MORBID ANGEL, KATAKLYSM, MARDUK, KEEP OF KALESSIN, ARSIS

The gods came back

16.12.2008 Warsaw/ Stodola (POL)

December 16, 2008. Tuesday. Nasty weather, sorrow and nostalgia. I turned up in Stodola just few minutes before 7 p.m. and there it is – the first surprise – everything goes according to a plan, full professionalism… I lucked into the last minutes of ARSIS on stage. A good melodic sound, they play mathematically.. I don’t know their music but I should look over their discography.

Another band challenged that night was KEEP OF KALESSIN. Last time I saw them they were supporting Satyricon and I must admit they made a better impression then. Although it’s noticeable that the increasing number of gigs influences the Norwegians’ form but something was missing that night. They played Crown Of Kings, Winged Watcher, Many Are We. That’s all for “Armada”. As for stuff from recently released “Kolosus”, it came off rather dull and unconvincing. Generally correct but lacklustre.

A-few-minute break, a few memories with old friends… I could have a chat all night but there it comes – MARDUK the great! A very good beginning: ‘Cold Mouth Prayer’, then ‘Burn My Coffin’, ‘Infernal Eternal’, ‘Seven Angels Seven Trumpets’, ‘The Levelling Dust’, ‘Throne Of Rats’, ‘Untrodden Paths’, ‘Azrael’ and ‘Fistfucking God's Planet’ at the end. Quite a good sound but a bit lengthy breaks between the tracks, which decreased the emotions and atmosphere always being part of the Swedes’ gigs. Really good general impression – they were in good form, they gave a devilish performance and the audience went wild with the enthusiasm.

Time was inevitably going by; every minute was marked with even greater tension. While my thoughts were with MORBID ANGEL, another guest appeared on stage on the dot – KATAKLYSM. Although I’m not a big fan of the Canadians’ music and I’m not an expert on it, I must definitely pay respect to what they showed in Stodola. Kataklysm live kicks fucking assess!!! Vigorously played ‘Shadows And Dust’, ‘Prevail’, ‘Crippled & Broken’ without needless tweedling and any more ado, great stage behaviour, charismatic and exuberant leader – all this made their gig pass in a flash. It was a great starter to what was to come in a moment….

10.30 p.m.. Since a few minutes almost 2000 throats screaming could be heard, cramp and crush, stench of sweat, MORBID ANGEL, MORBID ANGEL!!! Euphoric spasms, finally they come on stage!!! And the first shot – ‘Rapture’ and all the people razed to the ground!!! Last time I saw Morbid Angel live was in 1994. Morbid without Vincent wasn’t the same. How important the personality and charisma are on stage, you could perfectly see for yourself at this concert. Excellent contact with the public and a great Vincent’s emceeing created a tremendous atmosphere. ‘Maze of Torment’ or ‘Pain Divine’ proudly sang by the audience confirmed a real power of MORBID ANGEL.

‘Nevermore’ – a new stuff promising a comeback to their best times. It was visible that the Americans got infected by the atmosphere and the audience’s euphoria – Trey’s excesses during ‘Chapel of Ghouls’ and Pete’s ones when playing an ingenious ‘World of Shit’ closing the gig were out of this world. You could only ask yourself a rhetorical question – are they humans? ;-) The setlist was a fucking listeners’ choice!!! When Vincent was singing with the audience accompanying: BOW TO ME FAITHFULLY, there was no one having any doubts: THE GODS CAME BACK!!! ON YOUR KNEES!!! Morbid Angel is the greatest death metal band over the world. Then there’s the Marianas Trench and only then the whole rest!!! I’m sure most of them who saw and heard it would admit I’m right. Those who hadn’t – shame on you, it was too good to be missed!!!

To sum up, it was a perfect closure of a concert season. As for me, it was THE GIG OF THE YEAR!!! Leaving the venue I recalled the words of the greatest showman who was drawing millions of people to his “shows” and which was said during his last visit to Poland in Wadowice – “WHAT TO SAY? HARD TO LEAVE!!!”