Kellermensch - The Lexington, Pentonville Road, London – Thursday 24th February 2011
Monday, 28 February 2011
Written by Ben Bland
The Nordic countries have always been major players in the murky world of underground metal. Thus it is no surprise that The Lexington’s monthly ‘Ja Ja Ja Music’ nights, celebrating the musical contributions of the Nordic region, often dip their toes into the metal depths. This particular night, curated by The Quietus, certainly has a heavy feel to it, headlined as it is by Danish art metal collective Kellermensch (whose debut album is utterly incredible).
Starting things off though is one of the leading lights in Norway’s ‘Necromantic’ scene at present, Deathcrush; assumedly named after the Mayhem song and album of the same name. More noise punk than metal, the 2/3 female trio make a deliciously unhinged racket, flailing at their instruments with the visceral energy of Japanese noiseniks Melt-Banana and no wave era Sonic Youth.
It’s hard to know exactly what they are singing about due to the slightly slurred vocals regularly being somewhat buried under the avalanche of fuzzy guitar and bass, although judging from clearly audible lines like “Your girlfriend’s really sweet and I like it hot”, sex may be on the lyrical agenda. A closing cover of The Bangles’ 'Eternal Flame' is a highlight of the evening with guitarist/vocalist Linn Nystadnes abandoning her six strings to invade the personal space of numerous audience members. Turning The Bangles into pure unreconstructed drum and bass noise is something that any band would deserve credit for and Deathcrush are no exception. Their half an hour on stage is an exhilarating and refreshing experience from a band that are clearly determined not to take themselves too seriously and are all the better for it.
It has come to my attention upon writing this review that Arabrot received an extremely poor review for their newest album 'Revenge' on Stereoboard.com. I can only assume that my learned colleague Adam Simpson hasn’t seen this Norwegian duo in the flesh and/or has a violent disliking of bands that like to play as brutally loud as they possibly can. With frantic drumming from Vidar Evensen leading the way in all their songs, this pair makes black metal acts like Behemoth sound like a kids’ party covers band. The main thing Mr. Simpson complained about with regard to this band is the Neanderthal screeching of vocalist/guitarist Kjetil Nemes but frankly when a band’s main concern is to make a racket that sounds like its come straight out of the depths of hell, why would you want anyone to sing properly? What are required are vocals that fit the unrelenting ear-bleeding dissonance that Arabrot produce and that is exactly what Nemes provides. Their songs, ranging in length, prompt the first swathes of headbanging throughout the venue tonight and seem to please a crowd of noise lovers here tonight. Arabrot provide a disturbing, dangerous rock show that is certainly not for the faint of heart, or perhaps for those with really good hearing (assuming they want to keep this particular faculty unimpaired).
As I mentioned earlier I think Kellermensch are bloody fantastic. I have done ever since last November when I first heard their debut self-titled work. Boasting a sound enriched by Hammond organs, violins and even a double bass and clearly influenced by the likes of Tom Waits and Neurosis, Kellermensch have arrived as an incredibly unique act. Smartly attired in suits and ties, the band start things off with a wonderful cover of Neil Young’s 'Don’t Let It Bring You Down' and drop by the wonderfully tender Narcissus' and rousing 'Army Ants' in an all too brief forty minute set.
Although it is unfair to single out any particular member of the band for praise, the star of their live show probably has to be frontman Sebastian Wolff. Wielding the mic stand like a weapon he intends to use to inflict serious bodily harm on a member of the audience, this is a man who has incredible onstage charisma considering that he rarely speaks a word in between songs. The final song, 'Moribund Town' concludes with Wolff leaping from atop the piano across amplifiers and into the dressing room. Sometimes you see a band that live up to the expectations you have from their studio work, even if their studio work is truly incredible. Kellermensch are such a band. Whether you know it yet or not, this band is the future of experimental rock/ metal. Let them into your life and let them gradually take over it.
Kellermensch setlist:
Don’t Let It Bring You Down
Rattle The Bones
The Day You Walked
Black Dress
Narcissus
Dead End
30 Silver Coins
Army Ants
Moribund Town
Arabrot’s excellent latest album, 'Revenge', is out now.
Kellermensch’s debut self-titled album is out in two forms. The one most commonly available lacks two tracks from the original version but includes all the tracks from 2010’s 'Narcissus' EP. However acquiring a combination of the original ten track version of the album and the EP (including bonus live recordings) separately is recommended, although you may have to wait for a live show by the band to do so.
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It’s hard to know exactly what they are singing about due to the slightly slurred vocals regularly being somewhat buried under the avalanche of fuzzy guitar and bass, although judging from clearly audible lines like “Your girlfriend’s really sweet and I like it hot”, sex may be on the lyrical agenda. A closing cover of The Bangles’ 'Eternal Flame' is a highlight of the evening with guitarist/vocalist Linn Nystadnes abandoning her six strings to invade the personal space of numerous audience members. Turning The Bangles into pure unreconstructed drum and bass noise is something that any band would deserve credit for and Deathcrush are no exception. Their half an hour on stage is an exhilarating and refreshing experience from a band that are clearly determined not to take themselves too seriously and are all the better for it.
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