In trance with Wolves

I could barely remember when I went to a metal gig for the last time. That was bad! The last time I went to a metal gig, the same band played: Wolves In The Throne Room. It was way back in May, and they played in Utrecht. This time the American post-eco-black metal-whatever you want to call it-formation played in Nijmegen, Doornroosje venue. I like Doornroosje a lot, it has atmosphere and charm.

We arrived just in time for the band. There was a crowd, but we could easily stand up front and still had plenty of space. Like I expected from the Wolves, they ignored the crowd mostly. They came on stage and took their time to lit candles and burn incense. That reminds me a little of the Agalloch shows. Wolves use even more incense. I like it, it smells like a forest. I turned to one of my friends to express my wish for their female singer to once attend their live shows. Alas, she is never present, but I would so love to hear a song like A Looming Resonance live.

They opened with one of my favorites: Ahrimanic Trance:

At once I was swept away by the aggression and violence with which they played. I was standing straight in front of the singer, and could clearly see how he pulled himself into the music. I was experimenting myself by NOT putting in earplugs. Well, we were standing next to the speakers and I can tell you: it was loud….When the band was halfway through their second song I was feeling dizzy and kind of queasy so I decided to put in my earplugs. That felt a lot better, but diminished the immersing experience a little.