This was the first show for me in this country and I have mixed feelings about it. I guess I’m not used of going to bars for shows (I don’t think there are any squats or social/free spaces to host shows) but that’s the rule here. So I went to the bar a bit after 8, paid the cover, got a stamp on my hand (oh this sucks) and got in. Guess what, this was an all-ages show.. which means that even if the venue doubles as a bar.. no smoking and no drinking is alowed in the show area! Fuck..
So the venue seems like a good place for a show: it’s not big, just enough to get full easily, it has a stage, it’s dark and there are a couple of pillars to block the view of the band from some spots. Just about right for a place that hosts punk and metal shows.. but it just doesn’t feel like a punk/metal show without the mix of smoke, spit beer and sweat in the atmosphere. Anyway. I didn’t know the first three bands that were to play so I didn’t know what to expect.
When I entered the venue Aldebaran had already started. They play a ultra-slow doom metal thing that I do like but not that slow! They had some faster parts, fast enough to slowly shake my head on the rythm and it was ok. Trees were the second band and I’m sorry but I just couldn’t like it. Again painfully-slow with some screaming vocals, sorry but it didn’t work for me. I was considering running to the bar in the other room for a quick beer but their set was very small. Next were Asunder from Oakland. They lit up some candles, turn most of the stage lights off, set the atmosphere just right for their very good set of.. yup, doom metal. I guess they’ve been around for a while because they sound really good. I need to listen more from them.
Last to play was ofcourse Corrupted, coming from Osaka, Japan. The place was full by the time they started and they managed to make everyone in the room to hung and stare in amazement. Their set was based on their latest sound and they didn’t play any of the raw stuff of their first releases. They gave and amazing set of slow, depressing, haunted sludge. Very well done! I like the fact that although they’ve playing for so long and have numerous releases, they keep a low profile, just perfect.
To make a last point: what the hell is that thing that in between the bands, the stage is cleared and different sets of drums and amps are brought on stage! Everyone has to play with their on gear? This caused big brakes between the bands and the show ended at 1.30. I didn’t keep track of the time to leave a little earlier and the result was to miss the last bus back home. So I had to walk, in the rain and cold for more than an hour (4.5miles~7km) to get back! that sucked…
