Harasai - Wounded Entrails

After both bands INSOMNIUM and GHOST BRIGADE had, independently of each other, great and successful tours in December we now got both of them together in one package to draw the tentatively sunnier getting mind into depressive depths again ;)

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As for me these both bands already would have been enough for one evening and thus promised extended playing times. But no, organizers put two local support bands prior the main bands and started almost in the afternoon. Well… at the end they did not kick off before 7pm…
Once again I and Wiebke joined forces to adore the Finns and with our Belgian company we experienced a fabulous evening :)

Just founded back in last year’s autumn :: WOUNDED ENTRAILS :: entered the stage and played an 30 minutes lasting set of progressive touched and tricky Hardcore. That caused many surprised faces, a Hardcore band opening this evening no one would have expected ;) Anyway, the youngsters (two of them just turned to 18) were not intimidated by anything or anyone and much self-confidently kicked asses. These cats acted so energetic that already at the first songs a cymbal stand fall into the drum kit ;) Always stating that he didn’t want to bore the audience with his talks, singer Tobi was talking his head off between the songs ;) He gave some background to the songs and told that they would have a second gig this night, to play the finale in a band contest. However, musically not really my cup of tea, but the guys were downright likeable. But, what me blew away at the end, was the guitar work by axe-man Cedric. Just turned to 18 that guys was so damn fast and tight, it left me speechless. Incredible!
Setlist: Erinyes, Ametria, Corpus Delicti, The Scalpel Enlivens The Festivitiy Of Penetration, The Esthesia That Deceives, Witness Of Nemesis, Dysmorphophobia

Next up was :: HARASAI :: The band just has its label debut, The I-Conception, ready, set to be released on July 2nd. Hailing from Essen, Germany, we got now treated with melodic Death Metal, offering some nice melodies and a proper portion of aggression. Seems like the guys could already gather a solid fan-base, the response at least was great. While the rest of the band was rocking their asses off, only guitarist Henrik stood pretty motionless in his corner. He looked a bit red-lined this way… However, the guys know their business and I think there is much more to expect in the future!

Finally! Time was right for the double feature we took this ride for :) :: GHOST BRIGADE :: started out with Deliberately from the debut record Guided By Fire and appeared so downright in good mood that it was a pleasure. During the show in December I experienced the band pretty restrained, so I was even more surprised to see them performing like that. Last show of the tour, maybe they already started partying? Well, seeing that singer Manne Ikonen only drunk water rejected this thesis (who says that there was no vodka inside? ;)). However, with the third song Into The Blacklight I put my cam away and joined the first row headbanging. Manne though seemed to have slight problems with his voice. Never mind. We got such a great and awesome show! GHOST BRIGADE almost played the entire masterpiece Isolation Songs, spiced up with three songs from the debut. From the first second up to the last dying tune, a thoroughly intensive and emotional show! Love them and adore them, cannot get enough ;) And it seems GHOST BRIGADE cannot get enough either! They are coming back in November, together with Amorphis and Orphaned Land… HOW FUCKING GREAT IS THAT???
Setlist: Deliberately, My Heart Is A Tomb, Into The Black Light, Lost In A Loop, Suffocated, 22:22-Nihil, Architect Of New Beginnings, Secrets Of The Earth, Rails At The River, A Storm Inside // Autoemotive

Before :: INSOMNIUM :: were able to jump onto stage it became so crowded in front of stage that I did not make it into the first row. With the first song everybody started headbanging, what a huge hair mess *lol* Frontman and bass player Niilo Sevänen surprised with his German language and made several announcements. I don’t remember that he did the same in Essen. Hmmm… Ok, for that the crowd here at the Matrix did not freak out that extremely as at the Turock ;) Nevertheless, INSOMNIUM played a stunning show, again! Although I have to admit, I liked Ghost Brigade a little bit more ;) The Finns went through the last three albums focusing on the current one, Across The Dark, they embedded songs from the predecessor Above The Weeping World and the sophomore Since The Day It All Came Down in.
For those, who cannot get enough: INSOMNIUM are coming back in September as support of Dark Tranquillity. Woohoo! And I can see them back home then!
Setlist: Intro, Down With The Sun, Drawn To Black, Daughter Of The Moon, Where The Last Wave Broke, The Harrowing Years, The Kill Joy, The Gale, Mortal Share, Devoid Of Caring // Weighed Down With Sorrow

As usual on weekends, shows start and end early to make place for the following disco. Luckily the Matrix offers a nice blend of genres on its three floors and the Rockpalast next door, where we spend some time rocking: Funnily the Rockpalast is a place of old activities for me, I already stood there in front of the mirrors 20 years ago with leggings and high-heels *laughs* Looking around… not so much has changed, “fashion”-wise ;) (And no, I did not wear leggings and high-heels this evening… :P) Oh, and so much time passed by since then… *sighs*

story & pics © Dajana