Another reunion of a renowned band: ARCTURUS. They disbanded in 2007 and reunited in 2011, with an uncertain future back then but now, 10 years after Sideshow Symphonies (Attention: anniversary!) a new album is set to be released, supported by a short tour throughout Europe. Arcturian is the fifth effort for the Norwegian Avant-garde metallers and right on time on its release day ARCTURUS made a stop nearby at the • Gigant Club • in lovely Apeldoorn, Netherlands. Last time I attended this club was in 2006, seeing The Gathering playing live still fronted by Anneke van Giersbergen ;)

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However, this tour package is pure Norwegian, almost pure Bergen-ish (except for ARCTURUS). KRAKÓW and VULTURE INDUSTRIES are both great bands and widely known. SEVEN IMPALE again was totally new to me. No wonder, it’s a very young band that started in 2010. Ok, let's get in and let’s start a ride through Norwegian musical craziness, genius and insanity.

There's no rush when the doors got opened. Most people still sat outside enjoying the beautiful weather and a cold brewski. About time :: SEVEN IMPALE :: entered the stage maybe 50 people joined in. SEVEN IMPALE is a band of young but very talented guys, playing progressive Jazz and with an acclaimed debut release last year. Ok, the music doesn't have so much to do with the above mentioned insanity. It’s rather quite complex and challenging yet not too tricky. It includes a proper portion of Jazz with the great saxophone play by Benjamin Mekki Widerøe. On this stint SEVEN IMPALE gather live and touring experiences. I think it is even their first tour at all. No wonder that they seemed to be a bit insecure, especially regarding interaction/communication with the crowd. They will get better with every show, I’m sure ;) It wasn't the easiest part of music but a great kick-off with benevolent feedback by the audience.
Setlist: Extraction, Oh My Gravity, Eschaton Horo

Next up was :: KRAKÓW :: who have released their third record Amaran in February. The stage got bathed in smoke and blue lights, perfectly suiting the dark, mesmerizing and intensive atmosphere, where Post Rock blends with acoustic tones, Sludge and Drone and singing alternated between clear and raspy. That kind of music that leaves you with closed eyes, feeling the bass vibrations and let your thoughts drift away, while heavy outbursts let you bang your head. I love that kind of music. It's perfect (which is not too surprising, right? ;)).
Setlist: Ten Silent Circles, Luminauts, Genesis, Last, Hymn To The Winds, Mound

:: VULTURE INDUSTRIES :: right after were definitely the fastest ones with the change-over. The soundman went around with a tablet and tuned the parameters. Done. Lights out and Bjørnar Nilsen jumped on stage with rolling eyes kicking in with The Tower. Now the venue is packed and madness got its outlet. Bjørnar masters the crowd like a puppeteer his marionettes. VULTURE INDUSTRIES once again prove what they are known for: a highly energetic, crazy and entertaining show. Bjørnar jumped, screamed and danced, climbed a box and danced on it, jumped into the crowd and sang along with them, while is band (all barefooted) play their asses off. Their music is likewise crazy, complex, as challenging as entertaining, and so much appealing. Not the easiest to access but not too tricky either. Nope, VULTURE INDUSTRIES did not disappoint! Great show!
Setlist: The Tower, Divine-Appalling, The Pulse Of Bliss, The Hound, Grim Apparitions, Lost Among Liars, Blood Don't Eliogabalus

Time has come for the one band everybody was here tonight: :: ARCTURUS :: The breather took a bit longer, while everybody was pushing close to the stage. ARCTURUS powerfully set in with Evacuation Code Deciphered. The stage outfit hasn’t change much from the shows in 2012. A bit more creativity in this matter would be much appreciated ;) However, except for Hellhammer, all band members seemed to be in best mood, grinned like a Cheshire cat and played with overwhelming enthusiasm. Much so like the new album Arcturian appears to be. Singer Simen Hestnæs’ (ICS Vortex) voice is in good shape, he’s not drunk, perfectly acts the madman and had a lot of fun. Due to his action he didn’t reach the highest tones, but that’s ok. He joked with the crowd and served red wine. Hellhammer was, as usual, hardly seen yet well-heard. ARCTURUS played a 12 song set, a best-of set through all albums but with only one new song (The Arcturian Sign). Bummer! Arcturian has so many good songs to offer that would kick ass live. It’s weird way to promote a new album I think. Maybe this short tour was just kinda wake-up call for the fans that the band still exists and a proper tour will follow sometime later. Unfortunately, after those 12 songs and hardly 70 minutes played the show is over, without an encore, although demanded by the fans. That was definitely a downer of a great concert evening. I mean, it’s not that so that they wouldn’t have any good songs to play live anymore, right? Well, great performance, just way too short I’d say.
Setlist: Evacuation Code Deciphered, Nightmare Heaven, The Arcturian Sign, Painting My Horror, Deamon Painter, Alone, The Chaos Path, The Code, Hibernation Sickness Complete, Master Of Disguise, Wintry Grey/Du Nordavind/Morax, Shipwrecked Frontier Pioneer

story & pics © Dajana & Dajana Winkel • Photography