(Drivebycuriosity) - Heavy metal is global. My wife and I went to Mexico City to see Amenra. The doom-metal band from Belgium was the top act @ Doom City Fest in Mexico`s capital. We had discovered the band last year @ Psycho Las Vegas (psycho). Since then we adore their spiritual and violent shows & music. The fest, which happened @ Sangriento, a former factory, focused on doom, black & death metal and 9 bands performed on two stages from 4pm till midnight.
The Amenra show was again hyper-intense & hypnotizing (images above). They performed under an open sky between massive walls & silos, covered with murals, which amplified the metallic & psychedelic effect. I don`t find words to describe this enigmatic experience, but here some quotes from professional reviewers: “Their unique musical style, characterized by brooding atmospheres and spiritual intensity and their live performances, accompanied by visual art, have been described as entrancing communions” says Wikipedia (Amenra). The Independent wrote that their "avant-garde post-metal" music "pushes the boundaries of extreme music by being heavy in practically every conceivable way; sonically, emotionally and spiritually (independent ).
Even though we arrived there past 7pm we made some discoveries and got new favorites. I indulged into show & sound by the Mexican doom & sludge metal band Fumata ( fumata). The magazine signos calls them "The Mexican super group of stoner and doom metal" ( signos.fm). The frontman delivered a diabolical show, supported by incredible massive sounds, which reminded of drown metal bands Sunn O))) and Earth (they have a cooperation - called split - together with an member of Earth). I want to hear more from them!
I also got impressed by the German power-duo Mantar ( mantarband). Their name means mushroom in Turkish (wikipedia). Drummer Erinç Sakarya & guitarist Hanno Klänhard practiced "the modern art of setting ablaze" (the title of the newest album), a kind of post-punk what ever that means. Klänhard can easily replace a band with three or more guitars, his virtuosity & energy seems to have no limits. Together with Sakarya`s staccatos he celebrated a fierce and breathtaking show. Bravo!
Doom City Fest Mexico City was an amazing experience, many thanks to bands, curators & organizers. I hope to see Amenra, Fumata & Mantar again some day.
To be continued
Interesting post. Thanks Gerhard.
ReplyDeleteI know a great band in this music genre that you might enjoy. Check out Bell Witch.