On The Road… with Voivod, Vektor, and Eight Bells


voivod vektor eight bells wreak fete RI poster

One of the top tours of the early going in 2016 brings us the mighty Voivod. The veteran prog metal masters from Canada almost improbably improve year over year. Two years since the release of their album Target Earth (Century Media) the band is still on the road. Better yet, they are releasing a new six song EP, Post Society on February 26th which promises two new songs and a cover. This EP is a stepping stone to a new album, due likely late in the year or early next year. Rather than adapt and conform as many of their peers have over the last 30 plus years, Voivod just rolls on, being Voivod. This excellent bill also boast two other exciting bands from the recesses of the prog metal underground. Vektor is definitely overt in their Voivod worship, but never falls to copying. Just an influence, but its there. If you have ever seen them live, you know they kill it every time. We’ll be looking forward to their new album Terminal Redux (Earache) coming this may. Eight Bells is also on the bill, adding their psychedelic angle to the prog proceedings. We have recently covered the bands’ sojourn across the country and given much praise to their new album Landless (Battleground Recordings) as one of 2016’s best efforts already. The three bands together make for a formidable and fun time. Tonight’s show was opened by local grind junkies Wreak who are solid and fit right in with this bill. Fete Music Hall is one of the many cool venues to pop up from the Providence, RI music scene, not content to be a mere satellite moon to nearby Boston’s Sun. Photographed for Ghost Cult by Hillarie Jason, you can see the spirit and artistry of the bands on display, and the passion reflected back by the crowd. .

Voivod, by Hillarie Jason

Voivod, by Hillarie Jason

Voivod, by Hillarie Jason

Voivod, by Hillarie Jason

 

Voivod, by Hillarie Jason

Voivod, by Hillarie Jason

 

Vektor, by Hillarie Jason

Vektor, by Hillarie Jason

 

Voivod, by Hillarie Jason Eight Bells, by Hillarie Jason

Eight Bells, by Hillarie Jason

 

Wreak, by Hillarie Jason

Wreak, by Hillarie Jason

 

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At The Gates – Converge- Pallbearer – Vallenfyre: Live at Royale, Boston


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Out of all of the annual big name tours that hit North America, none have been as consistent as The Decibel Magazine Tour. On April 10th at the Royale in Boston, Decibel provided a diverse, yet exciting lineup of newcomers, Vallenfyre, one of rising stars in doom, Pallbearer, metalcore titans Converge, and the legends in the flesh, At The Gates.

Vallenfyre, by Hillarie Jason Photography.

 

Kicking off the night was Vallenfyre who, even with an early set time starting at 5:30 in the early-evening, was greeted by a generous and excited crowd. With the Royale having a strict cut off time at 9:30 on a Friday night (I know, I know) the supergroup out of the UK only had time for a few quick songs. Having said that, they got in three songs from each of their albums with favorites such as: ‘Bereft’, ‘Cathedrals of Dread’, ‘The Grim Irony’, and ‘Splinters’. I will certainly be looking forward to seeing these guys again and so should you!

Pallbearer, by Hillarie Jason Photography.

 

Pallbearer hit the stage next to destroy the crowd’s ears and emotions with a wall of sound via doom metal. Obviously in the doom world, songs tend to run a bit longer than your typical song to truly hold atmosphere and provide a mood. Due to this, we only got three songs from the foursome from Little Rock, Arkansas. Boston got to hear ‘Worlds Apart’ and ‘The Ghost I Use to Be’ from the latest release as well as ‘Foreigner’ from Pallbearer’s debut album. Get on the bandwagon for this band as space is limited!

Converge, by Hillarie Jason Photography.

 

Next up to try and tear down the venue were local heroes, Converge. I will be honest and mention I have never truly been a big fan of these guys, but after seeing them live I think I like the taste of their brand of kool-aid. The adrenaline from the four men on stage had trickled down to the floor as fans started surfing right up and over the barricade to sing their favorite lyrics. The set list was very well constructed to allow for four tracks each from the two latest releases (All We Love We Leave Behind, Axe to Fall) and two tracks each from You Fail Me as well as the classic, Jane Doe. A few favorites heard were: ‘Dark Horse’, ‘Trespasses’, ‘Reap What You Sow’, and the closer, ‘Jane Doe’. I may not have known a single word to any of the songs played, but the sheer energy of this live set by Converge is enough to get me to come back for more.

At The Gates, by Hillarie Jason Photography.

 

Lastly, the gods themselves, At The Gates, took to the stage. Even given the time constraints, the Swedish legends were able to punch out a set list of 19 tracks! Obviously with a new album out (At War With Reality from Century Media) I expected quite a bit of new tracks. In total, the Boston fans got seven from the new album, 7 from Slaughter of the Soul and a few others sprinkled in. Some favorites/sing-a-longs played were: ‘Death and the Labyrinth’, ‘Terminal Spirit Disease’, ‘Raped by the Light of Christ’, ‘Suicide Nation’, and of course, ‘Blinded by Fear’. Even after being apart for all of those years, At The Gates can still bring it and boy do they bring it all. Easily one of the better shows that will hit the Boston market in 2015!

At The Gates, by Hillarie Jason Photography.

 

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WORDS BY TIM LEDIN

PHOTOS BY HILLARIE JASON PHOTOGRAPHY