At The Gates last show in Manchester was with celebrated Black Metallers Dissection back in 1996! It is little wonder that tonight there is an almost palpable air of expectation in this University debating hall. The presence of Thomas “Tom G. Warrior” Fischer and Triptykon and to high touted younger acts only serves to whet the appetite for this feast of darkness accordingly.
Unfortunately the bands are up against the clock from the off, with Morbus Chron having being involved in an unfortunate road accident which delayed their arrival. Never the less Metalcore upstarts Code Orange deliver a tight if slightly monotonous opening set. Their thuggish take on Converge style metallic hardcore is delivered with power and aplomb but rarely incites more than polite applause.
When Morbus Chron finally arrive, time constrains only afford them a measly three song set to make an impression. Thankfully tracks from ‘Sweven’ show much promise in the brief outing they are given. Evoking the technicality of acts such as Death and Obscura, this is their first major tour outside their homeland but it certainly won’t be their last.
“That is what happens when you play with a young band full of testosterone” Quips Thomas Gabriel Fischer following the onslaught of ‘Altar Of Deceit’. Due to the aforementioned road accident Triptykon also have to keep it tight but overcoming adversity is what Fischer has excelled at doing his entire career! Tonight’s monolithic performance still manages to shoehorn the bombast of Celtic Frost number ‘Circle Of Tyrants’ into the set for the devoted and devastating epic ‘The Prolonging’ sees bassist Vanja fixing the crowd with her thousand yard stare while her instrument The kohl eyed, frontman may joke between songs but Triptykon’s music is unfathomably nocturnal and terrifyingly hypnotic.
Following such strong support would be a tall order for many but death metal veterans At The Gates clearly thrive on such a challenge. ‘Death And The Labyrinth’ kicks their vitriolic bombast into gear with Tomas Lindberg looking on gleefully, as the circle pits breakout like the first waves of a tsunami.
Adrian Erlandsson delivers an effortless performance behind the kit savagely pounding out ‘Cold’ and ‘Raped By The Light Of Christ’ with surgical procession. The Björler brothers look far more comfortable with their old colleagues than they have as part of The Haunted for a number of years. To say the chemistry between this masterful act had only grown stronger with age sounds almost incredulous but it’s an accurate description of this fantastic outfit.
‘Nausea’ threatens to take the roof off, a stream of punters fling themselves towards the stage with total abandon screaming the lyrics like their lives depended on it. It’s an oddly celebratory feel for a Death Metal gig but then At The Gates are far from just an average Death Metal act.
Much like the complex intricacies of their new opus, these Gothenburg masters are an enthralling experience, defying expectations of age and relevance to cement themselves as true leaders in their field.
WORDS: ROSS BAKER
PHOTOS: LUKE DENHAM