I knew it. I'm always one to argue against end-year lists before the year is actually over. Yet, I already published mine, mostly due to peer pressure since my Merchants Of Air colleagues already sent in theirs. I knew that there was one more gig to go to but I published anyway. I'll try to remember that next year, try to be loyal to my intentions.

Another one of my principles is showing up on time. I often read reviews where the journalists only arrive after the first few bands and I always wonder "what's the point of that?". Support acts are severely underappreciated. Quite often, I am one of only a handful of people that see these opening bands.

This day, I arrived a tiny bit too late but well on time to become bedazzled by the amazing sound of Sarkh while enjoying a warming shot of whiskey-cola. 

When I entered the Antwerp Music City, I was rather surprised. I have never seen the venue so packed. For once I had to drag myself a way through the crowd in order to find my favorite spot near the toilets. That's not a weird fetish of mine, it's just the spot with the best sound, and with a few people looking at me, thinking "I know that guy from somewhere". I know, I could be a bit more social. That would help me sell a few more books but I'm not so I stand there and enjoy the music. Suits me better, I think. 

As I mentioned, Sarkh was already playing when I arrived but I did get to see and hear a decent dose of black metal and ambient infused post rock, played with a lot of energy and a lot of power. This is the new outlet for members of Hessaja and I must say, this is one for the future. Sarkh delivered such a potent and immersive set that I immediately regretted having my end-year list already published. To be correct, the first sounds I heard when I entered were bird sounds, abruptly interrupted by brilliant heavy music. This surely is a band to keep an eye on in 2018. I definitely hope they'll be back.

After a short break it was time for Oldd Wvrms to climb the stage. I knew this band. I had reviewed their previous album but I lost track of them due to this website becoming overcrowded and me becoming a writer. Since their mesmerizing gig at Antwerp Music City I regret that and I'm planning to dig deeper into their 'Ignobilis' album. Their occult driven sludge doom sounded fresh, dark and enchanting, using keyboards to enhance the atmosphere and sluggish guitars to drown in. They smashed my end-year list and comfortably placed themselves in my top-10 of 2017. I hope to see them again soon.

Around ten, it was Tongue's turn to shine. I still have no idea what the term "post cascadian black metal" actually means, but this was awesome. While the other two bands mostly came up with slow, lingering music, Tongue chose a ferocious and brutal path. Blastbeats, haunting guitars and eerie screams stunned me and a heap of other people. This was sheer blackened energy from a very high level, perhaps one of the best black metal gigs I have seen in 2017. Besides I was incredibly impressed by the drummer, what an animal.

Mere twenty-five minutes after the last tones of Tongue faded away, I was already climbing the stairs to my appartement. This time, I had my wife's luck with public transport. For once I didn't have to wait longer than one minute to catch the tram. A bit drunk and proudly wearing my brand new Rodeo & Music City hood, I enjoyed the nightly trip through Antwerp's underground and overground, reminiscing the amazing times I had in Antwerp Music City. Earlier that night I sent Paul a picture of the venue (see below) with the words "natural habitat". I don't think I was lying or exaggerating. AMC is becoming my home away from home near home, or something like that.


Serge

It was not the best night to attend a gig so it seemed. The broken record surely spoiled the fun for the bartender and Drawn Into Descent seemed to be arguing about the placement of a spotlight. It was already running past their playtime. I felt a certain vibe, not necessarily a bad one, just one that told me the night would not go as planned. People came in, not a massive crowd but still a decent amount of audience members. Some I had seen, other faces were completely new to me. One girl looked like a younger version of my sister-in-law who would never ever attend a black metal gig. Nonetheless, it was time for Drawn Into Descent to kick off.

Oh, by the way, I did not make any photos. 

I have seen Drawn Into Descent before and I knew that they had potential so I was curious about how these youngsters have grown over the past few years. The first time I saw them, they looked nervous, not really at ease with their stage performance and with their music. Here in Antwerp Music City they opened rather similar, careful. But after a few minutes they seemed to relax and really get into their act. Their atmospheric (post-) black metal suddenly seemed flawless and self-assured. I must say I was pleasantly surprised. Here was no longer a young up and coming band but a well-attuned quartet with top notch and well varied black metal. I was right to keep an eye on these guys. They are going to be big, or at least they should be.

A five hour drive turned into a ten hours traffic jam and the exhausting conditions of touring proved to be too much for the drummer of Nibiru. He arrived at Antwerp Music City in a bad state, claiming he could not play. So unfortunately Nibiru had to cancel. Another sign that the night did not go as planned. Too bad, but the band already promised to be back soon.

Enisum took their time to set up, and eventually they started at 22.00, as planned. Nobody seemed to mind, especially not when these Italians blasted their "Black Cascadian Avantgarde Metal" through the speakers. This was great. From start to finish (and bonus) Enisum kept the entire audience in their grasp. Heads were banged. One girl engaged in a rather sexy ritual dance. Others applauded hard or screamed "yeah" and "whoooo" after every song. Although I loved every minute of it, I was incredibly impressed by the band's drummer. What an animal! The band did great, the drummer made it perfect. 

Right after the last notes faded away, I too decided to leave. After all, I had another book to write and this evening gave me some decent ideas. Yes, it's going to be a dark novel...


​Serge

So next time I'm telling you that something is going to be good, you better show up, even if you are suspicious and not sure if you're going to like what you hear. I am the Nostradamus of the underground music industry, and I fucking proved that last night. Or better, three highly talented acts proved that for me. But enough with the self indulgence, it's time to relive that fantastic evening, an evening that was way more than three bands playing for one another and a handful of people. This was an evening that showed what the underground music business is all about.

The evening started as most evenings I think. I got there early to help Jan from Ondergronds with the hot meal and to welcome the artists. Bark was making a lot of noise in the rehearsing room, people were talking and laughing and I was cutting vegetables. Little later, all the artists walked in. I set up the time schedule, wrote down the entrance fee and socialized to my best attempt. Then, while the acts set up their equipment, the first paying audience members came in. They would also be the last, but that's the risk we had to take.

Around eight, Sitka took his place behind his pedal rack and started filling the room with drones and soundscapes. It had been quite some time since I saw him perform in Mol, so I was extremely curious about his progression. His performance started out in a similar way but gradually I began to notice Sitka opening up. He dared to experiment, searching for his own sound in the drone ambient scene. He is getting there too. What I heard last night was an excellent step in the evolution of a young, talented artist. His drones are still cold and dreamy, perfectly suited to enjoy while viewing over a wintery landscape and drinking a grand cru by the fireplace. Sitka gracefully built his set to the point where an almost overwhelming array of soundscapes rolled through the Music City, and then he abruptly stopped.

They had a little surprise for us, a short improvisation session with Sitka and Stratosphere. What it sounded like? Like the beginning of something beautiful. I love seeing how our scene cooperates and develops. This was another delightful example of that. They barely even looked at each other but you could feel the connection, you could feel the magic happening. The set lasted for only a few minutes but it surely tasted like more.

At most, Antwerp Music City is known for booking heavy bands. Black metal, grindcore, sludge doom, Antwerp Music City usually blasts like a madman. Now, suddenly, there were two drone ambient acts and an unusual Swiss act that does odd things with shoegaze, psychedelic rock and electro. This was truly one of the most unique things we have witnessed and that undoubtedly counts for the metalheads in the audience too. 

Lord Kesseli and the Drums opened their set with a mystifying, ritualistic intro. Candles and incense sticks were burning, filling the room with a church like scent. Then, the first song, perhaps a bit hesitant at first. After all, it can't be easy to convince a bunch of metalheads. But when 'Waiting For Arnold' pierced through the speakers, Lord Kesseli suddenly had all eyes on him. People were looking surprised, pleasantly surprised, even though they might rather have listened to Slayer.

Me? I was singing along, just like my wife. Both of us applauded loudly after, and we were not the only ones. Lord Kesseli and the Drums were on their way to becoming a trustworthy headliner for this already fine evening. Then, electronics, techno beats, more surprised faces. Suddenly, the punky 'MDMA' blasted through the speakers and the words "wow" and "yeah" were shouted. Manu, the driver gave me a big smile and a thumbs up. The energy was wild.

It was brilliant set and I almost felt like an ancient king who had gathered the finest bards in the land to play just for me and a few of my fellow men. Afterwards, someone said "this surely was not my thing but it was brilliantly executed". People started checking out the merchandise, which went surprisingly well. No doubt that Lord Kesseli and the Drums made a damned good first impression in Belgium.

This was the first thing I organized in over ten years and I regret nothing. Even though there were only a handful of people, the evening was a lot of fun. I'd like to thank Jan from Ondergronds for his help and the great people at Antwerp Music City for making this possible. Another massive thanks goes out to the bands who gave it their very best. And finally, I'd like to thank the people who were there. We will be back and next time we will bring Ashtoreth to the Music City. Now it's time for me to do some useful things like cleaning the kitchen and making more coffee. Guess what record I will be playing while I do the dishes?


​Serge