Metal Odyssey

Unfortunately one yearns for the real thing after a couple of songs which leave no lasting impression and appear fleshed out by nu-metal riffs. Tragically Anders also appears to be of the same opinion as he is in no way as animated as with his day job. Wait for the real McCoy next year instead.

Moonspell impressed in their showing last year at LA2 but tonight they put on by far their best showing in the capital. The props, costume changes and pretension have now been replaced by a stripped bare performance which benefits from a stunning light show. Fernando Riberio also demonstrates himself to be a more than capable frontman and has the congregation in his pocket. The disastrous support slot to Type O Negative (the last time Moonspell played at this venue in 1996) is thankfully now completely banished such is the grit that they show tonight.

I have yet to hear the new “Antidote” CD and as a result did not recognise the first 20 minutes of the set, but this proved an irrelevance. The brilliant promotional single from said opus “Everything Invaded” set up a tour de force of a finale. “Opium”, “Devil Red” and the odd surprise like “Ruin and misery” were all thoroughly welcome and by the time we reach the closing strains of the God-like “Full Moon Madness” the audience is completely won over. A perfect sound, a performance of spirit, and festive cheer result in Moonspell departing like headliners.

Lacuna Coil now stand at a crossroads, whilst the venue is packed tonight there is no disguising the fact that with Evanescence’ surprise success international appeal is Lacuna's for the taking. My worry is that whilst their new platter – scheduled for release mid 2004 - is likely to follow the upward commercial and creative trend Lacuna Coil have enjoyed since their debut, although whether it achieves a significant breakthrough may be completely out of their hands. This is a band that Century Media HAVE to pull out all the stops to promote in 2004 otherwise they could easily fall by the wayside of other bands who DO benefit from such promotion. A quiet word then to those in the know out there - PLEASE DON’T F**K IT UP. This is a band who deserve the acclaim that they have received and their destined commercial success, but more importantly they deserve the chance to really show the world how female fronted goth metal should sound outside of these four walls. If it means that the record company has to live on beans on toast for a week then so be it!

Tonight Lacuna are short and sweet and one hopes they return in the new year with a longer set. The dodgy sound (with the bass too high and the guitar too low) threatens to suffocate them for a while but thankfully after two songs all is corrected. Cristina is far more animated than on previous showings and this time merges with her co-frontman Andrea Ferrio to the point that both appear to be singing off the same hymn sheet. The rammed Astoria doubtless helped but so does their new found belief in the material. There is no disguising the fact that it is the “Comalies” tracks that scar the greatest and in “Heaven’s a Lie”, “Daylight Dancer”, “Humane” and “Entwined” they have four absolute belters, capable of being held up to anything from the genre. Their version of the brilliant “Cold Heritage” unfortunately is not quite as spine chilling as the original but is still a delight as is the Paradise Lost-esque “When a Dead Man Walks”.

It's nice to be right. Lets face it it rarely happens to the best of us, but after first seeing Lacuna Coil at microscopic Borderline 2 ½ years ago I walked out and uttered the immortal words "that band will be massive". Now on Halloween 2002 they have had their solitary date in Blightly upgraded from LA2 to The Astoria due to demand, and while I cannot see upstairs the turnout downstairs is more than impressive.

There is little doubt however that many congregating here tonight are partly present due to Sentenced first appearance on these shores. Criminally underrated throughout the 1990's they are one of the few bands who have successfully managed to morph from the style the initially presented (death metal) to todays dark gothic metal band.

In this instant their rubicon was their 1994 watershed effort "Amok" and since then they have found their style and clung doggedly to it. And that style is Suicide Rock! With titles like "Noose", "Luxury of a Grave" "Dead Moon Rising" and "Excuse Me While I Kill Myself" subtlety is admittedly not their strong point but the material is rousing stuff nonetheless. Unfortunately Sentenced are tamed by a dire sound mix and never has the requirement for a Spinal Tap-esque number 11 on the amp seemed more appropriate.

So quiet is the sound that you can have a perfectly pleasant conversation at the back without raising your voice. Sentenced have literally been neutered. A shame since as a performance Ville & Co do not put a foot wrong. Dragging out a personal favourite "Sun Won't Shine" and a slew of tracks from the newie "The Cold White Light" the band play a faultless set, but someone needs a good kick in the gonads for this balls up.

Sentenced looking louder than they sounded.

Lacuna Coil can't fail and not just because the sound miraculously fixes itself. This is a band who comfortably can take the step up from clubs to real arenas. The swoonsome Cristina puts on a performance, to my mind, of far greater confidence than at last years Metal Odyssey show and Andrea's stage raps are quite simply hilarious; constantly reciting "LONDON THANK YOU VERY VERY MUCH!!!!" in a diabolical accent that had to be heard to be believed. As a result for laughter and "horn factor" there wasn't a dry eye or dry pair of boxers in the house.

Lacuna Coil point out the difficulties in using a 'point-and-aim' digital camera in the Astoria...

The rest of the band perform in stage long cassocks and it is easy to forget the part they play. Lacuna Coil are dominated at least in the media by an extremely foxy lady but this act have heavyweight live performers who etch quality with ever note. The songs aren't bad either. The recent "ComaLies" is probably their best release and the enchanting "Humane" and bouncy "Daylight Dancer" sound strong. Older material such as the all Italian "Senzafine" and acoustic thrash of "My Wings" also hit all the right spots and I was delighted that they dragged out "Falling Down" from the "In a Reverie" debut.

Just when things are heating up suddenly it's all over. Surely the shortest double headlining gig in history but as Cristina mentions the alterative was to be surrounded by uphill gardeners when G.A.Y opens at 10:30. Not, as the typical Brit would say "quite my cup of tea" but it didn't stop me getting hammered in a gay bar in Manchester on Saturday night!

At last a decent metal tour to get excited about hits Blighty. For what seems like an eternity, European metal labels "Nuclear Blast" and "Century Media", who have garnered impressive roosters over the last 6-7 years from humble beginnings, have failed to deliver when promoting this form of music in the UK. The usual excuses have abounded in the past, no scene in the UK, too much money, I've hurt my back etc, the fact is that the lack of touring activity in this country has been borne principally out of laziness.

2 of the 5 bands on show have proud ten-year histories but are making their UK debut tonight. There is a sense of disbelief about the whole event and the date being April Fools Day only heightens the irony. Any arguments about the lack of UK support, were to be quickly dispelled. Upgrading from the LA2 to the Astoria the turnout is very impressive and the atmosphere superb which would have made even the most simple minded hack sit up and take notice.

The 40 minute queue outside is such that I miss the entirety of Susperia's set. Here to promote their debut album "Predominance", a cynic would suspects their close affinity to Dimmu Borgir, (Susperia contain former members) is the reason for their trip here 5 minutes into their recording career while others have floundered in their attempts to cross the Channel. However such disparaging comments are unfair judging by the reaction obtained from the crowd afterwards which suggests they were worthy, although to many they were the only "support" band of the evening.

The anticipation for Nevermore reached fever pitch when their backdrop was raised. Their live inexperience in the UK meant they traded places with Lacuna Coil, which itself had implications on their time on stage, and while this left many feeling short changed with a 30 minute set, once they were in full flow no-one gives a toss. Supporting their recent "Dead Heart in a Dead World" opus, the album many wished Maiden's "Brave New World" had been, the American gunslingers attack the stage with their perfect brand of psycho-metal. "Inside 4 Walls", a paean towards injustice, rips through the crap Astoria PA, and you would defy anyone not to go ballistic.

A particularly fine "Next in Line" made way for their butchering of Simon and Garfunkels "The Sound of Silence" thrash metal style and they depart far too soon. Lets hope they get over here on a proper headlining tour before the year 2010.

Despite sounding like a spare part for a Renault Clio, Lacuna Coil are possibly goth metals greatest hope. Anyone who witnessed Lacuna Coil's magical showing at the Borderline last year would comment on the joyous rapport between the fans and the band that evening. A year later, with a new album cooling in the racks and in a much larger setting, here is a chance to preach to the unconverted - not that there seem to be many in attendance tonight. Cristina Scabbia and her merry band of Italian monks go down a storm. Christina remains Lacuna's trump card. The moment this enchantress wanders on the stage, all red lycra clad and Kate Bush mane, I know I'm not the only chap transfixed - as evidenced by the 50 or so blokes who immediately appeared to head towards the khazi! One suspects the appearance of Cristina would improve social relations in Oldham no end!

Wisely opting not to perform their more reflective material sandwiched between two heavyweights, the obvious highlights were a stirring "My Wings" and "When a Dead Man Walks" from the new "Unleashed Memories" opus, although it was a shame that the stark beauty of "Cold Heritage", admittedly more suited to another evening, was not heard. The Coil never quite reach the same majestic heights of the Borderline show, but one or two ambitious moments from the drummer aside, this was a decent performance and it cannot be long before they are headlining at the same venue.

In Flames receive a rapturous welcome. Frontman Anders Fridden is wearing what appears to be a pair of red pyjamas and Guitarist Bjorn' haircut resembles a Shane Embury-esqe brillo pad but we don't care.

Hindered slightly by the "vintage Astoria sound" (TM) that suffocates the first 10 minutes or so, the band put on probably the best performance of the evening. Storming through "Ordinary Story", "Episode 666", "Clayman" and the excellent "Food of the Gods" the strength of the material is undeniable and they are quite clearly overwhelmed by the response they get as Anders exclaims, "two words I've wanted to say for a long time... Hello London!" Even a two minute lighters aloft spell is positively vibrant, and it borders on criminal that we have been denied this so long. Shame they opted not to perform their brilliant cover of Depeche Modes "Everything Counts" though!

Dimmu Borgir' fan base is building nicely, and while some decry them as merely a poor mans Cradle of Filth there is little disguising their pulling power as evidenced by tonight. Nonetheless, can they convince live? After a ludicrous four minute intro that would have tried the patience of Terry Waite, Shagrath & Co finally emerge from the mists suitably attired and one gets the impression of impending theatre ahead but...it never quite happens. Like it or not, Dimmu Borgir owe much to the Peter Tagtgren school of Abyss production techniques and formulated image for their success, as the songs on this showing simply do not match what was heard earlier. Black metal rarely seems to convince live, (perhaps shown by Emperor's recent withdrawal from the live circuit), and the sound goes AWOL with the band making it patently obviously that they are simply going through the motions.

Ironically we are short of visual stimulation as well. Despite the presence of guitarist Galder and drummer Nick and their obvious earlier efforts in front of a mirror, the frontline consists of dark clad individuals standing around frowning and shaking their heads a lot - not exactly riveting. The crowd lapped it up though so what do I know. Here Dimmu Borgir were proficient if nothing else. Nevermind boys, I'm just one of many.

As we file out into the night sweat soaked and sore, we are all hoping this occasion was not a one-off as there is plenty more where this came from. The UK scene needs events like this to neutralise the tepid uninspiring dross that is moonlighting as rook music right now and to exorcise the demons.