Supports: Malicious Dream, Marche Funèbre; Venue: Little Devil, Tilburg (The Netherlands)
By: Sabine van Gameren
It is a sunny day when I make my way to Tilburg, knowing that I would see quite some doom-ish music today. Great to enjoy, but not exactly bringing people in the mood for that sort of music. As the venue, Little Devil, is a small cosy one the atmosphere inside is well enough.
 In total three bands would play and the Dutch band Malicious Dream was starting. The band has a certain aggression in their music that is interesting to observe. Though, it felt a bit like they were holding back in showing it. Especially on the vocal side it looked like the band kept it down a bit. To get to the point Malicious Dream brings some Moonspell/My Dying Bride marriage. Count in some riffs in vein of Opeth and you have your musical image built. Only thing that did bother me a bit was the fact that it was all a bit in one line. The songs they played could have been played as one long song, where I hoped for a bit variation. |
 The Belgian band Marche Funèbre was second. The band is founded in 2008, so not really a formation that have been playing a lot. I liked them less than Malicious Dream. This mostly because the band did not really show to be a group. Maybe even more as a collection of solo artists. I was not the only one as some people left them to get some beer and chat with friends.The bands showed quite stiff on the stage and therefore not too entertaining to watch either. As the band announced a song named “On The Wings of Azrael” their vocalist put such a face on that I had to think of Gargamel of the Smurfs. Isn’t one anti-smurf band enough? Their vocalist desperately tried to put some drama in with his mimics, but could not really convince me at all. I had some higher expectations when I have read about the band on forehand and therefore I felt slightly disappointed. |
| Headlining was the Australian band The Eternal. Recently they released their album Kartika and now they are on a world tour. After hitting Japan, Portugal , Spain and Belgium the band is now in The Netherlands. The band starts strong with some songs of their latest album, where some unique riffs demand your attention. For those who have heard Kartika, will be curious how some of the vocals will turn out live. Especially for some of the notes I was wondering how they would be performed as it might be a bit risky. The solution was there by singing those different to make it all sound perfectly right. The band is the most melodic one of the evening where keys (not played live as their keyboardist Chris Stevenson left the band) have their place in the music. It gives the band this gothic touch and together with the drama that can be heard, felt and seen during the complete set. People who left during Marche Funèbre walked back in and watched some of The Eternal. Some of the older songs were played as well which were a bit harsher than the ones from “Kartika” Overall a nice show, a nice evening with a band you should see when you have the opportunity. |
More pictures of this gig available at sabinevangameren.com
Links:
The Eternal MySpace
The Eternal Official
Marche Funèbre MySpace
Malicious Dream MySpace
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