We are entering an interesting timeframe where bands that we consider rebellious upstarts and proponents of new blood are now celebrating landmark anniversaries. Gorgoroth are marking 31 years of hellish existence, not bad for a band that exists primarily to stick two-fingers up at the musical mainstream. To ensure that they are not supping bloodwine alone they have brought with them an impressive 3 bands undercard.  

Tasked with opening proceedings are Multi-national Black Metal Band, Aran Angmar. Fronted by the mightily imposing Jesse Peetoom aka Lord Agabor, Aran Angmar operate at the slower, yet ethereal side of Black Metal, with Agabor’s vocals providing a devasting, raw and powerful delivery. Aran Angmar have this amazing ability of building up tension with their music, usually opting to start with slow, halftime sections, which are more akin to Doom Metal, but slowly build up to an intense finale. In between this, Katatonia-esque clean vocals can be found, complimenting the vocals of Agabor, to create orchestrations that are ultimately evil but with hints of solace for those who can pick them out. The structure of Aran Angmar’s songwriting is stunning which provides a strong start to the evening.  

Impalement are from a distinctly different quadrant of the black metal universe to Aran Angmar. Their version of the infinitely malleable genre is quick and relentless. The tracks speed by, full of venomous intent. Rather than build up the simmering atmospherics they spread pure evil by bludgeoning us with laser quick pulsating riffs. The use of contrasting backing vocals creates a powerful three-dimensional soundscape that makes their material very much standout from the crowd.  Nominally a one-person vehicle for Beliath, the live incarnation of Impalement is impressively fleshed out to a high functioning four piece. The drummer is particularly impressive as he tirelessly pounds away to replicate patterns that were obviously originally created by a machine. Uncompromising and unyielding noise at its best.

Aeternus have been operating for the same length of time as Gorgoroth, but probably with a lesser degree of controversy and infamy. In the same way that the headliners exist purely because of the tenacious infallibility of Infernus (Roger to his mum), the flame that fans Aeternus has been kept alight by Ronny Hovland. Aeternus have always distanced themselves from the black metal scene preferring to call what they are doing “Dark Metal” (semantics semantics). There is definitely a distinct difference to be found in their highly-strung version of Death Metal.  Everything feels wrought and highly charged and it drips with malicious intent. It's brutal but with a dollop of theatrical intent. Twisted, inverted and wonderfully devilish.

What makes Gorgoroth stand out from the corpse-painted crowd is their natural ability to make songs that never once overstay their welcome. Each track is meticulously crafted to create a sense of urgency and atmosphere, with an impending sense of doom and danger within each passage. Their imposing sense of presence gives the whole performance a sizzling air of jerpedy.  Rebellion’s titchy stage means that there was some limitations in their usual dramatic stage presentation, however, it provides the opportunity to see a Gorgoroth that was stripped of all it’s bells and whistles and instead allowed the music to do the talking.  It is a masterclass in highly convoluted malicious intent as they race around all bases of their prestigious career. We get ancient Gorgoroth in the shape of ‘Katharinas Bortgang’ from “Pentagram” and we get, relatively, new Gorgoroth in the shape of ‘Kala Brahman’ from 2015’s “Instincts Bestialis”. In fact the only staging post of their lengthy career that they don't visit is 2006 “Ad Majorem Sathanas Gloriam”

From first track to last the crowd are massively receptive which is understandable considering they are a band that very rarely perform outside of the festival scene. To have them here in Manchester on a cold December eve feels like a veritable gift from Satan. Yes they give mayhem a run for their money in terms of lineup changes but this is still Gorgoroth, even if the wheels and axles have been changed multiple times. They just allude a magnificent aura of gravitas. They feel big, they feel buoyant and they just utterly fill the room. Black metal outer utter best.

Check the “In The Flesh” page for more photos!
Gorgoroth, Aeternus, Impalement, Aran Angmar