24-02-2019 Heavy Psych Sounds Fest

Opening this evening was the local band Drive By Wire. Their music is Psychedellic Rock and sometimes with a bit of a grungy touch to it (think: Hole).

Admitting that when doing some research before the event this band made us wonder whether that would be something we needed to see, the song we heard via their social media accounts did not specifically spark us. But as we know, sometimes a band can win you over more by live performance than by what is recorded. Especially in the beginning of their set they amaze me with the energy that they put into it. Later on we get to that same song we already heard and then the thought it may be one of the earliest written ones perhaps.

At the end of their set they have convinced us, the band brought the energy into the day and seeing the filled bar, they found their way already.

Doom formation Dead Smoke are around since 2015. The Italians have the darkness over them, letting the music put that ‘dead smoke’ over you.

While they often take their time to get to the point, the trip there is giving one plenty to observe as well. The guys are putting a lot of stress on the details, the bass being there in strong balance with the guitar, neither one taking too much of the spotlight.

Performance-wise maybe they are not the most exciting act to observe. Not a lot going on and the way they put their lights up makes you wonder if they could not reached more by having it a bit more dynamic, like other acts this day. Mainly one you would go for the music, the show part is not all there yet.

The Swedish Kamchatka we have seen several times here and there and that the Swedes are popular is to notice today. The cafe is fully crowded when the band plays, the guys being very charismatic and open to their fans helps them a great deal and gives them that extra likeability. The bluesrock of the trio does not even need it, the music stands solid.

Previously to this show they were on the road for two weeks and this would be their final evening. Playing songs like “Made of Gold” or “Tv Blues” they are showing themselves at their most passionate which makes the whole come alive. They catch the atmosphere quite well. Not a surpise, we have seen them doing that before and it makes the Swedes a welcome guest to any event. You can’t really go wrong.

The Psychedelic Gïoba from Italy is one that draws attention. Rather different than any of the acts here you could mistake them for Goth, having that black bird to witness it. But then the music starts playing and it starts to make sense.

The link is the Space Rock, it is what gives this band their own face. Their soundscapes are long and hypnotic, but it is somewhat with a cold atmosphere and it seems to take a while before people can surrender to it and let them be guided through the set. It is when the lady of the band take the microphone and leaves her keyboard for a while when the dynamic changes. Here they are making a bond, the static parts of their show are their trap. Luckily the set is smartly built and gives just enough change for people to stay on board. A nice surprise we would say.

The Sonic Dawn brought the 60’s back alive in the café. They are homebased in Copenhagen, Denmark and released their debut album in 2015. The guys seemed eager to play here tonight and many gathered to see them.

Musically there is not much wrong with them, the guitars are maybe most remarkable, often giving that refinement to a song when you did not expect it. Personally we could not really connect with it though, there was something missing and that, to us that seems to be a certain unique factor that paints their picture. It does not feel like I am seeing something that represents them, rather something that we see around a lot and does not stand out over others.

A pity, but luckily for the bands there were enough people who thought different.

The Dutch Komatsu already toured quite a bit and also here in their own homecountry they have gathered a solid following. And the show of tonight justifies all that. The band is combining Stoner and Sludge and gives it a somewhat vehement Metal touch. With their third full length album out only a couple of months before they have plenty of material they will showcase.

With “This Ship Has Sailed” they start the night and here and there bringing in some older material the guys have not much trouble in convincing the audience. The way the guys build up their songs is often interesting, not taking too long to come to a highlight, but not giving all away too easily, the tensions are bringing one in extacy. Lovely act to watch, surely a highlight this evening.

Headlining the evening is the band Black Rainbows. Their debut saw light in 2007 but most recently the guys released an album about a year ago. As their performance is a bit minimum compared to other acts you need to get your joy from their music mainly. The band lives into it themselves as it seems but for the audience it takes a bit longer to get onboard. After a couple songs they succeed in that however they keep it quite to themselves.
Musically they have a steady set, the songs are all direct, not giving it more than needed, a modesty that suits the guys even though sometimes you hoped for a bit more cheek in it. That it divides the audience is clear, after the heavy Komatsu, you see some people leaving. Not everyone will endure that modesty of the Italians.