Abigail Williams / Thulcandra

24 May 2011

The Barfly, London

 

Arriving too late to catch openers Iskald, we were greeted by Thulcandra’s In The Realm Of Thousand Deaths introduction as we entered the Barfly.  Red lights bathed the stage as Night Eternal sped off, dominated by drums.  Without a pause Fallen Angel’s Dominion followed with the guitars of Steffan Kummerer and Sebastian Ludwig entwining and stirring recollections of Dissection.  Thulcandra are not shy to admit Jon Nödtveidt’s band as a primary influence and with that controversial frontman no longer inhabiting this mortal coil, Thulcandra stand as an able replacement for those missing that sound.

 

It’s a sparse turn out tonight; I made a headcount of 39.  Kummerer, who also plays in Obscura, noted the lacking atmosphere, pointing out, “Just two weeks ago I was here with another band, it sucked as well!”  Before laughing, “Thanks you for the warm welcome.”

 

On a bit of a tongue in cheek miserable roll, he continued, “We’re from Germany so you know we’re pretty serious about beer.  Thanks for serving us water here!”

 

Due to release a new album, Under A Frozen Sun, later this year, we were treated to a preview with the The Black Flags…?  Sorry, I missed the end of the title as it was screamed.  Possibly ”All Fly?”  Anyway, more importantly I can report it not only fitted Thulcandra’s sound, but impressed greatly.

 

Everlasting Fire led us to what Kummerer described as “The hit song of the last album”, Spirit Of The Night.  With more mid paced sections it certainly cut through the rough sound mix the best during the set.  Kummerer also conceded he only expected ten people here on a Tuesday night and we were thanked for our attendance.

 

In tribute to their major influence, a cover of Dissection’s Somberlain closed a very enjoyable set.

 

Thulcandra setlist:

In The Realm Of Thousand Deaths (intro) / Night Eternal / Fallen Angel’s Dominion / The Black Flags / Frozen Kingdom / Everlasting Fire / Spirit Of The Night / The Somberlain (Dissection cover)

 

Thulcandra Thulcandra Thulcandra

 

There still seems to be a general suspicion of Abigail Williams, due to the metalcore influences on debut EP Legend.  They’ve long since left that behind however and last year’s In The Absence Of Light proved to be even further down the extreme black metal road than the previously more symphonic In The Shadow Of A Thousand Suns.  Growing his hair out, mainman Ken Sorceron also looks more the part than on the band’s last visit in 2009.

 

Hope The Great Betrayal opened the set in a blistering fashion with the cold atmosphere of the sparse crowd matched by the dark blasts of music.  With little pause, Final Destiny Of The Gods continued the devastation.

 

A stable line-up seems to have been a constant problem for Abigail Williams, with the keyboard slot being a particular issue.  Tonight that role is dispensed with, with the band playing to backing tracks.  The rest of the band are obviously well rehearsed to these, sticking tightly to the symphonic backing of The World Beyond.

 

Still with little to say between songs, the band ploughed on with Acolytes which saw a few horns raised near the front.  It seemed apparent that the material from the In The Shadow Of A Thousand Suns album was better received by this crowd and from my viewpoint it is their stronger disc, preferring the combination of keyboards and scything guitars to the more full on attack of their latest album.

 

Finally Sorceron took a moment to greet the crowd and note it was good to be back in England.  The Mysteries That Bind The Flesh was up next but also was my time this evening due to the need to catch a train.  Whilst I quite enjoyed what I saw of Abigail Williams this evening, the lacking atmosphere due to the crowd size definitely affected the show and on reflection I preferred their set at the Underworld in 2009.  However, Thulcandra stole the show for me tonight.

 

Abigail Williams setlist (incomplete):

Hope The Great Betrayal / Final Destiny Of The Gods / The World Beyond / Acolytes / The Mysteries That Bind The Flesh

 

Abigail Williams Abigail Williams Abigail Williams 

 

LINKS:

http://www.myspace.com/abigailwilliams

http://www.myspace.com/thulcandrametal