CHILDREN OF BODOM, MOONSORROW & KIUAS
LONDON ASTORIA, 08/03/08
It was early doors tonight due to a rare GAY performance by Pete Burns afterwards. I know there was mention of giving the Astoria a facelift but not really what we had in mind for improvements. Well, as the first group of this triple pronged Finnish attack took to the stage they already had bodies pressed up against the barrier in expectation and the venue was quickly getting very busy. I had a feeling that some were in position for the night and thanked the fact that youth means somewhat stronger bladders as it could get messy in the photo pit otherwise.
With new album ‘The New Dark Age’ along with 2 older ones being re-released later this month Kiuas gig was a bit of a sales pitch to those that had not heard them. Having caught the band at Bloodstock I knew what to expect but the Monty Python intro and picture of Stonehenge on the group’s set-list were surprising and very apt for this only UK show. Opening and new number ‘The Decaying Doctrine’ set the mood for the evening nicely with its crunchy instrumental attack and anthemic “Fire reigns down from the heavens” chorus. This is one solid sing along number make no mistake and with the spiky keyboard flourishes, was an instant winner as far as the audience were concerned.
Musically I love this lot, even if singer Ilja traditional vocal technique isn’t my favourite sort of style. By ‘Of Ancient Wounds’ they had the whole place bouncing about and I was slightly thinking that the mixture going on here with a Nevermore ballast and a Soilwork kind of vibe could perhaps be described as nu-power metal, which is frankly a preposterous idea. There was no set formula here though. ‘Across The Snows’ had everyone clapping along before driving drum flurries blasted away leading to a more traditional chant. The bearded guitarist and bassist put on an energetic show and one thing that must be emphasised is the fact that Kiuas are metal to the hilt. With the battle metal fury of ‘The Spirit Of Ukko’ really blazing away I was well and truly won over even if I will never be able to listen to this band without thinking of Planet Of The Apes due to that song title.
I had never seen Moonsorrow and was really looking forward to them. In fact having only heard V Hävitetty a couple of times and not picked up their back collection I wasn’t going to be too familiar with what they played. I did expect long songs and although there were no half hour epics I was instantly bewitched by this thoroughly involving and utterly mature musical flow. Hugely epic and atmospheric with meandering guitar chords shimmering away and losing you in their glow you were suddenly likely to be whipped back into reality with a full on rage catching you completely off guard.
Photos took priority at first and it was actually appreciated being asked to leave so I could concentrate on the music more fully. It is also difficult trying to take pictures when they suddenly burst into a mad hurdy-gurdy which necessitates a jig and a half. As for the band themselves daubed in blood, for some reason the word ‘Godlike’ seems to have been scrawled down and being one not to be used lightly and adding to this ‘triumphant’ I think it is fair to say this was a show that was literally blowing me away.
It mattered not that vocals and song-titles were all in Finnish, the music itself spoke an age old language. I am sure singer Ville shouted out ‘Total Fucking Darkness’ before one number and am equally sure it was no Cradle Of Filth cover. Guitars at times reminded of the sheer majestic Ukrainian overtures of Drudkh and the passion flowing through the music was simply untouchable. Being a picky bastard the one thing against the band was the utterly rammed out venue, there was no room to pit to bursts of accordion or even hardly any to stamp feet to the more trollish moments. Cannot wait to see them again at the forthcoming Pagan Fest shows in April; Moonsorrow are a truly special band.
Having said this about Moonsorrow, the opposite is true for Children Of Bodom who seem to work best in a packed out venue more so than I personally find they do at festivals. After the excellent Napoleon XIV ‘They’re Coming To Take Me Away’ intro the band literally launched themselves into ‘Six Pounder’ and whether it was with or without fries is open to debate. Those of us up close and personal had the lovely sight of seeing Alexi vomit up big chunks of something that Pete Burns could probably use as ballast all over the stage. I guess it was the dodgy take away to be blamed as no way could anyone play this well if they were pissed enough to throw up (and no I didn’t take a photo). ‘In Your Face Indeed!’
Moving swiftly along and being driven into ‘Hate Me’ after a guitar swap by that unmistakeable Psycho synth-line it was obvious the Reaper wasn’t going to claim the singer with food poisoning quite yet. Despite the absolutely stewed to the gills venue it was the group that had loads of space at their disposal. Without the cluttered junkyard set-up that they have had last couple of times I caught them, Alexi, Hennka and Roope had a huge expanse of space to cover and at times looked lost. In fact in one instance Alexi literally pushed one of the band members to centre stage. He certainly does a good job of getting to the front himself and entertaining us with V shaped axe resting on his knee and fingers flying up and down the fretboard.
Watching from the comfort of upstairs (yeah I chickened out) now I watched the crowd struggle to stand as title track and number 1 in Finland single Blooddrunk flew out. This and ‘Tie My Rope’ (actually an older number reworked) were the only tracks from the forthcoming album aired. ‘Angels Don’t Kill’ with its magnificent Hypocrisy sounding power chord chilled things down a little bit but following it up with ‘Needled 24/7’ was an obvious way of getting the pit exploding into action for the first time and a crop circle quickly formed on the precarious dance floor. I’m sure I heard a cheeky burst of Rush before we were thrust into ‘Follow The Reaper’ and my interest in Bodom had certainly been reinforced this evening. Watch this space for a forthcoming interview and album review.
Pete Woods
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