21.09.2005 : Katatonia and Forest Stream gig in Moscow
The inspired meet the inspirers said the webpage of the support band Forest Stream about the upcoming gig with Katatonia. Forest Stream did not deny the fact that indeed Katatonia was one of the first bands, which had impressed the frontman, Sonm, and that this gig is something special. How the performance was taken by FS now, I do not know. But as a fan, I share my absolutely personal impressions about Katatonia + Forest Stream gig in Moscow, on 17th of September, 2005, Tochka venue.
It happened so, that I arrived to the spot long before the event and since it was the first time I was in that club, I naturally took a good look around. I must say that my impressions are quite favourable: unlike other clubs in Moscow, this one had a very nice interior, which showed that the owners took in consideration the style and created appropriate atmosphere by means of decoration. The overall space is divided into three areas: the ground floor, the vip area, which forms a so called second floor, and the third floor. The ground floor is meant for those who want to be closer to the stage. The vip area for an extra fee provides the visitors with an opportunity to see the gig sitting at the tables. The advantages of this area are that your place is guaranteed and the entrance is allowed to a limited number of people. The third floor is the farthest area from the stage. It also has some tables. On this floor there is a chill out zone for the musicians—very comfortable and what is very important it has very good sound isolation. This time FS were placed there. However, during the gig it appeared that this zone is not being guarded at all, so any one from the club can access it. Luckily, this time everything went ok, no unpleasant incidents, whatsoever.
The venue was opened for all the visitors at 6 o’clock. Fortunately, everything was organised quite well and people did not have to wait endlessly to get inside the club. Forest Stream were scheduled to go up the stage at half past seven, so it happened. The show began. The audience greeted the musicians by a roar of applause, whistles and just screams. Sonm, the vocalist, introduced the band and the first song—Bless you to Die. Now that was a swell beginning! The venue roared with powerful guitar riffs and killer drum parts, all this accompanied by Sonm’s impressive growl. From the very beginning of the concert the band radiated so much drive and atmosphere that the audience could only surrender and respond with appropriate emotions and reactions. The time flew fast and those who came could only enjoy it because FS really did a great job. All in all, they played 5 songs:
1. Bless You to Die 2. Autumn Dancers 3. Winter Solstice 4. Black Swans 5. Rider on the Bonez (originally by Diabolical Masquerade)
Already after the show I found out the guys had to play without their sound engineer, which is quite difficult, as you might have guessed. However, in my humble opinion, no terrible flaws with the sound were noticed, for which a pay an even greater respect to the guys.
After a short break those who were waited for such a long time in Russia, came onto the stage. Everyone dashed closer. Except for me of course, as I really wanted to survive this gig. In general, although the organisers promised an exclusive set-list for the Russian mini-tour, I thought from the very beginning, that this was quite unbelievable. I saw Katatonia a couple of years ago, and was really disappointed, for then I realised that they played stuff from their new albums only, except that Viva Emptiness was not out yet….or even written. That time the concert was finished by Murder. Unfortunately, the scenario did not change much, so it happened here, in Moscow: no songs from the early times. But well, by no means can I say that the concert was a flop. The new Katatonia creations found its audience, and it was there, at that concert. People jumped, screamed that they wanted more, whistled in respect and admiration, and sang along with the favourite songs from Discouraged Ones, Last Fair Deal Gone Down and Viva Emptiness.
More than an hour passed before Katatonia left the stage. People crying out their favourite band’s name were quite surprised to see Forest Stream again. At first there was an air of misunderstanding of what was happening around, but it seemed that eventually people realised there is nothing they could do to make Katatonia come back, thus they enjoyed (you could tell that by the audience reactions) two more cover version for Katatonia’s songs performed by Forest Stream: Nowhere, which had never ever been played live before, and Without God.
Unfortunately, most of the “connoisseurs” of Katatonia’s past did not recognise Nowhere-- shame on them! Without God had already been played by FS before. Nothing showed that anything unusual would happen, but wait a minute: Blakkheim and Jonas returned to the stage and sang the last chorus with Sonm. Quite a surprise, I must say.
Well, with that done, you could call it a day. People started taking off towards the exit, the bands—packing their stuff. In general, good show, well done. But somehow, once again, as a fan of Brave Murder Day and other older albums, I felt tricked and unsatisfied. But then again, we cannot revert to the good old times. So let it be.
