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VNV Nation
Icon of Coil
Glis
@ The CatWalk, Seattle, WA. 12/8
~reviewed by BlackOrpheus
(photos by Jessica
Dana)
The night started out like so many others
in Seattle. There was a light drizzle, but it didn't seem to dampen
the spirits of early ticket buyers and their tardy, but hopeful peers.
Doors opened at 9pm, and I was swept in
on the black clad crest of eager show goers. I mixed and mingled for an
hour, availing myself of the bars ample offerings. It must have been a
poor club night elsewhere as this seemed to be the citys largest draw on
this night.
Local band Glis opened, and played a capable,
though not particularly inspiring set. Glis possesses technical skill undoubtedly,
but it lacks what VNV, and Icon had in spades: a stage "show." I'd like
to see this promising band, make more of an effort to develop rapport with
the audience. This could be accomplished a few different ways, the most
immediate thing I thought of was to move around the stage more. They were
more stationary by comparison with the acts that followed them. A very
few bands can connect with the audience by virtue of the music alone. The
passion and excitement generated on stage, is directly proportional to
the audience response. Glis has a real asset in An'drea, whose vocals and
presence hold the promise of better shows to come.
Icon of Coil. I own "Serenity Is The Devil."
I'm chagrined to reveal that it was an album that I hadn't really connected
with and I'm at a loss to explain why. That is...until they took
the stage. Andy LaPlegua is a gifted and charismatic showman, and his enthusiasm
was communicated successfully to a crowd that grew ever more responsive
with each successive song. They ran through most of the track listing on
"Serenity Is The Devil" with standouts like Shallow Nation and Floorkiller.
I might add that I was fortunate enough to meet LaPlegua and Sebastian
Komor and found them to be very friendly and down to earth. As I listen
to "Serenity Is The Devil" now, I have one final piece to add: if you like
well crafted, infectious industrial dance tunes, go and buy this. It's
excellent.
I had the pleasure of seeing VNV Nation
about a year or so ago for the first time. That show was a benchmark for
me at the time. This latest show was no exception. The set was by turns
energetic and thought-emotion provoking. VNV Nation is fortunate in its
ability to trek through the shadows that blanket the psyche, and return
again to report on them. More than that, they can still find heart enough
to fiddle while Rome burns and inspire the audience to listen AND dance
with them. There are few bands in the genre that can tackle the subjects
they do, while maintaining audience rapport. My favorite song of the evening
was "Carbon," a song I've been as yet unable to place. It was as sobering
as it was stirring. The lights came down, and there was the music
and the voice. But what a voice! It was as though it expressed in proxy
the very lament, the pain of this very planet we call home. The verses
were punctuated with the projection of facts and statistics on air quality,
etc. behind Ronan. My attention was held on a mental and emotional level,
and the connection between artist and listener was complete. It was one
of the most striking moments I've ever xperienced at a show. The
show was not sparing with the dance singles everyone expected, but this
moment did it for me. If you aren't familiar with VNV Nation, they come
with my strong recommendation.
VNV Nation:
http://www.nation.demon.co.uk/
Glis: Glisonline.com
Icon of Coil: iconofcoil.com
Metropolis
http://www.metropolis-records.com/
1/05/02 |