SECRETS OF THE MOON
HAMBURG KAISERKELLER 30/05/2008
After arranging to go to Party San open air instead of Under the Black Sun a couple of months ago, I was utterly vexed when Secrets of the Moon were confirmed as the headlining band. This is the only band who have ever come close to knocking Opeth off the top spot in my books - a very big achievement, as anyone who knows me will tell you (just ask Pete!).
This turned out to be an odd affair, as according to a security guard, the doors were at 8pm and the gig finished at 10pm. I had horrible visions of Secrets getting a half-hour slot (like the last time I saw them at Wacken 2007) and didn’t know what to expect when entering the venue. A brief chat with drummer T. Thelemnar dispelled a few worries as he hoped they would be given an hour, and that was just what I wanted to hear!
After two generic-sounding support bands who I didn’t really take much notice of, the stage was hurriedly prepared for an hour of German brilliance. Guitarist A.D.’s sleeveless ‘Blood Libels’ (3rd album by Antaeus) shirt provided me with a grin; it being a great album and it just so happens that the new Secrets bassist, LSK, is a lady who likes to cut her flesh and worship Satan. For those who that means nothing to, she’s also a member of Antaeus!
Having a good view of the set-list, I knew what treats lay in store for the 50 (!!) or so people left in the venue. Where all the Hamburg Black Metallers were is a question I’d like answered, and I have no idea why this band haven’t the recognition others in the scene do.
Down went the candles and incense sticks and on strode four bullet-belted Satanists. ‘Ordinance’ (one of 5 tracks aired tonight from most recent album Antithesis) opened the ceremony in style, Thelemnar’s rapid snare attack adding much malevolence to the slow-chorded beginning. I was absolutely enraptured and snapping away with my camera as if possessed, in an attempt to capture the glorious atmosphere onstage. s.G. was far more animated than at Wacken, thrashing his golden hair around with conviction and menace. To be fair, their Wacken performance had been inside a boiling tent, so I can understand why he may not have felt so energetic.
‘Bleakstar’ (from The Exhibitions MCD) was a great surprise to find on the list; the slow, stomping middle section sounding particularly powerful tonight. LSK, when not draped over her bass, head-banging, brought a look rarely seen on the Black Metal or even Extreme Metal stage; combining that ‘Metal as Hell’ look with femininity. Oh she looked good haha!
With ‘Ghost’ they absolutely soared and towards the end of the song I couldn’t resist a bit of air drumming to the very brief blast part. Thelemnar interacted with the front row (me included) whenever he had a moment to do so which was very amiable of him and you could clearly see he was enjoying himself.
‘Seraphim is Dead’ had the soft and thoughtful melodies the band developed so well on Antithesis, plunging head-first into a maelstrom of Black Metal shredding; a subtle horn adding extra drama and intensity as all else was flying along at speed. This was one of the tracks I had hoped would be aired tonight and it was mesmerizing to watch and listen to.
s.G. appeared to be pouring himself emotionally into his microphone during ‘Lucifer Speaks’, and standing in the front row watching this, I can only describe his performance as extremely passionate and charismatic. In fact it is rare that a band touches me like this these days. Guitarist A.D. finished the song off, slowly fading it into silence, appearing to be in a world of his own.
The Carved in Stigmata Wounds (their 2004 album) era was to start with ‘Cosmogenesis’; a song with possibly the catchiest Black Metal riff ever in my opinion. I was eagerly awaiting this moment, and the good sound tonight did it justice. ‘Miasma’ and its Black-thrash Celtic Frost moments ended this important era of the set, s.G. having taken over all of ex-bassist Daevas’s vocal parts, with the occasional backing bark from LSK.
All that was left was ‘Versus’ and its wonderful ascending leads. As they abruptly finished one section for the stop-starting chugs, it was noticeable that the two guitarists had gone ever so slightly out of synch with one another. Honestly though, unless you tour your lives away like a big name Polish band, these things probably will happen. It didn’t bother me in the slightest and actually reminded me that they were human after all – a fact I’d probably forgotten whilst watching them in a mesmerised state for an hour.
An absolutely fantastic performance; there really are no other words to describe it with!
Review by Oliver Cass
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