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Approximately 150 fans of barbaric black metal turned out in the venue. Unfortunately, Varathron, the legends of Hellenic black metal could not support the band from Finland (it's a pity that due to bad timing they weren't able to play, because the long-awaited "Stygian Forces of Scorn" is a powerful work full of devilish riffs). Nevertheless, Archgoat were surrounded by four promising bands. Finally, congratulations to the guys from the record shop Bowel of Noise, since they succeeded to bring a band with a long history, indeed. For convenience, I refer to each band separately.
Cross Denied: The first band always faces the indolence of the audience; nevertheless Cross Denied performed five long compositions of theirs without any anxiety. The two guitarists and the singer probably know "De Mysteriis…" by heart, while the band's music could often be characterized by moving riffs in the style of Enshadowed, Judas Iscariot, Seigneur Voland etc. The drummer was a perfectionist and could easily play blast-beats as fast as the ones of Marduk. Their sound was warm and in general I cannot remember any problem relative to this parameter. Congratulations, guys! My only objection is to hide better your influences from several bands which all of us we admire; for instance, a riff brought to my mind instantly Ved Buens Ende. Of course, I don't disagree with the choice, but I think that similar ideas should be embodied better in your work.
Angstridden: The second band had cool looks and they brought to my mind musically DHG, Mayhem, Thorns, Satyricon, Cadaver INC etc. The vocals were imaginative with some grind loans. Their amazing cover on "Circle of the Tyrants" stole the show. Yet, to be honest, I wanted them to be more inspired. I believe that the mid-tempo parts with the chords full of disharmonic intervals were, in fact, too many. Parts for headbanging without mercy in the vein of "Stellar Master Elite" were missing.
Slaughterpriest: The style of this band was unholy black/thrash. Their cheerfulness was clear, but I believe that they have to rehearse much more. Mutatis mutandis, their covers on "Mirage" and "Into the Crypt of Rays" were a fine epilogue.
Merciless Crucifixion: The band which won the battle of t-shirts, if we exclude the headliners, appeared firm and good-tempered. They lifted the burden of the last support group without any difficulty. The influences from the giants Blasfemy and Sarcofago were transformed into two dashing covers. It was really nice to see members of the local scene to bang their head listening to tracks which they have been imbued with. The time for Archgoat had come.
Archgoat: Three musicians who start their set-list by spitting blood against their fans (no comments!), I think that they show clearly their intentions! Blackened death metal with the finest mid-tempo parts of the whole scene (listen to the track "Lord of the Void") is what Archgoat offered that night. When they were deciding to increase the beats per meter, extremity, brutality and atrocity accompanied with the most monolithic blast-beats you've ever heard, were instrumental in their music. Add finally a tribute for the mighty Sarcofago and you have an idea about their show, whose length was fifty minutes.
So after all these barbaric black/death metal references, will you give a chance, at last, to Beherit, Blasfemy, Sarcofago and Revenge? Or will you be insisting on the leadership of the hellish rock'n'roll freaks?
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