Katatonia, Everygrey and Klogr - Electric Bristol

Monday 8th December saw Swedish melodic/gothic doomers Katatonia arrive in Bristol to grace the Electric, accompanied by fellow Swedish progressive metallers Evergrey and Italian alt-metal band Klogr.

The recent departures from Katatonia of co-founding member Anders Nyström and Roger Öjersson led many to wonder if and how Katatonia would continue. The recent release of their 13th Studio album “Nightmares as Extensions of the Waking State”, the prospect of the new live line up, and the complementary support bands on this tour roster have garnered a sizeable and curious crowd, snaking its way around the outside of venue despite the rain and cold weather.

First up on tonight’s bill are Italians Klogr (pronounced Kay-Log-Are) and it’s obvious that despite the enthusiasm of the crowd, most in the room are not overly familiar with them. Undeterred, Klogr emerge with presence and claim the stage without preamble, opening strongly with Face the Unknown. Their music is a beautiful mixture of genres that lends itself to a distinctive and unique sound, incorporating touches of industrial and technical elements, combining clean vocals, hypnotic hooks and tempestuous build ups which get the crowd on board.

It’s not the longest set, but patrons get into it quickly, aided by the commanding presence of frontman Gabriele Rustichelli who looms overhead in his distinctive matrix-esque attire. They utilise the time they have very well, showcasing the full range of the depth and variety of their music. There is such a variety of elements and influences shining through and Klogr cement themselves as a perfectly complementary support for the later bands.

They emerge with confidence, presence, energy and skill – and this is quickly picked up on and appreciated by the crowd. The set starts with just a few tentative head bangers dotted throughout the room, but by the end everyone has got involved; the crowd a single swaying entity, following every cue with a distinct and visible appreciation of what they are watching.

Up next are Evergrey, and they brought the ambience. Blending heavy riffs with soaring, more grandiose elements and penetrating vocals, it feels as though Evergrey are shedding the power metal label they have previously been associated with and are showing themselves as much more melodically progressive. Kicking off with A Silent Arc, the technical riffs and atmospheric sound ignite the crowd. From the second song (King of Errors) the crowd are singing along. Despite only having a 45 minute set time (which I think was a surprise to many in the audience for a line up like this) the setlist was still a great representation of the band and showcased their last few albums.

Rikard Zander’s keyboard and vocals really brought to life the many intricate layers prevalent in Everygrey’s material. Frontman Tom Englund’s vocals were as rich and haunting as ever, perfectly complemented by the blend of crushing guitars and beautiful hooks that promise to keep the audience engaged from start to finish. This set is classy, tight, mesmerising and full of energy.

With unified headbanging, atmosphere in spades, and drummer Simen Sandnes often on his feet encouraging the crowd; this was a set you couldn’t help but be sucked into not just participating in, but actively enjoying. Their passion for their performance is contagious and the band and crowd fed off of each other. This was a statement of pure, raw emotion. Ending with their new single Oxygen! as a thunderous crescendo to their set, Evergrey more than succeeded in whetting the appetite both for Katatonia up next, and what is to come with their new album next year.

Setlist:

A Silent Arc

King of Errors

Distance

Where August Mourns

Cold Dreams

Falling from the Sun

OXYGEN!

Headliners Katatonia emerge amidst an atmospheric alternation of haze and blaze; thick stage smoke and violent strobe lights, to a rapturous reception. Many wondered how the difference in line up would affect the live performance, but new members Sebastian Svalland and Nico Elgstrand do a stellar job. The band is slick, tight, and this is less a gig, more an immaculately rehearsed ethereal ritual. Katatonia sweep us away in the most beautiful tide of gloom, doom, and melancholia. This is a heart-wrenching and beguiling musical representation of sadness made somehow tangible, to be felt in all of its layers of complexity.

Opening with Thrice, we are then taken on a journey spanning from the current album back to 2006 with Leaders and Soil’s Song receiving particularly enthusiastic receptions. The complexity of Katatonia’s material and the atmosphere they create is not to be underestimated. The music is loud and heavy but on a somehow subliminal level, and Jonas Renske’s vocals are on top form. His vocal range is a masterclass from whisper to roar and truly showcases the human voice as an instrument in itself and leaves the audience are in awe.

The light show is trippy, frenetic, and marries perfectly with the atmosphere Katatonia are masters at creating. Blinding strobes, dazzling backlights and thick stage smoke render the band completely invisible at times, silhouettes at others; leaving the crowd with ambient echoes reverberating hauntingly straight into the soul. It is a captivating, intoxicating performance that will undoubtedly leave an imprint on everyone present.

Drummer Daniel Moilanen is a tour de force and delivers an absolutely astonishing performance. The drums are immaculately hypnotic, with constantly changing complex rhythms and he doesn’t miss a beat. This, coupled with the piercing, shredding guitars and powerful, stirring vocals provides an almost religious experience as the music washes over you in wave after wave. This isn’t music you listen to, this is music you feel with the entirety of your being.

Ending with Forsaker, the heightened emotional tension in the room seems to break and I see more than one person wiping their eyes. As the music ends and the main lights come on, there is a sense of stunned awe from the crowd as they start to leave. There is a low level hum, like people don’t want to make too much noise out of respect for the lingering ambience in the hope they can make it last a little longer before having to rejoin the land of the living. Katatonia are masters of their art, and have demonstrated beyond question tonight that they have evolved and are more than ready for their next chapter in their current incarnation.