| Alec Empire | Melkweg-Amsterdam | Oct 02, 2002 |
     |
Some will call this a strange combination and I agree. The darkwave of the Crüxshadows preceding the noise of Alec Empire. Still, there were a lot of people who enjoyed both shows. On the other hand it was noticeable that the audience directly in front of the stage changed with the change of bands. The Crüxshadows attracted the dancing Goths and Alec Empire attracted (strangely enough?) the more dance-orientated people. In the back were the rockers and metalheads that had had an earlier encounter with Alec Empire and his other act Atari Teenage Riot. THE CRÜXSHADOWS Due to the infamous parking trouble in Amsterdam we arrived a little later than expected. Therefore we entered the Melkweg when THE CRÜXSHADOWS had already commenced their gig and were playing “Eurydice”. The band proved once more to be the perfect live band. Well composed songs and great performance. The combination between violin, guitar and electronics still had not lost it’s magic. Rogue showed again that he is a brilliant entertainer. His mobile microphone gives him the opportunity to move between his fans, to let him climb the posts and balconies. His theatrical movements and emotional voice kept the crowd focussed. This concert was the first in the Netherlands to promote their new album Wishfire and songs like “Binary”, “Tears” and the danceable up tempo “Resist/R” proved that the band has maintained their unique sound. The spoken “Annabel Lee” was a nice interlude and the encore was of course the well-known “Marilyn, My Bitterness” in which a part of the audience got the chance to dance on stage. Again a great performance that leaves you wondering why this band has not done a headlining tour yet. ALEC EMPIRE When Alec and co. entered the stage we were thrown back a few meters. The music was loud but clear. Apparently the soundman did not quite agree as the sound kept getting louder by the minute and although I like some hard music it can even be too loud for me. Personally I have got a love – hate attitude towards the music of Atari Teenage Riot and Alec Empire. Normally I prefer to hear the music live, because the intensity on stage is tangible. If I listen to the records I always got the idea that there’s something missing. It’s hard and direct, but it never gives me the same feeling that I get live. Tonight ALEC EMPIRE chooses the frontal attack. No mercy!! The music of ALEC EMPIRE is more electronic punk than typical noise and new songs like “Path Of Destruction”, “Everything Starts With A Fuck”, “Killing Machine”, “Addicted To You” and “New World Order” proved that. It’s strange that ALEC EMPIRE is given so much credibility for his intellectual way of thinking, because his lyrics are easy as hell. There are these typical chorus lines containing the song title as well. In the end ALEC EMPIRE turned out to be loud and heavy, but takes more to be special…
(Pics by Nicky Danen) (Review & Pics: Beautevil ) |
     |
© Rockezine.com Oct 02, 2002, viewed 1403 times since 666
back
back