BÖLZER – Brisbane, Australia 30th May 2019
As folks are starting to trickle in to The Woolly Mammoth, tonight’s extreme metal bonanza starts with the crushing death metal of Eternal Torment. Although the crowd is somewhat paltry in size at this stage of the evening, the Gold Coast boys are in fiery form and their uncompromising musical attack gets the night off to a great start.
Local black metallers Graveir are next, cutting mysterious figures in hoods and masks which makes weird sense amongst the almost inhuman coldness of their music. The songs have a relentless blend of frenzied, buzz saw guitars, blast beats and shrieking vocals that resemble some arctic demon. Further proof that local extreme metal continues to up the quality.
Next up, Melbourne’s Blackhelm create a more fist-pumping blend of melodic death and black metal. Rob Widowmaker makes a good ringleader for the band, delivering fearsome vocal roars and energising the (strangely subdued) audience. Musically, this is one of the evening’s more epic sets, loaded with shredding solos and twin guitars harmonising on the melody. The band are charging on all cylinders throughout the whole set and by the time they are done, the crowd is ready and eager for this evening’s headliners.
The big drawcard for the night is the Swiss metal duo Bölzer, with drummer HzR and vocalist/guitarist KzR. Even before they enter the stage, there is a strange, mystical atmosphere with scented candles on stage and a long doomy synth intro. Then the two take to the stage, KzR cutting a majestic figure with his bare feet and 12-string guitar.
Some ambient interludes aside, the duo’s set is utterly relentless, a strange patchwork of cascading riffs, dynamic and rhythmic changes and fascinating vocals that veer from brutal growls to grunts and sighs that are not a million miles removed from Celtic Frost’s Tom G Warrior.
On record, they are an intriguing band, their demo, two EP’s and single full-length showcasing how they are able to morph black and death metal into intriguing ‘70s shapes. In a live setting, this combination is even more potent, actually making you incredulous at how two people can make so much noise. Extreme metal with the scent of incense, Bölzer are one of the more intriguing heavy bands out there.
Reviewer: Matt Thrower
Photographer: Charlyn Cameron http://instagram.com/chuck_stuff
