on the stage before the crowd is placed firmly in his hands and all eyes shift to him.

This is just the tip of the iceberg. The degree of engagement that Behemoth has is something that, although subtle, is monstrous in magnitude. It is for this reason that it is often replicated but never reproduced in such a light. Whether it be a piercing glare from Nergal or Seth, or a bass slap call to chant from Orion, there is never any room for a passenger at a Behemoth show. Performing probably one of their most versatile, yet enjoyable setlists, tonight’s key highlights, amongst the numerous that could have been listed, were hearing the crowd going ballistic to hits such as “Blow your trumpets Gabriel”, “Slaves Shall Serve”, and “Decade of Therion”. Such is the nature of the Behemoth backcatalog that all of these songs were covered off within the first six songs of the show!

The Behemoth stage show itself is nothing short of fantastic. This is a show that has been worked on and carefully perfected to the point where every step is taken and every movement is calculated. You can sense the great pride that the band takes in their work and it pays off with the reactions from the crowd.

Closing with “O’Father, O’Satan, O’Sun”, the band didn’t hang around for pleasantries and left the stage while the last notes ringing out, such is their custom. It creates one of those moments where you really are left with nothing but a sense and feeling of “how special was what we just witnessed”.

I have watched bands performing across a number of stages here and in Europe, I have come out hoarse and unable to talk numerous times from countless shows, but I can honestly say that I have never felt that feeling of elation that I felt when I left this show – something that only bands like these, performing at their peak, and bringing you deep inside their world, will ever be able to capture.

Don’t miss out on the remaining dates of Behemoth’s ‘Australian Satanist Tour’, with Adelaide’s show happening tonight. Whilst allocations for Adelaide and Sydney have been exhausted via Soundworks Touring, tickets for these shows are still available via the venues, Oztix and Moshtix.

October 2nd – Fowler’s Live, Adelaide ALL AGES
SOUNDWORKS TOURING ALLOCATION SOLD OUT! Tickets still available through www.moshtix.com.au or at the door!

Related Posts

• 

  El Colosso – Forgotten Ancestors
• 

  HJELVIK – Welcome to Hel
• 

  AC/DC – Power Up
• 

  Depravity – Grand Malevolence