This band brought along all members this time around to Vancouver, was there any difference?
As another wet and gloomy winter descends upon Vancouver, it’s a perfect time to attend a black metal show. Tonight, at the Rickshaw theatre we are treated to just that with Zetra, Gaerea and headliner Zeal & Ardor.
Zeal & Ardor were last around in 2022, it was a great show BUT it was a very odd one. I say this because both backup singers Denis Wagner and Marc Obrist were missing in action as they were sick. So instead of getting backing tracks of them instead, wee get the full band tonight with Lukas Kurmann (bass), Tiziano Volante (guitar), Marco Von Allmen (drums) and founding member who is the lead singer and guitarist Manual Gagneaux.
They just released a new album in 2024 called Grief which is the 4th album in the bands discography that started producing albums and one EP since 2016’s Devil is Fine . The cornerstone of their vocals comes with a African-American spirit combined with, of all things, Black Metal. It works quite well, and is considered Avant-garde metal by most.
They start the sold out show at roughly 9pm with “The Bird, the Lion and the Wildkin”, which is the first song off of Grief. All band members were in black cloaks for this one. Thereafter, its a song from the Wake of a Nation EP with “Wake of a Nation”. That song is really epitomizes what this band is about, and what we are in for the rest of the evening.
“Gotterdamnnerung” at song 3 is very black metal and this gets the headbanging at the front the stage. Manual’s voice is in fine form, alternating between clean and screamo black metal vocals. As far the ambiance, typical black metal with fog and minimal lighting. The sound was good, as always at the Rickshaw Theatre, which is the premiere metal facility for Vancouver, if not the pacific northwest.
Fast forward to song 8 we get “Blood in the River”. Fantastic, and having both backup singers this time really makes a difference as both Denis and Marc are singing just like the album version along with headbanging in unison with the fans.
Song 11 with “Golden Liar”, this is one of those gems off the last Zeal & Ardor album. Really pushes Manual’s vocal abilities. Had to laugh as someone mentioned he looks and sings like “Lenny Kravitz”, not sure about that but it was amusing.
However, “Sugarcoat” off the Grief album, was at song 12 and maybe this one Lenny Kravitz would take on, a little too poppy for my tastes. Thankfully, they massively change direction on song 13 with “Death to the Holy”, and that familiar ping sound that rings through the Rickshaw.
As for how it all plays out on stage, all 5 of them are in a line at front, with exception of drummer Marco. This band is very vocal centred like song 16 with “Devil is Fine” , so you don’t get any guitar shredding or sweep picking with these guys. But believe me, it all comes together very heavy like with “Trust No One”, “I Caught You” and show ender with “Clawing out”.
They didn’t waste a lot of time in-between songs with audience chit chat. He did talk a few times, but with 20 songs in the set, they really had to move through it. It was a night and day difference seeing them perform as a full band, its never the same with taped vocals as we all know. The band puts on a exceptional performance and I am excited about the future of these guys. If you recall the last time I wrote about them, they “wont be a secret for long” as this show was sold out on a Tuesday. I think they need a really big band to take them on a big tour and give them some exposure. I will do my part and say, go see this band! If you are tiring of the usual black metal and want something a little different, check them out!
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