UNANIMATED, OFERMOD, MALHKEBRE, CHRISTICIDE, PEST, DUSKEN, NEFASTT

Germany, in general, offers a wide spectre of metal events during the whole year. I had an opportunity to attend a Black Metal concert, which has a quite long tradition by now and presents the most obscure bands from the Black Metal underground. I am appealing to Nacht der Drohenden Schatten Part VIII, which took place in Speyer on 27th February 2010.
There were seven bands playing in the following chronological order: Nefastt, Dusken, Pest, Christicide, Malhkebre, Ofermod, Unanimated.

NEFASTT: I was wondering, how could a band with almost no discography get to play such a gig. Since I heard them play I understand and even purchased their demo. They played with excellent dynamics, deep drum passages, drums in general were great. It seemed that the drummer is very dedicated to what he is doing, he played with feeling, powerfully and he also did some vocal parts at the same time. Amazing! Their music consists of very slow, heavily atmospheric parts which with some time evolve into fast and catchy riffs. Imaginative guitar solos surprisingly fit into their music.

DUSKEN: German band with two good full-lengths. Combination of bad sound and unsure playing did not persuade me. Although Dusken are skilled and talented, using techniques which are rare in Black Metal – for instance tapping. In such cases covers are always the solution to escape from bad impression. Darkthrone for the win.

PEST: A German horde existing longer than a decade, but somehow the disappointement of the evening. Clean guitars were the best part of their performance, both vocals were somehow in the background. It was not a bad performance actually, quite intense but not even close to enchanting.

CHRISTICIDE: The highlight of the evening. Really chilled-looking guys who take their mission very seriously (but not too seriously as some later mentioned bands) and have a down-to-earth approach to public and performance itself. Their music is absolutely great and so was their performance.

MALHKEBRE: I was actually expecting a great band behind this name. It would be unfair to blame the whole band for such disaster, for the band was playing decently, it was just the vocalist who was in frenzy, some imaginative higher state of mind and ruining the whole performance with it. He made the whole band look stupid. It was pure acting. Not a ritual, not a gig, just theatre. But… One should be open minded for what the band is offering, not refusing it just because it is different or inappropriate. Every band has it's own way of expressing. Then it is up to us to decide who's expression reaches our standards.

OFERMOD: They do something what little bands have guts to do, because there is a big chance they will be laughed out and not taken seriously. Or maybe other bands got the fact that a concert, a performance, a show, serves for entertainment purposes only and will never be a ritual, mass or anything religious. If not for anything else, then just because of one simple rule: Ritual may never include the beholder. I highly appreciate the work of this band and I think they are smart enough to realize that such 'rituals' are not meant for public, at least not with this kind of recipients.
Anyhow, Ofermod were probably the most expected band of the evening for the most of the gathered crowd. The beginning of the concert did not sound promising. It was like listening Pralayic Withdrawal under water. Later on the sound got much better and the performance became very intense. All in all a very good show. And I did not expect it any differently.

UNANIMATED: The band played until 2 A.M. and by then I was completely disconnected from this planet. I was very positively surprised. Live they showed their music in all it's grandeur. Their music was much more intense live than it is on recordings. Despite the late hour they attracted numerous public with their great performance.

On the end I would like to dedicate a few words to the organisation which was absolutely great. Tons of merchandise, no major (or unexpected) delay and a good hall . Thanks to the people who made it possible.