The Spirit
Pumpehuset, Copenhagen - 2018
Text: Tobias Nilsson Photo: Lunah Lauridsen
Nuclear Blast had resurrected their classic Death...Is Just The Beginning concept with a European tour, and except for the twin headlining acts Hypocrisy and Kataklysm, they had sent a newer signing along to open the night.
The newcomer was The Spirit, a German black metal band formed as recently as 2015, I’m informed. They released their full-length debut in 2017, Sounds From The Vortex, and it was of course from this album that the night’s setlist was taken. Not that they had much time to play in, but that might have worked in their favour.
That we were dealing with a new band was easy enough to see. I’m not going to comment on the actual technique, I’m not experienced enough to make useful remarks in that area, but it seemed to me that they were tight enough to deliver the sound that they were going for. Which was a classic black metal sound, quite inspired by early Dissection, to give you an idea.
What I will mention though, is the stage performance, of which there really wasn’t much to talk about. But let’s do it anyway, because that’s why we’re here.
The show opened up with the sound of raging storms coming out of the speakers, while the musicians got into position on the stage. This position was with their backs turned to the audience, standing there in dim, blue light. The intro shifted directly into the first song, Cosmic Fear, and yet the band held its position. It did so for quite a long time actually, and while I guess they were going for mysterious and possibly ominous, it just ended up being a bit dull actually.
I hesitate to call The Spirit bad, it’s not exactly the right term, but they did seem very inexperienced playing a semi-large stage for a sold out hall of a four digit audience.
When they did turn, it was only to stay standing at pretty much the same spot, with the occasional lazy headbang thrown in once in a while for good measure. And that was it.
There’s really not much more to say about the show. It was short, nothing much happened, they got a few cheers and applause along the way, and then they were done. End of story.
My suggestion, a bit of audience interaction goes a long way. And when you’re this fresh on the scene, always actually but especially now, introduce your songs - after all, you want the audience to have a passing chance of remembering your music when you leave, don’t you?
The newcomer was The Spirit, a German black metal band formed as recently as 2015, I’m informed. They released their full-length debut in 2017, Sounds From The Vortex, and it was of course from this album that the night’s setlist was taken. Not that they had much time to play in, but that might have worked in their favour.
That we were dealing with a new band was easy enough to see. I’m not going to comment on the actual technique, I’m not experienced enough to make useful remarks in that area, but it seemed to me that they were tight enough to deliver the sound that they were going for. Which was a classic black metal sound, quite inspired by early Dissection, to give you an idea.
What I will mention though, is the stage performance, of which there really wasn’t much to talk about. But let’s do it anyway, because that’s why we’re here.
The show opened up with the sound of raging storms coming out of the speakers, while the musicians got into position on the stage. This position was with their backs turned to the audience, standing there in dim, blue light. The intro shifted directly into the first song, Cosmic Fear, and yet the band held its position. It did so for quite a long time actually, and while I guess they were going for mysterious and possibly ominous, it just ended up being a bit dull actually.
I hesitate to call The Spirit bad, it’s not exactly the right term, but they did seem very inexperienced playing a semi-large stage for a sold out hall of a four digit audience.
When they did turn, it was only to stay standing at pretty much the same spot, with the occasional lazy headbang thrown in once in a while for good measure. And that was it.
There’s really not much more to say about the show. It was short, nothing much happened, they got a few cheers and applause along the way, and then they were done. End of story.
My suggestion, a bit of audience interaction goes a long way. And when you’re this fresh on the scene, always actually but especially now, introduce your songs - after all, you want the audience to have a passing chance of remembering your music when you leave, don’t you?
The Spirit
