Hamtramck is a community of creatives that is nestled right up against the city of Detroit. This popular burb is home to some of Motor City’s favorite petite-sized concert halls. The Sanctuary is particularly popular for its inexhaustible source for live entertainment that caters to everything from Punk Rock to Black Metal. They have a small town charm in the middle of the big city where they welcome all to their dive bar vibes and small, but mighty stage. Last weekend, Khemmis brought their North America MMXXIII Tour to this prized place.
The evening took off with Canada’s multi-genre metalists, Wake. They broke into song with seething speed and indignation which was unrelenting through their whole set. They projected an unhindered sound of torment and contempt. A wave of dismal darkness washed over the room as they maneuvered through their songs. The low lights let every one soak in these brooding boys and their direct, penetrating playing with ease. The last two numbers they jammed out were off their 2022 full-length record, Thought Form Descent which revealed the band’s keenness for a more Blackened Metal sound. Their angry agility punched you in the face with figurative fists of fury and foreboding. Their woeful, thick tones conveyed a kind of alluring dread and inviting misery.
The cloudiness cast by the opening act continued with UK’s rising stars, Conjurer. After the lull during setup, there was a sudden shift that shocked the system as they attacked on their first number with vindictive viciousness. This is another group that can’t be categorized by just one genre. With a Blackened tinge, this quartet explores heavy grooves of Doom and the explosiveness of Post-Metal. The small room rattled as the dense strings spewed forth with definition and depth. Guitarists Dan Nightingale and Brady Deeprose shared their shrieks of outrage with power. The few times they chatted with the crowd; one was slightly removed from the angry atmosphere created. Their polite, jolly ‘ol British accents made one question how they conjured (get it?) up such venomous vocals. The moody music had the crowd intrigued and the more atmospheric moments allowed everyone to catch their breath from the blood-curdling crescendos. One had to wipe their brow from the heat each of these bands revved up.
It was a quick turn around and as the lights went out, the headliners were welcomed to the stage. Khemmis opened with the energetic and magnetic piece, ‘Avernal Gate’ off their most recent record Deceiver (Nuclear Blast). Their galloping guitars, minor keys, and deafening distortion made for mouthwatering melancholy. The low-tuned instruments thrummed with thunder as they broke into each one of their gorgeously gloomy songs.
Phil Pendergast swaggered into the middle of the crowd as his guitar wailed with convicting tones. His clean vocals pierced the overcast sky of sound on numbers like ‘Bloodletting’ and ‘The Bereaved’. Ben Hutcherson’s harsh screams seeped in and provided such a contrast to the creamy cleans. The audience was fully engaged while still being very affable with each other. There was drudgery and grimness as the four-piece from the Rockies raged out their songs about death and depression. They played both numbers off their most recent EP, Where the Cold Wind Blows. There was effortlessness and pleasure in their playing. Though their content may have darker themes, each guy jammed with a grin and the well-behaved onlookers reciprocated the geniality. Knowledge and intricate work done by Zach Coleman’s drumming cut through and carried the rigor produced by each musician. They articulated their anguish through mournful melodies and heartbroken harmonies. They beamed as they wrapped up their set and everyone chanted, they wanted more. Yet no encore came. Yet everyone left hoping these Modern Doom Metallers would be back soon.
WORDS AND PHOTOS BY RAGIN ROSIE