September 16, 2005
Guillotine
Guillotine featured the Tidwell brothers (Daniel & James Eric) on guitar. Some great lead work was on display in a set of Iron Maiden style melodic metal. Far left is frontman Brian "Taz" Berta on vox.
Todesbonden
Todesbonden was an evening highlight and performing on stage for the first time on a major show. Atmospheric doom with some ethnic flavor was provided with flair and extreme competence. Laurie Ann Haus (left) provided the ethereal vocals with undeniable passion.
James Lamb (left) on keyboards. Todesbonden brought their own professional sound manager, Zane Marshall, to work his magic behind the board. Zane has previously worked with National Acts such as Wrathchild America.
Patrick Geddes (no picture-sorry, inexcusable oversight on my part) provided the electric violin parts that evoked comparisons to My Dying Bride. Yes, they were that good!
Todesbonden brought a good crowd to see them and overwhelming impressed the entire audience. This band has potential and look for more of them in the future at Jaxx.
Here is a picture of the aforementioned Patrick - taken by Josh from Metal Exposed
Brave
Jaxx veterans Brave put on their best performance yet in my opinion but suffered slightly from having to follow the transcendent Todesbonden. They soon wooed the crowd and all was fine. More electric violin from Suvo Sur (far right). Michelle Loose, as always, was superb on keyboards and vox.
Both Brave and Todesbonden were the perfect openers for Therion and the crowd was very appreciative of their amazing sets.
Michelle at Brave Merchandise display.
Therion
Therion merchandise sales were good before, during and after the set. The ATM machine was strained.
It such an old cliché to say "You had to be there!", but unfortunately I'm compelled to submit to it. I'm simply not proficient enough to accurately put into words what I saw this night. A flawless production, an amazing cast of talent firing on all cylinders. Energy, charisma and a wonderfully arranged set list. Simply stunning. One of the top 5 shows I have ever seen in my life.
Band leader Christofer Johnsson on guitar.
Johan Nieman (far right) on bass. Mats Levén ( 3rd from right) is the touring vocalist. Solo mezzo soprano Karin Fjellander. (2nd from left)
Petter Karlsson (far right) on the kit. Kristian Nieman (2nd from right) on guitar.
Backing vocal were provided by the amazing quartet of Suvi Virtanen, Risto Hämäläinen, Jario-Petri Heino and Johanna Mårlöv. (far right)
The Jaxx floor suffered minor damage from dropping jaws.
The group bow at the finish was a nice touch.
No argument from me on these well chosen gems. I asked Christofer before the show if they would play "The Siren of the Woods" from 1996's Theli, a tearjerker favorite of mine, and he assured me they would try and do it on their next visit to the States. Something to look forward to next year!
Fan Comments:
I saw the show last night with my girlfriend and a buddy. We drove two and
half hours from Bel Air, MD, spent enough money on gas to have bought a 4th
ticket, and got lost all to see what is probably the best metal show I will ever
see as long as I live!
What Therion did last night on your stage was how metal is SUPPOSED to sound.
Thanks to everyone at Jaxx for getting a band like that to come play, and thanks
for giving metal a place to call home in this area. I'll see you in November
for Opeth! - J.P. Tata
Grandiose, brilliant, unique, extreme! THERION combine the two extremes of Heavy Metal and Classic/Opera almost perfectly by amalgamating the two ends of these seemingly anti-magnetic styles into a furious symbiosis. Cracking Metal-riffs and thundering rhythms are running side by side with opera-esque choirs and classical sounds - and it works out brilliantly! Read the review of their latest Double CD release at:
Therion - Lemuria / Sirius B (10/10) - Sweden - 2004
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