The date: Saturday, February 15, 2014. The time: 7:00 PM. The Venue: Reggie’s Music Joint. The acts: Atrocity, Leaves’ Eyes and Moonspell. This was close to one of the final stops in the Symphonies Of The Night and America Noir Tour 2014, North American tour. After I had heard that these bands were coming to my area, my jaw dropped, for I have been wanting to see these bands for the longest time, especially since the last time that Leaves’ Eyes was in the Chicago Area, they were forced to cancel, so that made this stop all the more special. I arrived at the venue early enough to check out the place, first person to arrive there in fact. On top of being a venue for many acts, it is also a bar/restaurant, and also has 2 small shops inside. I took a gander at both of the shops. The first shop was upstairs and included such items as vintage vinyls, as well as music DVD’s and also a regular mainstream DVD collection. In addition to their assumed collection of obscure and underground metal, I noticed a few mainstream Pop and Rock CD’s as well. Pretty easily absorbant room. The second shop was next door and was more of an accessory shop which included gargoyle figurines, a wide array of incense, horror film and music merchandise, and a whole wall of mainstream rock and mainstream metal shirts. The other half of the joint was the restaurant which included a full bar, a small stage appropriately deemed for acoustic acts mostly, and a few booths and many tables to eat as well as a large projector to view sports or what have you.
After waiting what seemed like forever outdoors in the cold for the doors to open, more people arrived and by the time the doors opened, a large crowd had gathered behind me. After the opening band played their 5 harsh tracks, it was now time for one of Germany’s finest ‘Dark Metal’ acts, Atrocity. Their songlist revolved around a few of their older tracks dating as early as the late 80′s when the band made their debut, and of course the rest of the tracks were in support of their latest album, Okkult. Singer, Alexander Krull, did a fantastic job getting the crowd pumped and encouraging all the metalheads to go crazy. My favorite songs that they played were Pandaemonium, Haunted By Demons, March of the Undying, and Death By Metal. Without a doubt, the heaviest tracks played on the night were brought to us by Atrocity. Their mic stands were also covered in the band’s logo/emblem. A while later after much headbanging and many horns and the band had played, it was finally time for the anticipated act of the night I was looking forward to.
The drummer for Leaves’ Eyes made his presence first and begun to play the tribal drumming off of their first song of the night, off their latest album, song entitled, Galswintha. Then seconds later both guitarists made their appearance and then lead screamer Alexander Krull, appeared and begun to get the crowd pumping and then lead singer, Liv Kristine, came in to kickoff the song with her heavenly opera vocals. This track was a perfect choice to start their night, the double bass, harsh vocals and epic chants in the background were eargasmic. In addition to all that, the song is a first for there is a Leaves’ Eyes breakdown in the song which drove the crowd wild including myself. The second song off the list was Take The Devil In Me. This track was off their album, Njord. A great track as well that certainly got myself noticed by singer Alexander Krull, as I was singing along and hailing the horns. The next song, Farewell Proud Men, is one of their older songs, and also has epic powerful chants. Not a personal choice I would have chosen, but it was good to reconnect with an old favorite. The next track, My Destiny, was definitely one of the highlights of the night. I believe the crowd went wildest during this song. Was it becuase the song revolves around medievel times and battlelore and sacrifice? I think so. I and the rest of the Reggie’s crowd certainly were jumping and waving those fists and horns. Epic. The title track of their newest album, Symhponies Of The Night, was the next track. Another track that easily got the crowd moving with no force, singer, Liv Kristine, really pelt out those operatic vocals, she really did a fantastic job holding those very high notes live. Melusine, was one of the heavier songs of the night and that got the crowd go even wilder which I didn’t think it was possible. The very hard riffs and bold drumming took a toll on the crowd, I and the crowd exherted more energy and more headbanging, as if we didn’t already do enough of that earlier. This track was off of their previous album, Meredead. A melusine, is a mythical creature in the sea from the medieval era in which she bore two tails, and was protective of her descendants and would lure people with her enchanting vocals. She was a being no one dared to mess with. One of my all-time favorite songs was next, Elegy, which is off one of their earlier albums, Vinland Saga. Though the song is not one of their heavier numbers, it is very melodic and definitely sings goth metal with another medievel theme. The unfortunate final song of the night was the first single off their newest album, song entitled, Hell To The Heavens. It was another great choice of song, especially ending on a heavy high note. Easily safe to say its one of the all time heaviest songs from this band. Being the final song of the night you have to give it all you have, am I right? Once the song was over, I was hoping for a surprise encore, but after a minute, the band begun to grab their gear which put a frown on my face. All good things must come to an end.
The final band of the night was the Portuguese act, Moonspell. I stuck around for a few of the songs, but hung around in the back near the bar area. I am not a huge fan of the band, so I figured I’d give my lucky spot up to a major fan. The opening song, Axis Mundi, got the crowd up and jumping. The initial drumming and guitar prepared us for a wave of blackened death and goth. A few of the other tracks that I liked were Alpha Noir, Night Eternal, and Scorpion Flower. Overall the night went better than planned. I got to meet singer, Liv Kristine, for a few minutes and spoke to her about their phenomenal music and what a fanboy I am. I also got her autograph on a few items I purchased at the show like a shirt, their latest CD and a DVD. She was very kind and has a beautiful presence. The night was one I will never forget, and all the bands that night proved that they are worth going to see live. I will keep a hawk’s eye out for their returns. I want to thank the staff that made this night possible as well as the staff who helped me get into this worthwhile concert. Finally, excuse the photography, for as wild as we were, it was tricky to get a good shot. Stay Metal \m/
