Lasts I time I saw Immolation play live was some 5 years ago. But this tour, they didn’t play anywhere reasonably near, so I had to go to Groningin to see them (When I lived in the East, they never played there, but always at the Baroeg in Rotterdam. Now I live in the West, the don’t play the Baroeg, but stop at Metropool, Hengelo). Anyway, a grand package, with the mighty Grave and Krisiun as supports.

The opening band nevertheless were the New Zealand band Dawn of Azazel. This trio plays a form of brutal death metal, which turned out rather samish throughout their set, with many blast beats. The only thing that really sets them apart is some of the intricate guitar work. A good warm-up, but no more than that. Members of the band could later be spotted in the mosh pit during the other bands.

The second band of the evening is the mighty Grave. Old-school death metal galore, with the opening track “Turning Black” of Soulless. The band apparently didn’t want to promote their latest album too much (they already did the Masters of Death tour a short while ago for that) and played mostly older songs. Ola appeared enthusiastic a lot – more than ever. And the whole band seem to enjoy this time. Few newer tracks were played – “Rise”, “Burn” – and many of the classics were played, including “You’ll Never See”, “Into The Grave”, “Soulless”, “Deformed”, “And Here I Die” and surprisingly “In Love”. This was one of the better Grave appearances I have seen, since their reformation.

Krisiun is a brutal death metal band from Brazil. Lots of blast beats and fast, rhythmic riffing here, and that typically works better live than in the studio. As always, they work full-speed ahead through their set. Unfortunately the songs start to sound a bit too similar in the end. Particularly since the album Conquerors of Armageddon there is little progression in their song material. Alex did his underground preaching a lot, like he always does. One of the strong points of this band are the guitar solos, but there were fewer than there used to be. Some song titles I remember: “Bloodcraft”, “Vengeance Revelation”. I wish they for once play the “Black Force Domain”…

Then there was Immolation who released an EP a month ago and a new album to be released during this tour (it was however on sale there). The opened with the “Swarm of Terror” off the previous album, quickly succeeded by “Father You’re Not A Father” of the Close to a World Below album. Bob Vigna is a really great guitarist. Without the use of any additional equipment, like pedals and other shit he pulls crazy dissonant riffs and awesome intricate guitar solos from his strings and combines that with a strong stage presence. Shalaty, the new drummer seems to be quite capable of playing the material, something I was a little worried about, since his work on the album “Harnessing Ruin” couldn’t top the dynamic and complex skinswork of Alex Hernandez. Soundwise, the guitar was fading in and out a bit sometimes, but it didn’t ruin it – further the sound had been pretty good during the entire evening. And a band like Immolation does need a good sound. A couple of new songs were played as well which sounded great too. On the downside, they seem to have changed the songs of the debut album to a faster pace, which sounded strange and diminished the appeal of the older material. But nevertheless a great evening in the distant Groningen.

Set list:

• Swarm of Terror
• Father You’re Not A Father
• Passion Kill
• Into Everlasting Fire
• Dead to Me
• Close To A World Below
• Challenge The Storm
• Den of Thieves
• No Jesus No Beast
• World Agony
• Of Martyrs And Men
• Hate’s Plague
• Harnessing Ruin
• — Encore —
• Dawn of Possession