Dissection / Watain / Dark Fortress – Munich (Germany) 4 + 5 Dec. 2004
After I´ve seen Dissection already at their concert in Stockholm in October 2004 (first concert of the tour) I couldn`t help myself > I just had to go to both of the Munich gigs in the “Titanic City” club in December 2004, because I already knew the show and so I knew that Dissection are one of the best live acts around for the moment.
Unfortunately the gig on Saturday 4th was completely sold out (=good in one way, as that`s why the second gig had been organized). But at the same time I knew, that I HAVE to get inside, otherwise I´d go crazy. ;-) I mailed with the organizers several times, but they didn`t make any exceptions, not even when I told them that I´m willing to pay more than the usual ticket price or whatever. So it was a certain risk for me, when I went there on Saturday. I took with me some photos I´ve taken of Dissection in Stockholm (just in case I would cross any Dissection members' way to hand the photos over) and searched for the club in the afternoon. When I arrived, I ran across Jon Nödtveidt right behind the entrance (Dissection had just finished their soundcheck) and gave him the photos. When he asked if I will attend the show, I told him that the concert was completely sold out. And Jon (being all gentleman) organized it for me that my name would be on the guestlist for both days. So the day started out really great.
I was even allowed to watch the soundchecks of Watain and Dark Fortress later on (unfortunately I don`t have good photos of it, as I didn`t have my Canon EOS camera anymore at that time). I also met Lech, who is the only one (except Jon of course) who is allowed to use Jon`s guitar. He was sitting there, tuning the guitar with incredible patience… he needed more than half an hour until everything was tuned perfectly. It was somehow really interesting for me to watch that, because Lech really is a professional.
Oh well… when it was time for the concert, Dark Fortress were the opening support act. Although it would almost be unfair to call them “support” act, as they are the “local heroes” here in that area of Bavaria, concerning the Black Metal scene. The BM audience here loves that band. And exactly that was obvious, as the reaction of the fan crowd did prove. The fans really headbanged and moshed right from the beginning (which is quite unusual for the reserved Bavarians actually, but with Dark Fortress they probably really felt convenient to do so immediately, as the band is familiar to them). Here´s a copy of the original setlist for you (that`s what it looks like if the band cuts the song titles to the minimum ;-) but I´m sure their fans know, what those “short versions” mean… “Iconoclasm” is “Iconoclasm Omega” actually etc. etc.).
After the triumph of Dark Fortress it was time for “Watain” from Sweden, who are not that well-known yet in Germany I guess. But experts of the Black Metal scene know about the qualities of that band… very uncompromisingly they beat the living daylights out of the audience with their tracks.
Unfortunately the crowd was already exhaused after the Dark Fortress gig and probably wanted to save their powers for Dissection already, because the mood during Watain’s gig wasn`t the best… the crowd was quite lame actually, although some few die-hard fans of course headbanged anyway.
So they stopped their gig after ca. 3 songs, as also the sound was very bad … later the singer of the band told me, he couldn`t hear anything on stage due to the bad sound (like the beat of the drums that he needs to hold tact etc.). I think it was a pity, but shit happens.
So sooner than expected it was time for Dissection now. As you might imagine, when Jon entered the stage the fans totally freaked out… his return really is highly apprechiated here in Germany. And right from the beginning the mood among the audience was fantastic. People celebrated the whole gig (okay, 2 or 3 drunk freaks in the crowd thought it would be cool to start a fight, but that was ended by Set and some other fans, before it could escalate).
As Watain didn´t use their full playing time there was more time left for Dissection of course. And they really used it carefully. They played almost every song I know of Dissection, including cover songs etc.
Of course the crowd freaked out at the intro of “Where dead angels lie” and especially during songs like “The Somberlain” as well (which is my favourite by the way). And even the new song “Maha Kali” was enjoyed by many, even after some prejudice in the beginning (the song live sounds much better than on record to my opinion).
So I was really satisfied when I left the location after the concert! I really enjoyed Dissection once more, and so did the other visitors as well. And it was a really good feeling to know, that I would see them again next day.
Of course I returned in time to the club on Sunday. I was able to catch Jon before the soundchecks and could give him the last copy of the CD, that the former webmaster of “Sheol” Magazine has produced 2 years ago (introducing some newcomer bands of the BM and Death scene).
After Dark Fortress had satisfied the crowd once again in a “home match”, this time Watain used their whole playing time and managed to positively surprise the crowd by overrunning them like a thunderstorm with some really indigestible music.
After that Dissection once more gave their best, and even though there were some few sound problems, the fans had a really good time enjoying some of the best live music around. I had a feeling like the mood was even better than the day before, maybe because the club wasn`t that extremely full (like the day before), so the visitors had more space for headbanging and moshing! ;-)
So I enjoyed all the Dissection songs once more with all my heart… knowing that I wouldn`t get the chance to see them live again in the nearest future (that`s why I enjoyed it with every fibre of my senses). And I tell you something > if there had been a third concert one day later, I would have gone again! Quality music is just indispensable!
