Metal, Hardcore, Indie, Rock
The night in Stockholm is so cold the gates to hell would freeze shut. So thank the dark lords there are four acts (Lorna Shore, Whitechapel, Shadow of Intent and Humanity’s Last Breath) that can kick them open and let us descend into a night of raging deathcore darkness.
Though the arena, Hovet, is still filling up, Sweden’s own Humanity’s Last Breath give it their all, bringing brutal energy. Soon the first vortex of human bodies gathers momentum in the crowd. The night has begun. Moreover, singer Filip Danielsson controls his audience like a hooded puppet master, making them follow him into the band’s immersive soundscapes.
Shadow of Intent live in a forceful duality: an often dark stage illuminated only by a haunting, eerie piano. Then comes the explosion into a furious metal force. The dynamic use of dual vocals perfectly mirrors a light show almost minimalistic in its contrasting blood-red and cold white lights. Consequently, this pounds the audience into submission.
And then Whitechapel bring the hammer down. Something shifts in the air as the night’s heaviest hour explodes on stage. There is no doubt that Whitechapel have their own fan base ready to prove their loyalty. When singer Phil Bozeman screams, “And now some old shit!” the crowd roars as one. Then the mayhem turns to fury.
Ominous sounds fill the arena. A huge, logo-clad banner covers the entire stage — then it falls, revealing Lorna Shore. This is why the crowd is here. Lorna Shore know it — and they deliver. The night turns into a masterclass in deathcore. Front man Will Ramos leads the band in weaving a dark, symphonic tapestry of beautiful imagery and raw energy. Lorna Shore truly shine in moments like the transition from “Glenwood” — as powerful as it is sublime — to the hard-hitting “Prison of Flesh.” This is a trademark tour de force encapsulating the essence of their brand of deathcore. Finally, ending the show behind a wall of flames, Lorna Shore take us “To the Hellfire.” So when leaving Hovet tonight, the Stockholm night is still as dark — but it doesn’t seem quite as cold anymore.
Text: Odd Glodeck
Humanity’s Last Breath
Shadow of Intent
Whitechapel
Lorna Shore
