Whether they've heard of the bands or not, there's an undeniable sense that Hymns to the Dead always delivers.
Photos & review by James Gough
Night one in Hobart kicks off with the infamous Hymns to the Dead, featuring Zurrikee, Haunter, and Norway’s Dødheimsgard.
Embarking on a fearless sonic odyssey, Dødheimsgard (DHG) emerged from the depths of Norway's musical landscape in 1994, leaving an indelible mark on the world of extreme metal. Initially harnessing the raw power of black metal, their metamorphosis into avant-garde experimentalists took center stage with their groundbreaking opus, 666 International, in 1999. With a bold departure from convention, DHG reshaped the boundaries of the genre, embracing an industrial-infused soundscape that continues to reverberate through the annals of musical history
Just like last year, I've already had the chance to speak with people from all over the country—some who've been coming for years and others making their first trip to Dark Mofo.
There's a unique energy that surrounds these shows, and it's evident that many people travel from far and wide to be here. Whether they've heard of the bands or not, there's an undeniable sense that Hymns to the Dead always delivers.
Kicking off the night is Texas-based Haunter. Although there were some initial technical issues, the sound down in front was quite muddy. However, as the set progressed, it seemed to improve, reaching absolute perfection by the fourth track. Haunter unleashed a bludgeoning wall of pure death metal to set the tone for the evening. This is how you kick off a show titled Hymns to the Dead.
Describing the next set is a bit challenging. Tonight caught me off guard in the best possible way. Five ominous figures took the stage, cloaked with straw hats. I expected to be pummeled by more blasts and tremolo riffs, but instead, I was drawn into an intimate balance between riffs and shoegaze as Zuriaake's long songs hypnotized everyone into a dreamlike trance. The figures standing on stage mesmerized the audience. The only downside is that this is the only show they'll be playing in Australia.
Now, let me introduce you to Dødheimsgard. This band boasts one of the most entertaining frontmen you'll ever see, and I don't say this lightly. Vicotnik storms around the stage, exuding equal parts charisma and insanity. DHG seamlessly shifts between all-out assault and jazz interludes, creating a genre-bending, mind-melting extravaganza. They break the norms of doom and gloom with vibrant splashes of color, bringing their set to life. If anyone had a camera on me, they would have captured nothing but the cheesiest grin from ear to ear.
Tonight was one of those instances where I walked in knowing very little about each band and left with memories of some of the most unique and mind-blowing performances I've witnessed in my life, across any style of music.
Dark Mofo continues to push the boundaries by bringing out some of the most incredible bands in the world. Navigating the black metal genre can be a minefield of negativity, but tonight, somewhere amidst the relentless blast beats, there was hope, life, and happiness.
As the packed Odeon Theatre empties into the winter night, it's clear that everyone left incredibly satisfied.
