Behemoth, Bolzer, Thaw // Principal Club , Thessaloniki, Greece // 18.04.2015

BEHEMOTH’s shows are always the best way to stay in touch with evil in general. Thus, their show in Thessaloniki was almost sold out, not only because thesePolish are one of the top bandsin what they do, but also because they have a killer record out and there was no chance for any metalhead to lose this great mass!!! Together with them two other bands Bolzer and Thaw made it almost impossible to refuse this concert in any way, so we where there and you shall know what you’ve missed!

On arrival, due to earlier opening of the doors, THAW were already on stage in the middle of their half hour setlist. Their obscure black metal was fascinating. With elements of avant-garde/post-metal breaks and an austere and professional theatrical stage show, I believe this band should have its chances for success.

Next band on stage would be the Swiss duet under the name BOLZER. With one guy on the drum kit and a giant guy on guitar/vocals they owned the stage with their minimal songs but filled our minds with images. Unique in presence and in concept Bolzer played their 40 –minute long set almost without any stop and their sound which circulates around mid tempo old school black metal with death metal vocals and some clean elements, kept warming up the almost crowded venue.

Truly a band to catch upon in future concerts but I’d say they seemed to be more fit for smaller venues with bigger setlist. I have to admit that their minimal light show as well as the sound mix gave them even more horns up to their overall stage appearance!

After a 20 minute long stage set up for the night’s headliners, during which “Night Eternal” by Moonspell was played in loop, to the point of sickness, the lights go down and Behemoth announce their stage show with the reversed chants and fire elements in both hands by mastermind Nergal! Kicking off a setlist that is based on their latest release “The Satanist” one couldn’t expect any other track intro than “Blow your trumpets Gabriel” with the crowd turning insane and the band really on fire.

Without any doubt Behemoth have managed to move one step further to what entertainment business is all about and they offer a great one and a half hour show with complete lights’and stage elements’ show. Smoke bursts turnig every now and then the stage into hell, fires, pentagrams, iron stands, snakes, corpsepaint, and a red pained devil looking guy guest drumming with their drummer on one of the songs made it almost impossible to move your gaze anywhere else but the stage.

Theatrical movements, passion and surgical precision while performing their advanced technical music themes. Really breath taking and professional to the bone, Behemoth are today’s best blackened death metal act by far in any term. Don’t miss them not only because of their music but also for their show, they know what they do and they do it damn good!!!

ΒΕΗΕΜΟΤΗ SETLIST

Blow Your Trumpets Gabriel
Ora Pro Nobis Lucifer
Conquer All
Decade of Therion
As Above So Below
Messe Noire
Christians to the Lions
Ov Fire and the Void
Ben Sahar
Alas, Lord Is Upon Me
At the Left Hand ov God
Slaves Shall Serve
Chant for Eschaton 2000

Encore:
O Father O Satan O Sun!