LIVE REVIEW: Archgoat @ Sound Control, Manchester
Winter is coming with each passing day and as the end of the year approaches, the winter gig season is now well and truly in full swing. Alongside countless bands on the road, Finnish horde ARCHGOAT are bringing their brand of gritty metal to the masses. We caught their show in Manchester to see if they could replicate their ferocious studio sound.
Due to the unfortunate situation of arriving late to the venue and missing opening act EGGS OF GOMORRH, Icelandic black metallers SVARTIDAUÐI aimed to whip up a storm with their icey soundscape. With Iceland’s black metal scene really beginning to blossom in recent years, there was a real pressure on SVARTIDAUÐI to deliver a solid performance, and for the majority of their set, they certainly did just that. Creating an intoxicating atmosphere through a barrage of blastbeats and cold and concise riffing, the band gave a strong performance, one which further strengthens the claim that Iceland is producing black metal of utter quality.
Rating: 8/10
BÖLZER have amassed a solid cult following in their now nine years together as a band. With a strong underground reputation and their long-awaited debut, 2016’s The Hero, under their belts, the band gave a strong performance, one which engulfed the audience through their enormous sound. Perhaps the most impressive aspect of this big live sound was simply the fact that the band is comprised of just two members. KzR solitary guitarwork was simply monolithic in its delivery and his vocals held up well in the mix, whilst HzR gave a impressive display behind the drums. The chemistry between the duo was fundamental to BÖLZER‘s live impact and the result was a solid performance, one which showcased the promise surrounding a band rising up through metal’s underground.
Rating: 8/10
Since 1989, ARCHGOAT have been forging their own craft of sonic destruction and in their headlining performance in Manchester, the Finns brought a live sound that was utterly emphatic to witness. From opening in sheer fury through Nuns, Cunts and Darkness the band set the tone for their set in the best possible way and it was intimidating to say the least. A gritty backline through the blistering drum work of Goat Aggressor and low guitar tones from Ritual Butcherer fused together to create audio mayhem as ARCHGOAT powered their way through a strong setlist littered with material across their career. As ARCHGOAT stepped up through the gears, one aspect to their sound stole the spotlight; the utterly satisfying riffs at the core of their sound. Packing big hooks and churning the pace aligned to the percussion, with The Apocalyptic Triumphator and Apotheosis of Lucifer being the best highlights of this, the onslaught of riffing packed a powerful punch and really hammered home the intensity of ARCHGOAT‘s live performance. From start to finish, ARCHGOAT gave absolutely everything in a performance that demonstrated why they are so respected in extreme music.
Rating: 9/10
