Behemoth (At The Gates)

You will hardly experience a higher intensity performance of Black Metal than this one.

Score: 5 out of 5

Buddies: Tom and Rainer with a friend

Merch: was too crowded 

Again: for sure

Discussing "Metal" can be difficult because its proponents can become quite strict about what it means and what not. With the emergence of "True Metal", the topic became delicate, if not a bit ludicrous. Take Steel Panther (though I truly adore them for what they do) and of course Manowar (they overdid the term until they became redundant, in particular if you are then even caught in playback performances).

If you look at it from distance, these discussions are mostly about how the style of Metal changed through time. Proponents of "the real thing" are sometimes unwilling to accept  these changes. By this, they also ignore that "Metal" has been so much about change, rebellion, but not establishment. And the name tells it all: "True Metal" ends up in establishment or satire.

But if "True Metal" refers to a band that really means it, then Behemoth is clearly True Black Metal band you must see live.

To me, Behemoth is THE artistic statement of this genre.  If you want to get an idea of what Black Metal is all about, just see them live. Yes, they wear mask and they are celebrate satanistic rituals on stage, but at least to me, it is neither too artificial, nor does it mean that I have to be a satanist to enjoy the gig (and I am clearly not :-). Similarly to e.g. Laibach in their genre, this band performs art for their audience. When they tell us during the gig: "Our joy is that you have joy!" - it tells you a lot. This does not sound like somebody that wants to convert you to satanism. Therefore, and as so often in art, the messages told here are far more sophisticated than the bold satanic symbolism would indicate. Just the same as with Laibach, who were so often mistaken as right wing fanatists. And for a reason, both bands are from the former COMECON region, where art is traditionally put into covert messages. Counter culture.

Besides this issue of what a Black Metal band actually wants to tell you, their musical performance was nothing less than exceptional. Also a very decent band, such as the supporting act At The Gates, just cannot match the intensity of the main act. The efforts put into all aspects of a stage performance fit to a perfect result.

What about the other guests besides me? As so often, polite and just enjoying the music.

Setlist

Wolves ov Siberia
Daimonos
Ora Pro Nobis Lucifer
Bartzabel
Ov Fire and the Void
God = Dog
Conquer All
Ecclesia Diabolica Catholica
Dacade of Therion
Blow Your Trumpets Gabriel
Slaves Shall Serve
Chant for Eschaton 2000
---Encore---
Lucifer
We Are the News 1000 Years