BELPHEGOR, EASTERN FRONT & ETHEREAL –
LONDON CAMDEN UNDERWORLD – 08/04/10
With Nebukadnezza and For Ruin both disappearing from the bill for various reasons it’s the sinister intro tape of Liverpool’s Ethereal that first rings out across a half empty Underworld. Candles burn at the front of the stage in an attempt to generate some atmosphere and at first vocalist Diesektor nearly has to tear his throat to shreds to get his raw screams heard, buried as they are, deep in the mix. However as the chaos takes form during the machine gun blasting of ‘Apocalypse Of The Spirit’ the vocals rise up through the maelstrom and some seriously formidable power is generated. In terms of stage performance everything is a little static with Diesektor having to shoulder the task of audience interaction alone while his band mates stand rooted to the spot, staring intensely at their guitar necks. However it’s a relatively minor complaint and Ethereal are one of the strongest opening acts I’ve seen in a while. There’s a rare glimpse of black metal humour as ‘The Withered Hand Of God’ is dedicated to Jeremy Beadle – although the song itself is no laughing matter, delivered as it is with ferocious intent. Indeed the band just get stronger and more confident as their set progresses through ‘Crown Of A Thousand Horns’ and a sinister ‘Blood Stained Martyr’ to a suitably climactic ‘Lord Of Lies’.
Thanks to that fine set from Ethereal the venue is nicely primed when the music from the masterful film Where Eagles Dare blares from the speakers and Eastern Front take to the stage in a thick fog of dry ice. The initial power when they open up like an artillery barrage is electrifying. The essential spirit of black metal is epitomised by the sheer fury of their delivery. The smoke, spikes and corpse paint are all used to tremendous effect but when, playing devil’s advocate in my own head, I wonder if there’s a hint of style over substance they deliver a doubt crushing pile-driver of a track right on cue. ‘Blood On Snow’ is the expected highlight of the set but it’s a show stealing set from start to finish.
Belphegor sound crisp and powerful from the first note but somehow all the excitement and energy conjured up by Eastern Front just evaporates. There’s just no fire and the whole affair feels terribly lethargic. However I must admit that while I’m stifling a yawn and checking my watch there are a whole lot of people down the front going suitably berserk. Belphegor are clearly pleasing their crowd so I guess I’ll just have to accept that I’m not part of it. Even for me the set isn’t a complete flop as ‘Walpurgis Rites’ is a genuine explosion of fury and aggression that knocks you flat with its shocking velocity. However along with ‘...I Am Sin’ and ‘Justine: Soaked In Blood’ it’s a rare diamond amongst the turgid tedium.
Tonight it’s a win for Eastern Front, by a knockout.
Chris Kee
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