When one thinks of Liverpool one would not necessarily think of heavy metal. Whilst the city is the home to some respected and credible metal acts, such as Carcass and the Anathema most people would think of the “four lads who shook the world” when it comes to our contribution to music. With this in mind it is heartening to see a decent crowd here at The Invisible Wind Factory tonight.
Over the course of six full length albums and one EP tonights headliners, Washington State’s Wolves In The Throne Room, have been a unique and innovative force. Whilst ostensibly a “black metal” act they eschew almost all of the cliches around the genre in favour of gothic and post rock influences that they claim channel the “energies of the Pacific Northwest’s landscape.”
Opening proceedings tonight are Liverpool based three piece Dawn Ray’d who have an energetic and folk tinged take on death metal. They dedicate the closing number “Emptiness Beneath The Great Emptiness” to Russian born anarchist Emma Goldman as tonight would have been her birthday.
Up next are Manchester’s Wode entertain the appreciative crowd with a more traditional and doom laden take on the genre. Their set is mainly lifted from their second full length effort “Servants Of The Countercosmos.”
Before the headliners take to the stage we are treated to a rather strange sound loop of bass and running water before Kody Kayworth appears to perform what appears to be some sort of pagan blessing with incense. After this it is not long before the rest of the band join him onstage.
Their opener “Thuja Magnus Imperium” from 2011’s Celestial Lineage sets the tone for what can only be described as one of the most intense sets that this building must have ever showcased since it became a venue for live music a relatively short time ago.
Even when the PA system cuts out during the last number, the epic “I Will Lay Down My Bones Among The Rocks And The Roots” they band do not miss a beat whilst the sound engineers panic. Thankfully normal service is resumed quickly. (I was later informed that the bands smoke machine had triggered a smoke detector which had in turn cut power the PA system).
It is worth noting that whilst the a respectable number of people showed up tonight the crowd did not grow by much as the night progressed. Most of the people who attended tonight where here from the beginning. This must be a positive sign as it shows that many want to support the local scene as well as see the headliner. There is obviously a loyal following metal in the city. Let’s hope more credible acts will choose to play here in future.
Andy Sunley
