© Dhruv Kumar
All live Photos by Dhruv Kumar
European metal makes its way to the United States! Making its second to last stop at Webster Hall in New York City. Heading the night Epica, hailing from the Netherlands, joined by Italian horror metallers Fleshgod Apocalypse. Also added to the roster was Slavic metal Russians – Arkona with the opening act The Agonist from Montreal, Quebec.
The Agonist kicked off the show opening with “My Witness, Your Victim” getting the crowd revved up. Fans of the Agonist camped out early at the venue to get a front row view of the performance. They weren’t disappointed as The Agonist’s set was short and sweet set. The band took some time to acknowledge the fans that were there early to catch their set. Overall the best performance I have seen so far.
1. My Witness, Your Victim
2. The Villain
3. The Hunt
4. The Moment
5. Panophobia
6. Thank You Pain
7. Gates of Horn and Ivory
Next up is Arkona! I had never heard of this band until the played this show. The band impressed the hell out of me singing completely in Russian. What was even more amazing was that the fans were singing along with the band. Their entire set was melodic and folkish which was a good addition to the show. What made it more exciting was one of the band members had a bag pipe and a flute which added a strange mystic feel to the overall performance. I will definitely be checking them out in the future if they ever come back to the US.
1. Kolo Navi
2. Na Strazhe Novikh Let
3. Zakliatie
4. Goi, Rode, Goi!
5. Vozrozhdeniye
6. Stenka na Stenku
7. Yarilo
Next up Fleshgod Apocalypse! Making their second appearance in New York City this year they did not disappoint. We all know and love the performance that we have come to expect, but this performance was a bit different. It was more intense than the Gramercy Theater show because the venue had a noticeable upgrade in their sound system and lights. Thus making it a very powerful set. If you have seen their performances on the European circuit, these guys always bring a very intense sound, mixed with their melancholy symphonies, this time was no different. A quick 10 track setlist, brings such apocalyptic rhythms via “In Aeternum”, “The Violation” and “The Fool”. The Italians know their strong points and play very well to them. Very good set.
1. Marche Royale
2. In Aeternum
3. Healing Through War
4. Pathfinder
5. Cold as Perfection
6. The Violation
7. Prologue
8. Epilogue
9. The Fool
10. The Forsaking
Finally Epica! The Dutch Symphonic Metal band making it’s final rounds in support of their new album The Holographic Principle, for the crazy New York City fans. They kicked off the show with a new track “Edge of The Blade” and “A Phantasmic Parade”. Similar strong tracks off what has ended up being one of their strongest records since “The Divine Conspiracy”. Another crowd pleaser “Requiem For The Indifferent” comes in with it’s intricate riffing and lyrical template, bodes well in this live environment.
The ever stunning front lady Simone Simons performance was better than at Irving Plaza’s the last time the band was in town, in 2015 with the help of the new sound system at Webster Hall. Her voice makes the walls in the venue rumble and fans of the band were proverbially shaking the floor with their moshing. The band definitely had good interactions with the fans towards the end of their set, coming off the stage and taking selfies with the fans in the front row. Truly a memorable night for fans of all genre of metal. This tour didn’t disappoint. “Beyond the Matrix” towards the end of set, continues the strong musical structure that you tend to expect from every Epica song.
1. Edge of the Blade
2. A Phantasmic Parade
3. Sensorium
4. Universal Death Squad
5. Divide and Conquer
6. Storm the Sorrow
7. The Essence of Silence
8. The Obsessive Devotion
9. Ascension – Dream State Armageddon
10. Dancing in a Hurricane
11. Unchain Utopia
12. Once Upon a Nightmare
13. Encore:
14. Sancta Terra
15. Beyond the Matrix
16. Consign to Oblivion
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