Wolves In The Throne Room (WITTR) begun their Australia and New Zealand tour last night, Thursday 28th November 2019 at Badlands Bar in Perth supported by locals Bloodlust and Illyria thanks to the almighty Soundworks Direct Touring.
WITTR brought their atmospheric black metal from the Pacific Northwest of America to our Southern shores last night, their unique blend of extreme music an ode to the nature they live within and the ancient spirits residing there in mother earth, history, lore, mythology and dreams. Dusk set on Perth Thursday night, cooling a hot sunny day with a nice breeze, the crescent moon barely a sliver in the pink and purple sky. Badlands Bar sits alone on the outskirts of Northbridge holding few cars in the desolate evening. Bloodlust front man Louis Rando did not hold back with the brutal onslaught hailing Satan in his spike leather clad attire, dark, wavy hair flying as he moshed violently, screaming mayhem flawlessly. Despite the small crowd, Louis encouraged moshing without much avail, but that did not stop the band playing full force in support of WITTR.
The main floor filled out as Illyria brought tranquillity to the stage, soft blue and white lights and beautiful melodies filled the cavernous room, the sunken pit scattered with a dozen people, nearly half of them photographers. Yellow lights flooded the floor as the usual vocalist worked the lights and Remission vocalist, Jacson Robb, stepped in. The tempo changed and tranquillity became chaos as Jacson growled deeply. The crowd remained quiet and distant despite demands to ‘bring it in’.
Perth’s post-metallers were an interesting choice, with not much in the way of Atmospheric Black Metal in Perth, one could see why these guys were chosen with the similar tranquil then chaotic vibe but in a slightly different style. As the set progressed black clad figured slowly filtered into the room in anticipation for the nights headliners.
Suddenly the room seemed filled, not packed, but comfortably spaced, both the sunken pit and the surrounding ground level standing area, even in the seating booths at the back. Yellow lights glowed down on the stage empty of people. The drum kit illuminated as well as the banners with curls resembling leaves and feathers with Celtic reminiscent patterns. Sage filled the slightly smokey room, the sense of wood fires evoked, ominous music plays and the band file on stage, crowd yelling in eagerness.
The feeling Wolves In The Throne Room invokes is like no other, I close my eyes and am transported from the hell-pit designed bar to old mountains and forests from brutal storms to pleasant dewy spring mornings with a fawn running through the trees. This is the power of WITTR, music so encompassing it is like magic transporting you to a new realm. Opening my eyes I am back in the cave-like structure of Badlands Bar, the room now comfortably full, the crowd goes wild for WITTR. The cold drip in a mountain cave matches the bars atmosphere with stalactite structures over the sunken pit and stalagmites forming around the seating areas.
It was a magical night and if you have the chance to catch Wolves in your state you’d be crazy to miss the experience. The music surrounds you, flows through you and entwines with your soul to take you away to a place of wonder. Soundworks Direct has brought another killer show Down Under, the support from Perth, although at first was dismal ended up being outstanding , which indicates this should be a massive tour, thank you and well done to all involved.
PHOTO GALLERY
Photos by Shadow World Photography
Wolves In The Throne Room
Illyria, Bloodlust
WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM
with KING & local supports performing at:Nov 29 –
Brisbane, Crowbar w/ Hope Drone + Empress
Nov 30 – Melbourne, The Corner w/ Sundr + Suldusk
Dec 1 – Sydney, Crowbar w/ Somnium Nox + Golgothan Remains
Dec 2 – Canberra, The Basement w/ Claret Ash + Ploughshare
TICKETS ON SALE NOW!!!
MELBOURNE – http://soundworksdirect.eventbrite.com / https://cornerhotel.com
ALL OTHER SHOWS – http://soundworksdirect.eventbrite.com / www.oztix.com.au
