Subterranean Masquerade / Votum / Chaos Divine

The Garage, London on Mon 26th Sep 2016

The UK is frequently abandoned when it comes to progressive metal tours that do not involve the most successful names in the subgenre - usually due to the absence of a study fanbase - so when the triple-headlining line up of Subterranean Masquerade, Votum and Chaos Divine arrived, it was a surprise to die-hard prog adherents residing in London.

First up is Australia's Chaos Divine, progressive metallers formed in 2005 with three albums to their name. 'One Door' commences the set with aerial guitar melodies and noodling. This quintet's prog manifestation concerns itself with the emotive side of the genre rather than the technical prowess often espoused. Their compositions also incorporate melodic death metal stimulus but when the double bass drumming is unleashed tonight, it completely drowns the guitar. The turnout may be small but the band still puts on an enthusiastic performance with vocalist Dave Anderton employing humorous stage banter. A well-tweaked cover of Toto's classic 'Africa' (complete with a David Attenborough narration sample) animates the crowd further and by this point, it is accurate to say they have been won over by these fresh-faced Aussies. With the likes of 'Invert Evolution', 'Landmines' and closer 'Mara', the setlist predominantly comes from last two albums 'Colliding Skies' and 'The Human Connection' but given the rapport these openers has forged with the punters at this debut show, it feels like they could have performed anything from their discography and left the audience applauding loudly.

Next up is Votum, last seen on these shores in support of fellow prog countrymen Riverside in 2014. Like Chaos Divine, their take on prog metal is melodic and emotionally-dictated with heavy modern guitar riffs to arm their sound. Bedecked in hooded tops, the line up appears striking and mysterious on stage and secures the attention of the attendees very quickly. This year saw the Poles release their third album ':Ktonik:', which donates all but two songs to tonight's concert. The music captures the melancholy and isolation of later Katatonia and Porcupine Tree but wearing a higher concentration of metal riffs. 'Horizontal', 'Prometheus' and 'Simulacra' are fantastic odes to the sinister and isolating. Older tracks 'Cobwebs' and 'Coda' from 2013's 'Harvest Moon' make an appearance and round the set out agreeably. While they do not share the same dynamism as the previous band, Votum remain captivating to watch and whet the appetite for the last act of the night.

Finally, mostly-Israeli Subterranean Masquerade take the stage, opening their set with 'Early Morning Mantra' from last year's 'The Great Bazaar. This is the second full-length effort of the band, notably more upbeat and focused than the wonderfully curious 'Suspended Animation Dreams' debut. The consistency of their sophomore effort resulted in musical maturity that is more accessible than their ambitious first album, solidifying overwhelmingly positive reviews all round. The music is multi-faceted with a range of tones, delving between the heavy and the intricate on a Middle Eastern folk soundscape. Fronted by the soothing vocals of Kjetil Nordhus of Green Carnation and Tristania and the death metal growls of Eliran Weizman, who does a fine job of substituting former growler Paul Kuhr, the band exhibits a bounty of energy on stage – particularly guitarist and main composer Tomer Pink. All of the songs except two are borrowed from last year's effort, namely 'Reliving the Feeling', 'Tour Diary', 'Blanket of Longing' and 'Specter' - the execution is not only technical but also playful. The audience is additionally treated to two new songs due for release in the upcoming months, very much in the vein of 'The Great Bazaar'. For the curtain-calling track, the audience are invited to sing along and Pink gets off the stage to dance around the spectators in a tireless display of energy. Subterranean Masquerade leave their fifth concert ever with smiles on their faces, as do the audience.

Although London is not the best city for progressive metal in Europe, it was bold for such a small intercontinental line up to not only play here but also to go ahead with the show in spite of the low turnout. Such a great display of musical talent from three great acts from three continents is an absolute treat - particularly on a Monday evening.

article by: Elena Francis

published: 04/10/2016 07:55



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