LIVE REVIEW: Orbit Culture @ The Cathouse, Glasgow
A debut headline tour of any band can be a pivotal moment to either solidify their status or hinder at their progress. On the first night at the heart of Glasgow, it was not merely the first show of their tour; it was the inception of their headlining journey. At the sold-out The Cathouse, ORBIT CULTURE, the rising Swedish melodic death metal outfit, unveiled their latest music in recent album Descent, along with their EP The Forgotten. With this, it aims to break their presence with confidence that will help delight the crowd with their rich collection of heavy music.
The air crackled with anticipation as the words “HERE WE FUCKING GO”, signalling the start of an electrifying night. DEFECTS, London’s formidable four-piece, wasted no time eliciting an enthusiastic response from their Glaswegian crowd. As the sounds of End Of Days reverberated through the venue, the energy culminating the opening of a battle and Scapegoat kept the moshpit momentum alive with their infectious warmth. The atmosphere was transformed into a dazzling galaxy where the audience could revel in the sounds of Dream Awake.
The fresh melodies of Modern Error, a track from their upcoming album, and an anthem to the naysayers from Second To None, the band incited chants that ruptured the very fabric of the early evening. As DEFECTS delved into Broken Bloodlines, a poignant ode to shedding toxic influences, the groove resonated deeply and the night reached its climax with the final song, excitement of fans ‘hanging out with the band’ by circling around them and taking pictures added the element of fun and leaving an indelible mark on the night, a testament to their electrifying performance and undeniable charisma.
Rating: 8/10
As the descend of Lustmord‘s hauntingly atmospheric prose Babel shattered the walls with a glimmer of light hitting the stage and gasps from the Glaswegian spectators, it was a palpable reminder of an upcoming otherworldly experience was about to unfold. As the first steps were taken on The Cathouse floor, Glasgow erupted in thunderous applause to the Swedes’ captivating takeover.
The thunderous openers of Black Mountain and the thrashing power of Strangler set the tone for an enthralling showcase of the band’s exceptional musicality. Their ability to connect with their audience on such an intimate level with ease added to their timeless appeal. The crowd’s thunderous response to earsplitting North Star Of Nija and the ferocious Nensha was a musical testament to the unwavering craft. Shredding subtle hints of STRAPPING YOUNG LAD was The Shadowing gave unmatched unified singalongs from the evening while the classic See Through Me was melodic affair that had plenty of punch. As Glasgow got to witness history being made, one cannot help but admire the skill set by the Swedish phenoms.
The band’s innate groove exudes a primal energy that radiated an unwavering confidence, comparable to a canine baring its fangs. Niklas Karlsson‘s power stance was a maelstrom of demonic utterances possessing a presence that has every spectator hooked, while the clean vocals ascended to ethereal heights. The dual guitar assault unleashed alongside Niklas was lead stringsman Richard Hansson, who created a whirlwind of intricate and infectious riffs and intertwining with the thunderous basslines was Fredrik Lennartsson to create a sonic tapestry of unrestrained power. Christopher Wallerstedt‘s drumming was a symphony of technical prowess, driving the music forward with a relentless and explosive force.
Their boundless energy ignited the audience back in motion with the older pummeller Redfog and kept the inferno alive with Alienated. As they ascend the ranks of metal stardom, ORBIT CULTURE‘s stunning performance reached with its pinnacle track From The Inside. The colossal chorus elicited a fervent response from the audience, who immersed themselves in the soaring solos. Amidst the pulsating melodies, While We Serve witnessed the crowd surfers’ audacious displays inspired by their previous tour with the legendary MACHINE HEAD. The band gazed as fans transformed into waves and security personnel calming down the tides. As the night was closing with a quick swig of Scottish elixir Buckfast, Vultures Of North sparked a destructive wall of death of the night.
The band’s dynamic command over the audience was further augmented by a piece of Scottish metal history with the stunning presence of Scott Kennedy from BLEED FROM WITHIN, whose ferocious growls added an extra layer of intensity adding further destruction to conclude the set. It was a moment after the show that it’ll soon become one’s prerogative to keep a watchful eye on the band’s excellent trajectory. The domination of ORBIT CULTURE has only just begun.
Rating: 10/10
Check out our photo gallery of the night’s action in Glasgow from Duncan McCall here:
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