“Le monde tremble quand vous jouez / The world trembles when you play” (Paganini about the young Czech violin prodigy Josef Slavík.)
I’ve always wanted to see Negative Plane live, but unfortunately never had that chance. The oportunity took shape earlier this year, when we booked a holiday in Prague and found out that during our stay, on the 7th of April, the Americans will also stop in the Czech capital as part of their European Tour, in support of their latest album, The Pact (Invictus Prod/Ajna Offensive). This tour was the band’s first proper European tour in more than a decade, so this event was definitely not to be missed. For some unknown reason their album went completely under my radar when it came out, I only started to thoroughly listen to it earlier this year and I absolutely loved every minute of it. So what better chance to experience their performance than in the gothic city of Prague?
Initially the show was supposed to feature the Austrian warlocks from Hagzissa as opening act, another band I have been dying to see live, so it looked like the stars finally aligned. A couple of days prior to the show though, Hagzissa announced that they won’t be able to make it to Prague, so as a last minute solution the local band Oči Vlka was chosen to open the show instead.
We arrived at the location (Klub 007 Strahov, one of the oldest music venues in the Czech capital) a few minutes before the scheduled opening of the doors, but to our surprise we and all those who were already waiting there were kept outside in the cold because the doors would not open til the sound checks were finished. Finally, after almost freezing for 50 minutes we were allowed inside the club and the first stop was to the merch stand to check the goodies. The band brought a decent selection of merchandise, from Tshirts to Cds, vinyls and metal pins, so those interested had a lot to choose from.
I was curious about the first band of the evening and I was surprised when I noticed they had no bassist. Oči Vlka is actually a duo, comprised of Slawa (guitars and vocals) and Sturmfurher (drums). Around 8 pm, after a final check up, they started their show as people already gathered in front of the small stage to watch them at work. The band plays a sort of cavernous black metal infused with some death (and even doom) metal elements. The songs are quite long and atmospheric, with several rhythm changes and sound surprisingly well without a bass guitar. I really liked the drum patterns and the easiness with which Sturmfuhrer switched from the super fast blast beats to the slower and more opressive parts. Overall their performance was enjoyable and definitely set up the mood for what was next to come.
After the mandatory change over Negative Plane stepped on the club’s small stage and I was extremely (and pleasantly) surprised to see they even had a live keyboard player (Jessie Nelson) for the night. The band didn’t waste any time and opened the show with A Work to Stand a Thousand Years, the first track of their fantastic record The Pact.
I was hoping the band will play as many songs off this record as possible and I was not disappointed. For more than an hour (at least that’s how I felt it), they performed a full set consisting of a variety of songs from all of their albums, with a special focus on The Pact. Besides A Work…, I was insanely happy to hear Poison and the Crucifix, Three Turns to the West, the beautiful instrumental The Wailing of the Immured / Even the Devil Goes Into the Church or the fantastic 16 minute monster And So it Came to Pass, with its melancholic, almost funeral guitar part which majestically closes the song. Those present in the small but packed venue headbanged, cheered and supported the band all throughout the show, creating a very intimate yet sweaty atmosphere, just perfect for this kind of underground black metal show.
Feeding off the crowd’s reactions and energy, the band gave their best on stage and without any doubt they sounded even better than on disc. I think one of the main characteristics of Negative Plane‘s music is the guitar work which made them stand out from other bands and live they did not disapoint at all. Watching Ed and Derek from so close becoming one with their instruments was pure bliss, there was magic coming out of their fingers. They complemented each other perfectly and they managed to create that special, typical tone which makes them instantly recognizable, thus providing an intense performance.
Replacing Bestial Devotion behind the drums was another fantastic dude, Bob Nelson, who absolutely killed it that night. Black shades on, the guy did a fabulous work in delivering one of the most intense drumming I ever saw, with surgical precision. Thammuz on bass and Jessie on keyboards completed this perfect lineup of extremely talented musicians which delivered a great and memorable set, making it one of the best black metal shows I experienced so far.
For me Negative Plane‘s music and lyrics have always been very religious. To be fully grasped, I think they need to be experienced in the deafening silence of an old gothic church, while looking around at its cold, grey stone walls and stained glass windows. Only then the experience will be complete.
“I have seen it in a dream
A palace to exalt the angels
A monument to the God in Heaven
with spires that seem to touch the clouds“
The Pact European Tour lasts for one more week, so do yourself a favor and go see Negative Plane on the remaining dates. You’ll be sorry if you don’t.
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