08-06-2012 Doomwards Let Us Row

Venue: Baroeg, Rotterdam (Netherlands)
By: Sabine van Gameren

Three Doom bands were scheduled for this evening. Baroeg, Rotterdam (Netherlands) sure knows where to get them, the venue is also hosting the Dutch Doom Days event that takes place later this year.

German formation Ophis was first to play. The band has been around for over a decade but released only two albums so far. Nevertheless the band shows they have plenty of material to fill an interesting set with this evening. The band has a melodic approach, watching them go on instrumentally is already a pleasure but the when the vocals come in the pictures appears to be quite complete. The dramatic atmosphere, changes slowly into different directions throughout the set and having a good drummer with them that makes his presence aware, the band does not step away from the Death in such a way that it becomes overdone. A well done show by these guys.

Ahab brings a total different atmosphere. Funeral doom is what they play and it has that icy cold edge onto it. Did you see any light peeking through before, forget about that now cause Ahab blocks that from you immediately. The band sets down a solid set, but the band takes their time for the tension building. The last parts of the show were truly the highlight and stood out highly above the rest. They did not manage to keep everyone’s attention until that moment arrives, which is a shame, cause they showed some interesting parts in there. The two guitars work together very well in creating that special Ahab sound, which unfortunately some may have missed the highlights of.

The British Doom band Esoteric founded in 1992, throughout the years the band has released quite some albums. “Paragon of Dissonance” as its latest release. Tonight on the Baroeg stage the band has an interesting stage set up. Their vocalist does not use a microphone stand which immediately makes the show more dynamic. This is quite a plus as the stage is filled with their equipment, so a little more mobility surely pays off. The band’s bassist has his own party on the stage, being more invisible in some way. Overall it is vocalist Greg Chandler which takes up most attention. His vocals are giving the sound that little extra that makes it special. They make music that you need to listen for a while before you get into it, but the band comes to the point a little faster than that Ahab did, and when they got the audience on their hands the show really becomes intimate. A splendid show for these British guys.