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Francis Bacon said
that all colors will agree in the dark. And in the dark music of
darkmoon all metallers (fans and critics ) who know the band, and/or had the pleasure to see it live
at least one time, agree. Darkmoon appeal, involve, affect the enthusiasm for extreme yet melodic music in the best way.
In a young career of 10 years (and i say young cause Darkmoon as band was practically born among the school tables) they have gathered a wide fan
base in Switzerland , making recently (225/2006) the triple jump of a label ink,
debut album and concerts in Germany. The way to Europe and the bridge over
the ocean is ready now that they balance the force of a fresh gusto with the maturity of a decade of
experience. it is right this decade that is celebrated tonight at the spacious
Volshaus in Basel . The true supporters are fans and friends that embrace their chosen ones again , being sure that Darkmoon will be formidable as always.
It is a punctual easy prophecy.
Of course Darkmoon don't celebrate alone on the stage. today, as
yesterday in Biberist, they are "accompanied" by two German bands, exactly Serpent Soul and Dark Age. Great occasion to attend again Serpent Soul (i promised it in my live report
"of Bitterness and Hate" - october 2005) and the suicide crew from
Hamburg around singer and guitarist Eike Freese.
Self-
irony and catharsis. Good or bad?
As you can imagine, Serpent Soul is the first band on the stage. In
camparison with the 2005 release party of Darkmoon's debut album, tonight they are more relaxed, always entertaining
(too entertaining)and in top shape. Serpent Soul have the time to develop a conspicuous
setlist from the moment that they can play more or less an hour. The sound is wonderful in the first and last
rows this is to say in the first part of of the pit just in front of the stage or near the entrance of room. On the contrary the whole middle zone near the mix-station is tormented by a such a horrible acoustic (in my opinion) that punishes a band that otherwise plays energetically and
harmonically. Needless to say, it's almost impossible to appreciate Serpent Soul's performance if not approaching the stage.
Fortunately this defect has been corrected for the 2 successive acts. Apart
from that the "Serpents" give gas and fire to all their strings (4) mixing the usual death metal
aggression with more melodic, balladesque moments. the task to warm up the crow is always hard, especially
when (almost) all hearts and minds were pulsing for Darkmoon, but the friendly and sympathic Serpent Soul
succeed. In particular the last part of the concert was the most intense, also because the ice was broken
and the self confidence grows. I cannot really add more to my impressions i got in 2005. Only that i noticed
clearly how much this band is well coordinated delivering really noticeable the virtuosos on the strings.
Yes i could open a kind of discussion wondering whether if 3 guitars aren't really too much (are they?), but i don't think such a discussion could interest that much at this point. interesting is surely to see how
Serpent soul try to deliver a style of their own, how they enjoy the show, and how they constantly look for each other in order to coordinate
in the best way chords arpeggios, staccatos and whatever their music needs.
I have only one critic for these great Darkmoon friends, this entertaining
thing: they are too entertaining and in particular too self-ironic for a
Death /Thrash ambience. I explain myself better: first off i think Serpent Soul, after
all , is an emotional band, so i have the impression that, in order overcome the impact and to win definately the audience, they break the tension of their music with short witty remarks, that actually are amusing but
that, at the long run, underdramatize the music and constantly interrupt the atmosphere created by the songs.
I think it can be called "catharsis", although not excessive as such , even few drops of catharsis can do
harm for this kind of music. Just my opinion.
Natural
born Metallers
Darkmoon hit the stage as second band. But
i think you will have no difficulty to believe me, when i say that they are the moral and actual
"darlings" of the evening. Couldn't be different. this is their celebration.
These are their fans.
Once you "discover" Darkmoon, you run a 90% risk to remain perpetually infected by their simply brilliant, addictive and mighty music. After the sinister and mechanical
"Terminator" intro, Matthias Borer, Gianrichy Giamboi, Christian
Waltert , Pascal Rechsteiner and Laurent Strack possess immediately every living soul in the pit.
Welcomed as stars, they are actually ready for the big success. Thing which i personally fear for
every band. Nonetheless Darkmoon deserve it. Very soon they will enter the studio to record their second full length, so, if well begun is half done, the second album will top the already blasting "...of
Bitterness and Hate". Well begun? Indeed. We can hear 3 new songs today
, songs that have immediately left an awesome "taste".
Which are the best features of this concert? Shortly said: perfect esprit de corps, great shape, mature and dynamic stage acting.
Frontman Matthias Borer (for me personally the best death metal singer
after Maurizio Iacono) looks excellent, perfectly trained and motivated. The setlist
coudn't be better. Opened by the strong Damned, the set presents at once as second track
Dust in my Eyes, bringer of wrath and sorrow. One of the leading hits of the debut album and since 2006 (thanks a million to you
Darkmoon!) cover track of gryphonmetal.ch too. I remember the first time i listened to this track at the studio.
The same emotion i meet now. It comes one of my favs ever, which is also beloved by all
fans: Winds of Death (from the mini "Black Domain"), with a great Black
Metal imprinting. Winds of Death is lava flowing down our necks. By the way
necks, Darkmoon are exquisitely bangeable! We are deep in powerful feelings of bitterness, anger, pain and sorrow that morph in strength and endurance, cause Darkmoon music is never resigning.
Lost Souls is followed by the
preview I will be the last (if i have understood well the title), which immediately sounds cadenced and addictive. Just give me a second listening and i will confirm that this song will be one of the next
toxins against which it's impossible to produce antibodies. Enthusiastic for the preview, we receive the following well known
Drowning (from "...of Bitterness and Hate) and the older always mesmerizing Last Kiss
Final Embrace from the EP "Remains". We have turned back the career time of the band from the future to the past with the same
intensity in just only 3 songs. "Are you ....?" asks sinister Matthias " ready for the Bitter End?".
Bitter End speeds up like an obscure mechanism and offers a noticeable guitar stacco played by
Gianrichy. But in almost each song , as often mentioned in other reviews, the interlace between the 2
Ibanez is super. The work of guitarists Gianrichy and Christian is a dialogue, the solo of one follows the rhythm of the other
and vice versa, when the twin rides don't call for a common wall of riffs.
We are already used to the constant and elastic
contribution of bassist Pascal to the rhythmics. And let's add that Pascal's backing vocals get more and more authority. powered and empowered by the French motor behind the skins, Darkmoon are unstoppable and
drive the new My Misery, along with Evil Goddess of the Night, the third preview
The Hate still burns, and the coat of arms Black Domain in a
vivid rally. Melody and intense feelings then crown the compositive high quality.
As always, another great gig, and the fans are very satisfied. Darkmoon is a guarantee for live like it should be.
The only small remark is that at the very end of Winds of Death, the bands worked hard in order to
maintain the tone. That's all, and only if you want to find a point to criticize at every cost, otherwise you are not considered a
critics-journo ;P (and i couldn't care less) . Finally, some more
important things to report: the first one is he presence of former drummer Patric
"Hubi" Hubacher, always remembered and loved by the fans. To him the honour to play with the band the last song, the encore of the gig:
the fast Far from Heaven supported by a warm expression of affection.
Second point the thanks given by the band to the fans, to all who have walked together with the
band in these years, and to 3 online metalzines for the support: Gryphonmetal, Taste of Black and Metalstorm
(i apologize if i forget someone). Oh and still another feature: a couple of well controlled pyros greeted the concert. Happy
birthday, Darkmoon, natural born Metallers!
"Mission
impossible" for the crew
Time for the suicide crew Dark Age from Hamburg (also around since almost 10
years, right?) . Our GM official review about their homonimous album
"Dark Age" was enthusiastic and indeed i agree concerning the
music: gosh there are some passages that are impressive, hey!.
Their melodic death metal is spiced up by a uptempo
twisting Rock'n Roll. Extreme aggression alternates with harmonious dark, almost gothic backgrounds, but also with rockin' push and many
solos. It's true, in their music you can find traces of Soilwork, Dark Tranquillity but also important is an angry rolling spirit coming
from new gothic/alternative wave. Personally i would have preferred to see Dark Age on another occasion, although their headlining is surely attractive.
Better said it's a true honor that such a great band , that cooperated with Tiamat's Johan Edlund, is here
tonight, from the German up North.
Anyway i have mixed feelings concerning the live in itself....to cut a long story short, the sound comes to me too perfect, i have the impression to listen to a cd,
and some members in the line up look actually very different as directly
beamed from other genres (although this mirrors a bit the true soul of the
band); for example the bassist (great bassist by the way) who has a marked
gothic/modern presence. Apart from that, or right for that, Dark Age have been protagonist of a good final concert
and fulfilled the titanic "mission" to interest many (but not all)
Darkmoon fans after Darkmoon.
dalia di giacomo
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY
DARKMOON!
PLEASE GIVE US ANOTHER DECADE OF DARKNESS
(....and in 10 years let's deal for
another 10 years, ok?)
the GM Team |
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