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Jaxx Nightclub - Springfield, VA
9-16-2005
also featuring:
Brave
Todesbonden
Guillotine
It really is a shame that this show did not sell out. It makes me feel sad for all the sorry saps who missed out on an amazing show. Tough luck for them. More metal for me! After coming into the club, we took up our position on the front row, stage left. Perfect for taking in the glory that is Therion!
First on the bill however, was Guillotine, a Virginia band playing in the vein of oldschool Priest and Maiden. The crowd response was good, especially when they covered "The Trooper" (If you don't know who made that song then just get the fuck out).
The next two bands (both local acts as well) were more similar stylisticaly to Therion. Todesbonden came out next. They take your typical power metal instrumentation (guitar, bass, drums, keyboards), and add to it a violin, and fronted by a female vocalist, who also happens to be a trained soprano. Their music was very ethereal, creating subtle moods. More atmospheric stuff than your typical metal fare.
Brave, the next group to hit the stage, uses a similar instrumentation as Todesbonden, although the frontwoman's vocals are more inspired by contemporary melodic vocals (mainstream if you will) as opposed to operatic vocals. The songs also had a bit less grit to them than Todesbonden, and had a less gothic approach. They definitely impressed me with impeccable songwriting. Bought a couple of their cd's after the show, and I can tell I am going to be listening to them for a while.
Finally Therion hit the stage. And they didn't just hit it, they blew it the fuck up! All I can say is if you have the chance to see this tour, DO IT! After all it took them long enough to finally come back to America. Who knows when they will be back next.
They opened with Blood of Kingu and the energy level onstage was amazing, especially considering their age. The energy was consistent throughout. All the orchestral parts played from backing tapes; it would be kinda hard to fit an orchestra into a nightclub. The backing choir (2 male, 2 female) sounded great, as did solo soprano vocalist Karin Fjellander. Mats Levin (hired lead vocalist) sounded great live and definitely added a dimension to the band that is missing on Therion's Live in Midgard cd (which does not do their live show justice by the way). It was very cool the way he sang some of the older songs, as well as absolutely crushing on the material from the Sirius B and Lemuria albums. He also showed how versatile he can be, as he doubled some of the operatic vocals when he wasn't singing other parts! I personally hope that Levin and the band continue to collaborate in the future.
As I said the energy level was absolutely through the roof on this show. High points had to be Uthark Runa from Lemuria (what a crushing choral section!) and the crowd was at its most intense during Ginnungagap from Secret of the Runes (my personal favorite of theirs). What else can I say. The band was insane; running around, feeding off of each other, Levin throwing his mic stand into the air and Karin Fjellander seeming to float through it all, calm like the eye of the storm that is Therion!
They encored with a couple classics, and after that we all thought it was over. Just as we were about to start filtering out, Jay, the owner of the club came onstage and did something you don't see too often. After praising how proffesional and amazing the band were, he got the crowd whipped up and we got the band to come out for a second encore! I knew the first one was planned (I saw the setlist) but this one was completely off the cuff. The band came back onstage (sans the choir) and ripped through a cover of Mercyful Fate's "Black Funeral" which of course, was amazing. Levin definitely knew his King Diamond, as his vocals were spot on. Christofer (Johnsson - band leader/rhythm guitarist) concluded by promising they would be back soon. Here's looking forward to that as this is one of the best shows I have seen to date. Guitars were slung, heads were banged, and we all went home happy!
Therion Setlist:
Blood of Kingu
Uthark Runa
Invocation of Namah
Riders of Theli
Black Sun
The Invincible
Typhon
Ginnungagap
Seven Secrets of the Sphinx
Asgård
Schwarzalbenheim
The Khlysti Evangelist
Wine of Aluqah
The Rise of Sodom and Gomorrah
1st encore:
Cults of the Shadow
To Mega Therion
2nd encore:
Black Funeral (Mercyful Fate cover)
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