Hanging Garden (FIN)

This concert in the centre of Tampere, Finland, has started surprisingly early – at 9 p.m. I still can’t get used to this Finnish tradition of playing in the night, so this time was really good for me. I’d say this concert was calling for me promising something good.

But the first band on the party was not that good. Hanging Garden is about 6 years old doom metal band and they have 2 albums so far. I haven’t heard those albums but I’m sure it worth listening if you’re into doom metal. But live Hanging Garden was pretty awful. I understand that it was Wednesday and in the club it were about 30 people and it was the first band, but still, they were on stage and the audience was waiting something… something more than that rehearsal that we have seen. Musicians were dressed as in usual life; they hardly moved and made lots of mistakes playing their own music (and the clean vocal was beyond all critics). Hey guys, it’s not serious! I’d say that some very young “demo-band” in the beginning of its career can play such a gig, but not a band with 2 albums behind! I can recommend listening to such a “show” with closed eyes because if you don’t see this highly unprofessional behaviour on stage you may like this music – it’s not a hit but it has some interesting melodies and very strong atmosphere.

Gotham OD

So, after the very long set of doom metal the second band Gotham Od was like fresh air… And it was a very big surprise and my good luck to see them. Dark heavy rock with nice show looked really great after the previous band. Gotham Od played much better, their performance and music are interesting, many-sided and vivid. 5 musicians looked very colourful and different but still as one band; vocalist Ilkka was amazing with his mimics, free movements and confidence. Not only Ilkka tried to cheer up the audience; drummer Jone and guitarist Juuso also communicated with people. Bass player Jesse sat down on the chair because of some troubles with his leg. Now it was already a show, not a rehearsal, although still in the club was about 30 people and they just sat at the tables. And the lights were awful during the whole concert or, I’d better say, there were no lights at all: some red floodlight in the background and usual white lights in front of the stage, and it’s never changed. So, it wasn’t the best atmosphere for the bands to play but Gotham Od definitely made this night amazing. Though, I should admit, the albums of this band (their second album should be released now in February 2010) are good only for the fans of this dark heavy rock and gothic rock, others can find it boring.

Beyond The Dream

The headliner of the night was Beyond the Dream, maybe the most known band of those three on the concert. 5 very serious musicians looked stylish, confident and professional. Strange that they have only self-released albums, I believe this band has and will have a success among the goth audience (maybe not only goth). Beyond the Dream has the definite and mature style, they are beyond all doubts strong and talented musicians. But after the vivid and colourful Gotham OD they looked a bit boring, black-and-white and monotonous (it’s not bad, it’s just another side of the dark music). Their accurate playing and great rhythms are praiseworthy, but the vocal could be better and more different. Beyond the Dream definitely would be better with a good light show and with more beer… And maybe some day they’ll do a great solo show without any support, because they have so strict style that it’s better to concentrate on it, not to compare with other styles.

So, it was the evening of dark metal music for any taste and we’ve seen three different sides of it. It was great and very interesting and I thank all the bands for entertaining us.