Vreid / The Furious Horde / Wretched Soul

Formed in 2004 from the ashes of beloved Viking metallers Windir, following the death of vocalist Valfar at what some would consider to be the peak of the band's career, Vreid are common visitors to the UK so tonight's show is to be something a little different; titled 'The Last Supper', this evening's concert will feature the appearance of Vegard Bakken, brother of Valfar. Also making an appearance will be former guitarist Ese and songs from each Vreid release will be aired out.

Canterbury's Wretched Soul are a young band yet their stage presence is one that illustrates a confidence in the live environment. They blur the lines between extreme metal separation, carving out melodic death metal riffs with lapses into thrash and black metal territories. Vocalist Chris Simmons has a formidable stage presence, constantly moving and attempting to get the audience involved wit the song 'Dash to Destruction'. Despite the initial lukewarm reception, it is safe to say that Wretched Soul won the meagre audience members over.

With a banner adorning either side of the stage, Essex's The Furious Horde proceed to bludgeon the Underworld with their take on symphonic black metal, littered with an offering of Marduk-esque blastbeats. With frontman Ruptured Souls outfitted in a skirt while all the band don corpsepaint, The Furious Horde have paid keen attention to the theatrical nature of their music. Their metal is lacking in any particularly memorable moments but punchy guitar riffs have some heads nodding towards the front of the venue.

The audience numbers are paltry tonight, undoubtedly partially due to Vreid's appearance at Damnation Festival in Leeds the night before and the aforementioned frequent visits to the UK. Nonetheless, the Norwegians kick proceedings off with the title track off 'I Krig', a black 'n' roll anthem that defines the band succinctly and encourages headbanging. The setlist gallops through the black metallers standard concert staples including the vicious 'Raped by Light' and the insistent 'Speak, Goddamnit!'. Former guitarist Ese joins the line up for a tri-guitar attack for a couple of songs and provides an austere stage presence. Given that the four-piece are airing tracks from throughout their career, frontman Sture Dingsøyr enquires if the audience are prepared to hear a new song from next year's upcoming release is previewed, entitled 'The Devil's Hand'. The audience reaction is positive and 'The Devil's Hand' is a song that will certainly not disappoint Vreid loyalists.

When Vegard, brother of the late Valfar from Windir, takes the stage, Vreid launch into a trilogy Windir's folk/black metal - 'The Spiritlord', 'Arntor, ein Windir' and 'Svartasmeden og Lunnamyerstrollet'. The audience entirely swallow these hymns, an undoubtedly rare sight indeed. Vegard handles the vocals respectfully and the Vreid members are clearly at home revisiting the past.

Following the Windir tracks, there is a sense of finality in the air and the frenetic 'Pitch Black Brigade' closes the concert, with appearances from Ese and Vegard to pack out the stage. Humbly, Vreid close their concert and the audience reaction is a strong one. Fans awaiting an encore and disappointed but merely being present at this show refutes any real disappointment. It's not often you can hear Windir covers live, particularly from people actually involved in the Windir line up, a fitting tribute to Valfar.

FUTURE GIGS

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