Cradle of Filth - Necromantic Fantasies @ MMC, Bratislava (Concert Review)
by Flork!
One of the perks of the Florkman’s job is the opportunity to get out every once in awhile and enjoy an evening of music and performance. And luckily for this music reviewer, I was blessed with a ticket to witness a night of infernal energy and otherworldly performances as the Cradle of Filth Necromantic Fantasies Tour 2024 descended upon the stage of the Majestic Music Club in Bratislava. Headlined by the iconic British band Cradle of Filth, the evening was a showcase of dark melodies, intense performances, and a celebration of the macabre. And what made the night even more enjoyable were the opening bands that were craftily selected by COF to accompany them on the tour of this part of Europe.
The night commenced with a relentless onslaught of industrial hardcore metal courtesy of L.A.-based band Drift. Adorned in futuristic attire that seemed plucked from the depths of a post-apocalyptic wasteland, Drift captivated the audience with their pulsating rhythms and haunting melodies. The tall and imposing figure of their lead singer, clad in a spray-painted visage and dark fighter jet helmet and sunglasses, commanded attention with his keyboard strapped to his left forearm while he delivered a captivating performance. In fact, all of the members wore black, Darth Vader-style masks and black leather clothing, as well as amazing hair, many with dreadlocks. Try to imagine a mix of Mad Max and the Tusken raiders or Sand people from Star Wars. It was as if they had been sent from either a faraway planet or even our own, only hundreds of years in the future (or maybe not that distant) as survivors of a global atomic blast. Tracks from their 2022 release New Blood Type, like Cannon Fire, Churn, and a mesmerizing cover of Gojira's Stranded set the tone for a night of musical mayhem.
Following Drift's electrifying set, Rome-based ensemble Sick 'N Beautiful took the stage, unleashing a torrent of intergalactic rock. This time, the colour scheme turned from black to green. With their eclectic blend of genres (post-metal, hard rock) and theatrical stage presence (a lot of green neon lights on their costumes and green hair), Sick 'N Beautiful transported the audience to realms unknown. Many of the songs from their setlist came from their 2022 release Starstruck. From the infectious energy of Tonight We Go To War to the haunting melodies of Deep End Dark, their performance was a cosmic journey through sound and spectacle. Herma's hauntingly beautiful vocals soared effortlessly through the air, weaving a spellbinding tapestry of sound that held the audience in thrall. Like Drift, I was also blown away by their performance and will definitely keep Sick ‘N Beautiful within my radar.
And despite the packed venue, the atmosphere was still somewhat cozy and comfy, as the crowd behaved remarkably amicably throughout the night. Despite the intense energy of the performances coursing through the air, not a single act of unruly behaviour was witnessed. As I looked down from my perch above the soundboard in the VIP seats above, I witnessed how the audience of various ages and walks of life allowed themselves to be fully immersed in the experience, being swept away by the music without succumbing to the temptations of excessive alcohol consumption. I almost wished that I had been given a ticket to the standing section, since the friendly energy and positive emotional charge on the floor was amazing and mutually shared between the audience and artists on stage.
Regarding age, I have to say that the old Florkster was hardly the oldest rocker in the room. At one point, I witnessed some old geezer walk into the show, looking more like he had been searching for the bathroom and had opened the wrong door, rather than going out for the night to a heavy metal show. He disappeared into the crowd and I’m sure he had an amazing time as we all did.
And as the night progressed, the room grew increasingly charged with anticipation as Wednesday 13, the enigmatic frontman of the now-defunct horror punk band Murderdolls stepped into the spotlight. I had never heard of him until then, nor did I know what to expect, but it is safe to say that Wednesday 13 gave COF a run for their money. He even asked the audience if they had heard of him, and I almost put up my hand just to not look like a nerd. I decided not to as a memory arose of trying to impress a date a long time ago in the past when the Florkmeister still had hair. I remember this chick telling me how she was into Andrea Bocelli and of course, I commented that I was into “her” too and dug all “her” hits. The young lady corrected me that Bocelli was a male human and sung operas as a tenor. Naturally, I tried to save face by saying something like “oh yes, of course, I know this, I thought you had said Andrea Bertinelli”, but she didn’t buy it and consequently I didn’t get a second date.
Anyways, Wednesday 13 delivered a setlist brimming with dark anthems and twisted tales, all taken from albums during his tenure as frontman of the Murderdolls. And while Drift and Sick ‘N Beautiful wielded more of an an intergalactic performance, Wednesday 13 gave us a taste of horror punk that was unlike anything I had ever seen or heard before. Tracks like Chapel of Blood, Love at First Fright, and a raucous rendition of Billy Idol's White Wedding ignited the crowd and showcased Wednesday 13’s unparalleled charisma and stage presence. I was blown away by his energy and grateful to watch a true rocker on stage, someone born into this role. His relentless energy contrasted beautifully with the more subdued bassist and guitarist (I mean as far as stage movements) who played magnificently and with heavy doses of power. This was a tight show and like the bands previous, Wednesday 13 has since found a spot on the top playlists in my Spotify library.
Finally, the moment arrived that the audience had been eagerly awaiting. With an ominous aura and an unmistakable air of anticipation, Cradle of Filth emerged onto the stage, shrouded in darkness and adorned with the trappings of their infernal aesthetic. Led by the ageless Dani Filth, whose commanding presence belied his 50 years, the band launched into a setlist that spanned their illustrious career. From the haunting strains of Existential Terror to the infernal fury of Crawling King Chaos, each song was delivered with unparalleled intensity and precision. Classics like Nymphetamine (Fix) and Dusk and Her Embrace elicited fervent cheers from the crowd, while Necromantic Fantasies from their 13th studio album, Existence is Futile (2022), cast a spell of dark enchantment over the audience. Dani Filth rocked as hard as ever, as did the other members of the group, like the imposing figure of Marek Šmerda, the band’s tall guitarist, who loomed over the stage like a ghoulish specter from Hellraiser. Cradle of Filth played for around 75 minutes with unrelenting ferocity and timeless allure. I just love this band.
And Flork’s prognosis? The Cradle of Filth Necromantic Fantasies Tour 2024 was a night of unparalleled musical mastery and unbridled passion. From the futuristic dystopia of Drift to the cosmic extravagance of Sick 'N Beautiful and the haunting nostalgia of Wednesday 13, each performer left an indelible mark on the audience. And Cradle of Filth proved once again that age is no barrier to rocking. The show began just before 7:00 pm and ended around eleven, perfectly timed to catch the last bus home and get a proper sleep before work the next day. The evening was for sure a testament to the enduring power of dark and heavy music, completely captivating the soul and igniting imagination. It’s safe to say that everyone present at the Majestic Music Club on March 7th couldn’t and still can’t wait for the next descent into the abyss. Thank-you very much Jablka Daleko od Stromu, the Florkman is forever indebted.
No comments:
Post a Comment