Paris, Ihsahn and Shining

Well its been a odd couple of weeks in the world of music. I don't want to talk to much about what has happened in Paris but it goes without saying that it has hit the music industry hard. To have a terrorist attack happen in a place where people go to escape the world is just unimaginable. The night the attacks happened I was watching the live feed and as soon as I saw that it was the Bataclan venue my ears pricked up. That was such a popular venue, it was always popping up on the touring roster. Then of course we found out the enormity of what had gone on and I was left gobsmacked. There are no words for what has happened. I have since been to two gigs following the attacks and the talking point at both was the events in Paris both by the bands themselves but the fans. My heart goes out to all of those in Paris who were caught up in this tragic incident and of course their friends and families. However the people who carried out these attacks want us to worry, fear them and to take away our fun, so we have to stay strong and carry on going to gigs and support our touring music industry.

Ihsahn's band: Einar Solberg - Keys, Kenneth Kapstad - Drums, Not sure who but looks around my age - Guitar and Ihsahn - Guitar and Vocals

So with that in mind I went to go and see Ihsahn, the Norwegian Black Metal master at the Camden Underworld. I was so hyped for this show! The chance to see one of my favourite artists of all time play a rare headlining club show in London was something I could not pass up. With support from Voices, who were an interesting black metal band, and Krokodil who were a slower more chuggier version of Mastodon and the Master himself, Ihsahn it was certainly a gig to remember. There was just one issue... set times. The doors were at 6 and I had left the venue by 10:15 at the latest ... All bands played shorter than expect sets. The quality was fantastic but the quantity was lacking somewhat. Ihsahn opened up with a couple of songs from his latest (curveball) release Das Seelenbrechen before launching into Frozen Lakes On Mars and A Grave Inversed from After which were both monstrous. The Black Metal legend also dropped a new song My Heart Is Of The North from his upcoming album which will be released in February (expect an announcement imminently). 

As he finished with The Grave from Eremita there was a kind of dissatisfaction with the shortness of the set that a lot of people remained in their places baying for an encore - sadly it never came. Overall it was a phenomenal show and I am so glad I got to see such a legend of the black metal scene which I am so interested in. 

Jørgen Munkeby pointing the finger

Some friends at the Ihsahn got me feeling sorry for myself that I wasn't seeing Shining a few days later again at The Underworld. I took the plunge and bought a ticket. There were four bands on the bill; Jack Dalton - who were interesting - dont really know where to place them, Raketkanon - who were ... well ... um ... extremely bonkers (randomly running off stage, making out with other members of the band and a ton of effects. Yeah weird, but they held a crowd!), Caligula's Horse - Haken meets Karnivool and Guthrie Govan and finally Shining - Blackjazz titans from Norway. The bands that stood out were Caligula's Horse and Shining. I have only recently heard about CH and I really dig there stuff, they have had some flack for sounding too similar to other bands in the current progressive scene but I don't buy it - they put on a stunning performance and they were a refreshing band to watch. They dedicated their song Firelight to those caught up in the Paris attacks (they had played Paris the night before) and it was incredibly moving. Do check them out -  they have just released an new album Bloom. Shining were insane. Opening up with the iconic I Won't Forget is something that I literally won't forget! Unfortunately I was clock watching to make sure I didn't miss my train home but they are a band not to miss - if you get the chance go! They also played House Of Control from their new album International Blackjazz Society which is my favourite from the album and something I never thought they would play! Do check them out. 

Apart from those gigs I have been listening a lot to those bands. I have also checked out Ihsahn's wifes work as Starofash. Her electronic album Ghouleh is pretty damn good check it out if like electronic experimental music. So here are the things that caught my ear in my Notable mentions playlist! Until next time,

Cheers!

Silva Magna - Starofash: Interesting electronic/atmospheric work from Heidi Solberg Tveitan!

Can Utility And The Coastliners - Steve Hackett: Yes Steve Hackett from his Genesis Revisited album this one has Steven Wilson on vocals.

Chaos Reigns - Trivium: Ah *sigh* possibly the last decent Trivium song. Simple, heavy and Matt Heafy screaming like he used to ... I'd love to see the band bring out something like this again. 

Shatter - Krokodil: As I said in my review, seriously chuggy and tasty riffs!

House Of Control - Shining: I checked out the new Shining album and this song just leapt out at my it was not was I was expecting at all - Love it!