The Venezuelan/Dutch combo had already started while we were still hanging our coats, but from the main hall in the Melkweg you could already hear that they were trying to tear the place apart. Upon entering, I saw the band tearing it up onstage, but when looking at the large portion of the crowd, the reactions were very poor. Only a few little kids nodded their heads and started small mosh pits, but that was pretty much it. In between some of the songs, the band made a few statements and explained meanings of songs, which shouldn’t be done in my honest opinion. I’m there to hear them play, not babble about the song meanings.

As for the actual set, Agresión played a nice mixture of new songs like “Stay” (their new single) and older songs like for example “That Day”. Overall the band was really doing a great job onstage, even calling for the people to get crazy, but unfortunately this didn’t really work out. Sound-wise, the band delivered a very tight set, but later on the roaring guitars and pounding drums overpowered singers/guitarists Juan Manuel and Alejandro. Something that really cracked me up was the fact that drummer Jasper was tucked away in the far right corner of the stage, which looked pretty weird. As the last song by Agresión was played, I was getting very anxious to see the headliner… good old Sepultura!

Sepultura
After a short soundcheck, one of my biggest heroes in metal got onstage and kicked in with an oldie, entitled “Troops of Doom”. Immediately they caught the attention of everyone in the fairly packed venue and finally a respectable mosh pit ensued on the floor. While everyone on the floor was kicking the crap out of each other, the band continued on with an incredible thick sound. During the first few songs, frontman Derrick also picked up the guitar and I must say, I’m impressed since I haven’t seen him do that before. But fortunately, he does a great combo of playing guitar while spitting out the lyrics to all the old and new Sepultura songs with incredible power.

While the carnage went on, the floor was filled with people during songs like “Slave New World”, “Attitude” and “Beneath The Remains”. Weirdly enough, the band mostly played the older material from the “Arise” and “Chaos A.D.” eras. Only two songs from the upcoming album “Roorback” were played, entitled “Corrupted” and “Mindwar”. Even some of the “Revolusongs” were played, like the cover of Hellhammer’s Messiah and Devo’s “Mongoloid”

Still, it was great to see that Derrick was really accepted by the fans now, since the departure of long time frontman Max Cavalera. And I must say, he did a great job with all the older songs. It really did feel authentic, even though it was a different voice.

All in all, this was a night to remember. Unfortunately I did not catch the encore, because I needed to catch the last train home. As I left, a sad feeling overcame me as I didn’t want to leave. Fortunately, I was told that when the album is out, they will definitely be back. And I suggest you all check them out when they do return. You won’t be disappointed!

(Review: Robert Graalman
Pics: Marcia Gransbergen)