Merchants Of Air
  • Home
  • Reviews
    • Albums
    • Concerts
  • Interviews

Wim's Photo Blog: Aeonion Sorrow, Marche Funèbre, Oceans of Slumber & Swallow the Sun, De Casino

11/5/2019

Comments

 
Picture
For this edition of his Photo blog, Wim went to Sint Niklaas where doomed out riffs and sorrowful vocals delivered a pitch black evening of doom metal. Check out his pictures and follow Wim on Flickr.

Aeonion Sorrow

Aeonion Sorrow - De Casino

Marche Funèbre

Marche Funèbre - De Casino

Oceans of Slumber

Oceans of Slumber - De Casino

Swallow the Sun

Swallow the Sun - De Casino
Comments

Wim's Photo Blog: Darken The Moon X

8/12/2018

Comments

 
Picture
Darken The Moon is a series of Doom metal concerts hosted by Belgian doom death metal outfit Marche Funèbre, since 2009. Since then, the crème de la crème of the international doom scene has occupied several stages. The latest edition was visited by Wim and his trusted camera. He came back with these awesome pictures.

Vin de Mia Trix

Darken The Moon X - Vin de Mia Trix

Ophis

Darken The Moon X - Ophis

Marche Funèbre

Darken The Moon X - Marche Funèbre

Bell Witch

Darken The Moon X - Bell Witch

Mournful Congregation

Darken The Moon X - Mournful Congregation

Green Carnation

Darken The Moon X - Green Carnation
Comments

Darken The Moon VII

26/3/2017

Comments

 
Picture
Little by little my concert-season seems to be kicking off again, which probably is a good thing although my wallet seems to think otherwise. Then again, how often do you have the chance to see both Alkerdeel and Primordial on the same evening, plus get three other interesting bands as a bonus? 

With that in mind, I headed towards one of Belgium's finest venues, Het Bos, next to "the rabbit-pipe". Of course, De Lijn, our national public transport company, did not cooperate very well, eventually causing me to have a nice walk from the Groenplaats to Het Bos.

As usual, my photos for this event suck but I will try to make up for that by writing a decent review. Apparently, I'm way better in photo-graphing tits and robins than bands on stage. Anyway, let's get on with it...

Picture

A Thousand Sufferings

Picture
From Sint-Amands, a town in the province of Antwerp, came A Thousand Sufferings, a band I had seen before but without making a lasting impression. They were already halfway through the set when I arrived, which is unfortunate because I really love intros and first songs. Those always showcase the passion and enthusiasm of a band. However, there seemed to be no lack of enthusiasm and passion with A Thousand Sufferings. Their blend of doom, dark and black metal was highly enjoyable and immersive and I don't think I am the only one who thought so. Even though this quartet doesn't bring anything new or innovative to the scene, they managed to play their blend of styles with a convincing flair. So you won't hear me complaining about these guys. I guess we will see each other again soon...


Nailed to Obscurity

Picture
Germany's Nailed To Obscurity played their very first gig on Belgian soil and it was one that I won't forget easily. With a solid sound and a captivating stage performance, these guys immediately became a first highlight on this evening. They found their own sound, somewhere between Paradise Lost, Katatonia, Moonspell and Amorphis and guess what, those were some my favorite bands in the nineties. So it goes without saying that I enjoyed this gig a lot, enough to buy the CD immediately afterwards. I hope they will return to Belgium soon because Nailed To Obscurity is one of those things today's doom metal scene needs. Melodic, intense, versatility and heavy. More please...


Alkerdeel

Picture
Then again, I'm also pretty much always in for the suffocating heap of aggression that Alkerdeel brings to the stage. There are still certainties in life, and being brutally beaten down by the grinding noise of Alkerdeel is one of them. Wherever these guys appear, hell is about to break loose and that is exactly what happened at Het bos. The didn't hesitate to blast their blackened sludge over a jampacked venue and the audience willingly underwent the punishment. Much like their gig at Desertfest in October, these Zomergem residents came and conquered with a ferocity that resembles a stampede. 

Marche Funèbre

By the end of Alkerdeel, I had to run a personal errant which took me quite some time. When I returned to the venue, Marche Funèbre had already played the majority of their set, seemingly enjoyed by a full crowd. Of course, Marche Funèbre are one of Belgium's best known doom metal bands, crafting their trade since 2007. What I heard was an excellent and well-attuned band that clearly honors the sound of the nineties while also welcoming a modern touch. Certainly not bad and worth checking out decently next time.

Primordial

Picture
I don't want to have to introduce Primordial because they have been doing this for decades. They played their first gigs before some of their fans made their very first steps. They are nothing short of legendary.

owever, if you want an introductions, here is what Wikipedia says: Primordial is an extreme metal band from Skerries, County Dublin, Ireland. It was formed in 1987 by Pól MacAmhlaigh (bass) and Ciarán MacUiliam (guitars). Their sound blends black metal and doom metal with Celtic music.

Undoubtedly, this was the absolute highlight of the evening, making me wonder why they have to play awesome but small venues like Het Bos instead of headlining at large ones. Very early into their gig, I found myself thinking "why the hell aren't these guys the biggest thing in the black metal scene?". Their gig was simply breathtaking, almost perfect even. They also didn't seem to work on sheer volume like most of the other bands, but mainly on excellent sound quality, which is a very, very good thing. See, most bands want to play as loud as possible, which doesn't always result in something satisfying. So for that, my compliments to "Young Daniel", as frontman Nemtheanga called the soundman. 

Speaking about Nemtheanga. I my opinion, he is one of the greatest frontman in extreme metal history, still perfectly capable of lifting both the band and the audience to the required level. Of course, he is back up by brilliant musicians but still, what a performer he is. He constantly pushed the crowd to scream harder, go wilder and back it up by becoming the best damn Primordial there is. So yep, this was an amazing concert, for me personally highlighting in a trance-inducing version of 'Gods To The Godless".

​About an hour later, I was at home, eating chips with cheese dip and watching two o'clock turn into three o'clock. This was a great night, full of good music, nice people and tasty beers. By the way, I have to say that DJ Aldo has some obscure gems in his collection and isn't afraid to blast them through the speakers between the bands. Book that guy for your wedding, it will immediately be followed by an inheritance...(haha).


​Serge

Comments
    Picture
    Merchants Of Air founder Serge has written a sizzling new thriller and his friends added a stunning soundtrack. Check it out!!!

    Bands & Festivals

    All
    1000 Mods
    Acherontas
    Aeonion Sorrow
    Ahab
    Alice In The Cities
    Alkerdeel
    Amenra
    Amorphis
    Angakok
    Angels Die Hard
    Anguish
    Antwerp Music City
    Arkona
    Ashtoreth
    Astodan
    A-Sun Amissa
    A Thousand Sufferings
    Au-Dessus
    Author & Punisher
    Avatarium
    A Winged Victory For The Sullen
    Bark
    Barst
    Bathsheba
    Bell Witch
    Belzebong
    Beyond Our Ruins
    Birushanah
    Black Capricorn
    Black Rainbows
    Black Swarm
    Bliksem
    Bonepipe
    Butcher
    Carnation
    Cartouche
    Channel Zero
    Charnia
    Combichrist
    Crash Course In Science
    Dark Buddha Rising
    Darsombra
    Dead End Path
    Deepshow
    Desertfest
    Devastation
    Devin Townsend
    Dirk Serries
    Distant Fires Burning
    Distillator
    Doganov
    Draconian
    Drawn Into Descent
    Duel
    Dunk!Festival
    Eleanora
    Elko Blijweert
    Emptiness
    Enisum
    Fading Bliss
    Fear Falls Burning
    Fractured Insanity
    Goldorak
    Green Carnation
    Harakiri For The Sky
    Hedonist
    Heidevolk
    Hemelbestormer
    Het Bos
    Honeymoon Cowboys
    Hückaf
    Hungry Like Rakovitz
    Ieperfest
    Incinerate
    Incubate
    Interstellar Deathroll
    Izegrim
    Judgement Fest
    Karma To Burn
    Khost
    Korinthians
    Korpiklaani
    Kuro
    La Dispute
    Lambs
    Lingua Ignota
    Lord Kesseli And The Drums
    Marche Funebre
    Mary Hart Attack
    Mask
    Misantronics
    Moker
    Monarch
    Monkey3
    Mournful Congregation
    Muddler
    Nailed To Obscurity
    Nibiru
    Night Club
    No Joy
    Non-Alignment Pact
    Objector
    Oceans Ate Alaska
    Oceans Of Slumber
    Officium Triste
    Oldd Wvrms
    Ondergronds
    Ophis
    Oranssi Pazuzu
    O Yuki Conjugate
    Pentagram
    Porta Nigra
    Primordial
    Punish Yourself
    Red Fang
    Rituals Of Frost
    Rock Herk
    Rocktoberfest
    Saille
    Sarkh
    Scatterwound
    Shrine Of Insanabilis
    Sinmara
    Sitka
    Slidhr
    Sojourner ​
    Spankraght
    Stratosphere
    Sunnata
    Swallow The Sun
    Synchyse
    Telepathy
    Temptations For The Weak
    The Cure
    The Eye Of Time
    The Necromancers
    Thisquietarmy
    Tomorrow's Tulips
    Tongue
    Trepaneringsritualen
    Trollfest
    Uncle Acid And The Deadbeats
    Urall
    VaatV
    Vin De Mia Trix
    Vinz
    Wanheda
    Wayfarer
    Wednesday 13
    Why Bother
    Wiegedood
    Witch Trail
    Wolvennest
    Yob
    Yodok III
    Zion Train

    Archives

    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    July 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015

    Foto
    This is just something we made to get your attention so while we have it, why don't you click the banner and visit our shop? We got some nice stuff over there and you'd be supporting us as writers and artists.

Find us on

facebook
google+
twitter
tumblr
​
minds

About Us

Contact
FAQ
Logos and banners
© COPYRIGHT 2015. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.