KATAKLYSM, BELPHEGOR, DARKEST HOUR, SUICIDAL ANGELS, RESISTANCE

January's third frosty Sunday in Zlín was in token of extreme metal. Canadian death metal masters KATAKLYSM found their companions for the last European tour before the new album's release in black metal guys from BELPHEGOR, their old American friends DARKEST HOUR, young trash metal Greeks SUICIDAL ANGELS and Belgian newcomers RESISTANCE. Although the show in Zlín was only fifth stop of the tour, the organization ran smoothly and everything got along without any problems. Despite all my expectations and the fact that KATAKLYSM visit Czech Republic more and more often, Masters of Rock Café was already two hours before the beginning of the show nearly jam-full.

Exactly at half past seven the young hardcore death metal pack RESISTANCE chopped out on the stage. A pleasant surprise was about to come for all those present. As soon as the first tunes sounded, headbangers began to gather in front of the stage and, which is not very common, the energetic show of young Belgians kept their enthusiasm sustained until the end. Within only 25 minutes of their playtime the band managed to play 6 or even 7 songs, with a surprisingly good sound and unexpected professionalism. I can't imagine a better beginning of the evening.

Shortly after eight o'clock RESISTANCE were changed for young greeks SUICIDAL ANGELS. You might have heard about them namely in connection with Rock the Nation Award they won in 2009 and as a result they signed a deal with Nuclear Blast, just like for example SONIC SYNDICATE did a few years before. Now if there still was someone who hadn't been brought in front of the stage by RESISTANCE, SUICIDAL ANGELS didn't leave him cold. Although they had to face some sound problems for all 30 minutes of their playtime, mainly on the part of the singer Nick, their old school trash metal heated up everyone. Hit songs like „Apokathilosis“ or „Inquisition“ made the show memorable for all metalheads.

At five to nine the audience welcomed melodic death metal DARKEST HOUR from Washington DC. Although I hold an opinion that DARKEST HOUR belong to the bands which can't show their musical qualities during a live show, their fans must have been satisfied. All the sound problems had been definitely eliminated and DARKEST HOUR really didn't have to feel ashamed for their technically perfect performance. Within their 40 minutes blasts like „Deliver Us“ or „The Sadist Nation“ could be heard.

At ten to ten the atmosphere in the audience began to deepen and Austrians BELPHEGOR appeared on the stage. From my point of view it was exactly the cow blood-bathed Austrians who spiced up the whole, otherwise a bit monotonous evening and heated up the fans with songs like „Bondage Goat Zombie“, „Stigma Diabolicum“ or „Justine: Soaked In Blood“.

Few minutes before eleven o'clock Masters of Rock Café was nearly bursting at the seams. KATAKLYSM have a really large fan base in the Czech Republic, which they proved among others also this summer at the Masters of Rock festival. There can be no doubt that their festival appearance was at least succesful, nevertheless it can't be up to always energetic and friendly, almost homy club concerts. Within 70 minutes of their playtime KATAKLYSM for a certainty confirmed their position at the top of death metal and during songs as „Blood in Heaven“, „Crippled & Broken“ or „Road to Devastation“ the band even traditionally headbanged with the fans on the stage.

The overall friendly mood of the concert and the musicians, who wilfully sauntered through the club, agreeable to chatter or drunk fans' hugging, didn't leave anyone cold and I can honestly say that no one could leave disappointed. For me a perfect start of the new year.