The loud rumble of ancient throaty chants from an intro tape fills the air before Sijjin launch into their brand of death metal. They are fairly direct in their approach but it is pretty satisfying. There is a big thrash influence too and they sit at the point in the late '80s/ early '90s where death and thrash converged and as such they remind me of late '80s Kreator or 'Arise' era Sepultura. 'Religious Insanity Denies Slavery' is a little more complex with a 'Beneath The Remains' feel. The ever growing crowd are appreciative, albeit politely. 'Five Plagues' starts off intricately with a mid paced chug before picking up the pace. It has a 'Master Of Puppets' era Metallica gone death metal feel. They are a tight unit but the drummer is particularly impressive, and they have a nice beefy sound for a power trio. Malte Gericke has a decent growl which is akin to 'Arise' era Max Cavalera. The relentless, aggessive heads down thrash of final track 'Condemned By Primal Contact' is probably their most impressive. They'll never win any awards for originality but Sijjin are decent, no nonsense fun. However, their set is the most straight forward of the evening as things are about to get progressive.
It is pretty packed by the time Oranssi Pazuzu take to the stage. A series of electronic bleeps heralds the start of 'Bioalkemsti' with its monstrously heavy swirl of industrial noise. With Jun-His' howls over the top of it all, it sounds like a blackened Killing Joke and is absolutely mesmerising. 'Muuntautuja's burbling electronics and steady beat are less aggressive than the opener but it builds in tension and is much more ominous. Swirling psychedelia mixes with heavy industrial rhythms and is topped with agonising screams to create a unique and heady concoction. It's played pretty aggressively and it is joyful to see the band members writhing around, punishing their instruments. 'Kuulen ääniä maan alta' is blackened cyber goth with a shit ton of groove, which evokes images of a horrific dystopian future (although we're not far off that now, to be honest). 'Maavaltimo' is heavy as hell prog rock and the vocals are akin to a ghoul running amok amongst your dad's copies of 'Dark Side Of the Moon' or 'Tales From Topographic Oceans'. There are shades of Godflesh in much of what they do and they have an amazing ability to harness the same feeling of dread. Absolutely astounding.
Blood Incantation are flanked by two large obelisks, which has hints of 'Stonehenge' but they are far from a joke. They are about as credible and serious as you can get. When everyone was raving about 'Absolute Elsewhere' last year, I didn't quite understand why everyone was raving that much about it. It certainly is a very good album but it wasn't anywhere near my top 10 of the year whilst it was topping virtually everyone else's lists. However, tonight I totally get it. Opting to open the show with the album in full, they are dazzling right from the start. Brilliant technical death metal akin to Nile or Gorguts mixed with early Opeth but it's when the lighter progressive passages are introduced that their genius becomes apparent. It feels bold and, dare I say, provocative. When the ferocity is reintroduced, the contrast just makes it much more impactful. Constantly switching between the heavy and the lighter, more progressive passages, they are constantly challenging the audience but there are enough skin peeling, intense bursts of speed and aggression to satisfy the gnarliest headbanger. The technicality of their playing often brings prime Atheist to mind yet this is a thoroughly modern, forward thinking take on death metal. It is staggering that a band this adventurous are so popular. The cleanly sung prog rock passage in 'The Message' which gradually speeds up until it explodes in a tsunami of brutality is exquisite. The '70s prog rock touches are beautiful, and there are hints of acid folk too. This is metal widescreen in vision with full Dolby sound too (although if there are hints of Spinal Tap in their stage design, should it be Dobly?). The climax of 'The Message' is rousing, with everyone punching their fist in the air. 'The Giza Power Plant' is no less technical. If anything, it is even heavier and the eastern sounding mid-section brings Nile to mind. 'The Vth Tablet (Of Enûma Eliš)' is savage, heavy and sounds gigantic. Encore 'Obliquity Of The Ecliptic' is a crushing finale. The crowd have been respectful, almost reverential, up until now but they erupt when this special band take their final bow.
Blood Incantation *****
Oranssi Pazuzu *****
Sijjin ***
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