We set our wayward eyes on Dark Tranquillity – report of the show in Memmingen 02.05

It’s always a fascinating event to witness worlds collide, and this was one of the main reasons why the Chaoszine team travelled from Italy to Germany once again. We couldn’t miss the opportunity of having in front of our eyes three of the finest band that the heavy metal scene offers, so here’s what happened yesterday at the Kaminwerk, in Memmingen. The report is by Deborah Disarò; a huge thank you to Birgit for hosting us!

To start a report with a painful sentence is not the best, but I’m afraid that due to prior commitments, I lost Hiraes‘s performance. That is too bad, because friends have praised their live shows, so I’m marking on my calendar that I need to see them as soon as possible to rectify this! We arrived, though, just in time to witness the second band of the evening.

Moonspell

I would say that I was more than excited to finally see Moonspell in front of my eyes, having such a history in the gothic metal scene, so at 19:45, I was ready to soak in this fantastic experience. And the Portuguese group did not disappoint. Their gothic metal is refined, classic and yet so fresh and modern. I really enjoyed the alternating between clean and harsh vocals, which made the tracks sound even deeper. The keyboards and the symphonic elements were a bit too hidden in the mixing, though, and it was a bit difficult to appreciate them properly. One of the most delightful surprises of their set was Pedro Paixão, who is usually on keyboards, playing two songs on electric guitar. What a talented and dedicated artist! But the best moment was during “Full Moon Madness“, the closing track of the evening. Fernando Ribeiro, lead vocalist, got off stage and I was wondering what was going on: after a few seconds he returned with two drumsticks in his hands, playing opposite of drummer Hugo Ribeiro. It was so funny and I laughed so hard, it was the icing on the cake!

Photo: Benedetta Baldin.

Dark Tranquillity

Sometimes, all it takes to make an impression is a moment in time. And yesterday, there was an electrifying connection between the headliners, Dark Tranquillity and the crowd that was genuinely uncommon. I was initially startled by the band’s joyful attitude. The Swedish group performed with smiles on their faces and an infectious energy, an interesting contrast to their melodic death metal material. Often, lead vocalist Mikael in particular spoke with the audience, sharing stories or anecdotes and expressing his sincere gratitude for the enthusiastic response from the packed venue. The band’s arrangements were mostly well-balanced by the sound production, with the rhythm section holding the reins with great grandeur and the guitar work being especially clear. Sadly, considering the depth of atmosphere these components bring to Dark Tranquillity‘s studio recordings, I’m afraid that the keyboard did not fare well in the mix. This small detail didn’t temper the band or the show at all. With several instances of lighthearted banter between members that showed a brotherhood beyond the stage, the band’s chemistry was evident. “Misery’s Crown” closed the performance and the evening, and with a heart full of magic, metal and marvel, I left the venue. Dark Tranquillity are addictive, and I sincerely hope to see them again very soon!

Photo: Benedetta Baldin.