Katatonia + Solstafir + SOM

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SOM

This time, I'm more than punctual on Rose Monday for the less jolly carnival event in Esch-sur-Alzette. First up are SOM from the USA, a relatively new band that has only been around since about 2020.

 

Their five members, however, are drawn from well-known groups like Constants, Junius and Caspian, and they previously toured with Slow Crush. Those in the know suspect there could be a lot of shoegazing, especially as SOM would fit in very well at the Gloomaar Festival.

 

Drummer Duncan Rich practices dignified rhythms, while the guitars howl in a nicely distorted way and there is a lot of reverb on singer Will Benoit's microphone. That's how I like it - really dreamy. The guys sound quite American and a pinch of Deftones and Type O Negative is also spiced in. Fans with Alcest T-shirts especially like that.

 

Solstafir

Have you polished up your Icelandic yet? Because this is followed by Sólstafir from the island in the Atlantic, who always sound a bit bravura and too folklore-like from the recording medium. So just use the physical recordings and internet streaming services as a guide.

 

The four giants are Hallgrímur Hallgrímsson on drums, Svavar Austmann on bass, Sæþór Maríus Sæþórsson on guitar and singer Aðalbjörn Tryggvason, who also plays guitar. They have been on this stage once before, a few years ago, and gained an excellent reputation in the meantime.

 

The guys managed to create their very own style out of the original Pagan Metal. The Icelandic language, the simple melodies and a lot of atmosphere. Somehow it fits, although Aðalbjörn can't even sing correctly, but the expression makes up for it.

 

The audience, which now seems to include druids, is quickly taken in by the group. I like that the sound doesn't appear soft, but proper rough shredding and sounds fully metal. That's how it has to be!

 

 

 

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Katatonia

After Sólstafir, the main act already has a harder time following up on the marvellous performance. As is well known, Katatonia needs a few songs to get out of the catatonia. New titles from the album Sky void of stars were played to warm up.

 

After that I notice that Niklas Sandin (bass) and Roger Öjersson (guitar) seem to interact much better with the old buddies Jonas and Anders. The "new ones" have been in the band for a few years now and it shows live.

 

Jonas also sounds much younger than he is, on vinyl and on stage. He is never older than thirty, is he? In any case, it's clear which songs are particularly popular: "Evidence", "My twin" and "Consternation" are just catchy tunes that especially the girls in the audience go for. Older stuff, earlier than from Viva Emptiness, is not in the repertoire this time, but as I said, some new stuff.

 

Even if the current album can easily keep up with older ones, the Swedes still play titles like "Austerity" on the tour as if in test mode. It takes some time for the audience to get used and listen to it. Remember, the stuff has only been out for a month.

 

 

Summary

Sólstafir were particularly convincing, but Katatonia also played at their usual proper level.

 

Support band SOM fits well into the ensemble of the three groups, but needs to settle in after the long time without gigs. I would be delighted to see them at the Gloomaar festival.

 

Sólstafir could truly convince live. Some singers are simply beasts and Aðalbjörn definitely belongs in that category. Besides, it's impressive to see three 1.90-metre-Trolls with such a presence.

 

The Stockholm band Katatonia are one of my favourite bands. I've also somehow liked for years that they come on stage ice cold and seem to have to play away their stage fright first. Meanwhile, Jonas Renkse has acquired entertainer qualities over the years. Moreover, it is always touching to see how the women in the audience melt away to this kind of music.

 

Info on the concert

Katatonia Tour 2023

Solstafir Tour 2023