26-01-2008 Deathstars

Supports: Next Waste Dimension, Deadcell; Venue: De Kelder, Amersfoort (Netherlands)
By: Petra Ghuijs

  Next Waste Dimension was first up. I had done my homework before the gig, and
  was expecting a video show in the background, since they express their pride
  over this element of their shows on their website. To my surprise, however,
  no video. In my opinion a technical difficulty, since their very own VJ Jeroen
  wás present on stage.
  Back to the gig. NWD combine heavy guitar work with modern-day dance music,
  which, I have to admit, is not something most bands dare to do. The audience
  didn’t really seem to warm up to them, though I don’t think this was
  the bands’ fault entirely. They did seem a bit awkward on stage, not moving
  an inch, possibly due to the fact that, as I said, they are used to being accompanied
  by a video show. Other than that, both lighting and sound were badly mixed in
  this venue, and I got the feeling this was holding the band back.

  Next up was the main act, Deathstars. The audience was very receptive towards
  the band. Sadly, the lighting was bad, and there was plenty of room for improvement
  with the sound. After a few songs Whiplasher Bernadottes cordless microphone
  actually seemed to break down and had to be replaced with a regular mic.
  The band seemed to be holding back quite a bit performance-wise, which might
  be a result of a change in line-up. The band’s own drummer Bone W Machine
  was unable to join the band on this particular tour, and was therefore replaced
  by Adrian Erlandsson (Cradle of Filth, At the Gates, The Haunted, Nemhain) for
  the second part of this tour. This show was Adrians’ second gig with the
  band, and at times this was painfully obvious.
  The show was a real crowd-pleaser though. There was plenty of interaction with
  the audience and as usual Whiplasher Bernadotte linked the songs with his eccentric
  talks.
  After leaving the stage the crowd demanded an encore, and the band obliged with
  two more songs. When they left the stage again, I felt like I had just seen
  a concert that was very good, but could have been great. A shame, and I could
  only hope their next concert would be.

  After this Deadcell came onstage. Again, after doing my homework I was expecting
  a radiant live show, accompanied by a video show, though I must say at this
  point I feared for the video part. And again, the band failed to live up to
  the expectations their website gave rise to. The performance was very active,
  and singer/guitarist Marcus Bodine is accompanied by several able dancers, but
  the show lacked in positive interaction with the audience. This could be due
  to the late hour, the band didn’t get on stage until after midnight. Also,
  a large portion of the audience had already left. The remaining audience seemed
  to be enjoying themselves, though. When Deadcell left the stage the party was
  far from over, but it was time for me to leave to catch the last train home,
  and I wish I had been more sorry about this.