By Jase Walker
So, to preface this, I found Thy Catafalque because the name sounded proggy. I don’t think there’s any shame in that but at least when I asked my friends if anyone was into them I got a pretty solid response back! So off I go to Rotterdam and Baroeg for a night of some fancy pants metal.
Immediately after walking into the venue I feel very much at home, as it reminds me very strongly of Rebellion in Manchester, that rough and ready but enduring venue that’s seen all manner of bands come through over the years. They definitely let you know about it as well with all of the Baroeg Open Air and Submit Fest posters on the wall and ceiling, featuring a fair amount of bands I love. Definitely my sort of vibe here.
Anyway tonight is Thy Catafalque supported by The Answer Lies In The Black Void, whom I will refer to from now on as just The Answer (not that they could be confused with the Northern Ireland rockers of that name – Ed). This is going to be an interesting one that is perhaps a bit out of my comfort zone but gotta have your variety eh?
I’m not really super keen on doom metal admittedly, I prefer my song pace to be quite a fair bit faster but always happy to see bands that challenge that. The already half full venue is pretty transfixed on The Answer right from the start, the fuzzy guitars clashing with the haunting and ethereal vocals while the drums relentlessly lumber along. This group is doing a great job of building a smothering atmosphere that envelopes you like a warm blanket (could just be the venue being full of sweaty greebs though).
There’s definitely some strong shoegaze vibes here as well as the vocals work as a melodic layering method that’s interwoven through the stoney guitars. On the whole it’s not something I would go out of my way to specifically listen to but this set has been a real journey so far.
Doom on the whole is just a bit too slow for someone like myself who appreciates a good riff but something does need to be set for a fantastic live experience and The Answer have presented everything you would really expect from a great set. It sounded great, it was engaging and being able to get lost in the music in the way I have listening to this set is a quality that is often hard to find. I would liken these a lot to say, AA Williams, or maybe Chelsea Wolf, although possibly a bit heavy thanks to the big old 8-string guitar. Lumbering, inexorably slow riffs, soaring vocals that were a true joy to listen to, my only critique was that I wish the drums were just a tad stronger to add some extra punch. They did switch up the formula a few times with some smash cuts to straight up black metal though as well, a great set to get things started.
The line checking prior to Thy Catafalque taking the stage was definitely some of the more unusual stuff between the discordant organ playing and… blood curdling screams. Anyway the stage darkens and more creepy music books from the speakers as the band walks on to rapturous applause. Looking at their info prior to the show clearly has no shortage of live members so I do wonder what’ll happen through the set, but before I have time to think too hard about it, it’s blast beats and discordant wailing guitar mashed together with grooves. It’s not long before we have more vocalists on stage and I could have sworn it’s the next song but feels more like a continuation – but that’s just how avant-garde rolls isn’t it? The original guy has been swapped for two ladies that are unbelievably good at harmonizing with each other and reminds me a bit of the sort of tension you get in Bulgarian choirs (If you’ve not heard that stuff then get on YouTube, I urge you).
The sound they’ve had is quite difficult to pin down actually, at one point they sounded very along the lines of Devin Townsend or Strapping Young Lad but with the swap of vocalists it’s sounding suddenly like a more folky version of Within Temptation. The sound balance is bloody fantastic as well, strong but not deafening considering the size of the room and the clarity is great to match. We’ve got even more vocalists joining the stage, that’s four different ones now? Now there’s three on stage doing harmonies between unclean vocals?? Definitely one of the more unique bands I’ve seen… oh wait now there’s four vocalists on stage at the same time, they’re multiplying now! Thy Catafalque’s live show so far is absolutely not what I was expecting, in the best way of course.
There’s so so many different little influences all through their music, all the way from folk and classical music styles from Hungary and Eastern Europe, a the way to modern metal and a smattering of subgenres. It’s like not only do they have a revolving door policy of live singers but genres too, I’ve had more whiplash of song styles than I have listening to my own playlists. Avant-garde I think is probably the most appropriate label for Thy Catafalque; they’ve definitely got a consistent vibe to their show but every single song eschews whatever they’ve just played in favour of a different approach and it’s quite an experience almost playing a game of “guess who?” for whatever is coming next. There’s even some cello as well, starting solo before the other singers join the stage for a sombre song in unison. This set really has been quite a ride; I’m a real sucker for classic instruments being used in metal.
Overall this has been another fantastic show in “sunny” Netherlands, it’s been great to finally have a reason to come to Rotterdam for a show and experience a new venue that I most definitely will be returning to a lot over the coming months. Great bands, great sets, great venue, good night.
- Photograph courtesy of Future Cult PR.
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