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Live Report In Flames - Gojira - Sonic Syndicate

Artistes : In Flames - Gojira - Sonic Syndicate Ville : Lyon (France) Lieu : Transbordeur Date : 11-10-2008 Public : 1 500 people, sold-out. In Flames, Gojira and Sonic Syndicate : what a great bill, ladies and gentlemen ! Each band respectively presented us live "A Sense Of Purpose", "The Way Of All Flesh" and "Love And Other Disasters", their latest albums released this year. Last Wednesday, in Paris, the show was very good. Therefore, everybody in Lyon expected the same. But unfortunately, there has been some highs and lows : check out our live report… "Pinball Map" : one of In Flame’s hits ! Average show from Sonic Syndicate First surprise : the show’s on time, which is appreciated from the crowd who arrived at the venue very early, at 6 pm, when the doors opened. At 7 pm, Sonic Syndicate hits the Transbordeur’s stage : the band’s show is powerful but not captivating. The Sonic Syndicate’s guys are quite handsome ! It’s been said before : Sonic Syndicate’s look differs from the other two bands on the bill ; it is similar to the « new metal generation’s » one (like Bullet For My Valentine). But it doesn’t matter : they sound good, and they get a good response from the audience. Moreover, it is undeniable that the first rows sing along the band because Sonic Syndicate’s hits are played (the very good “Jack Of Diamonds” from "Love And Other Disasters" on top of the list). Even is the band’s members move a lot on stage, the show is classic and in the end a bit clinical : their music has been done to death, and tedium is very close… This “already heard” feeling comes from Roland Johansson and Richard Sjunnesson’s vocals : clear voice for the former, and screaming one for the latter. Both guys constantly answer each other, which becomes quickly boring. Besides, Sonic Syndicate is composed of six members (two singers, two guitarists, a bassist and a drummer !). As said before, they’re powerful, but nonetheless ordinary. This band lacks of the « touch of craziness » which makes the difference between bands that deliver the goods and those who must work to do it. To be numerous on stage doesn’t mean that you’ll be good : Slipknot illustrates this, but Dillinger Escape Plan is the opposite, for example. Sonic Syndicate played 25 minutes and received a good response from the audience. However, the gig was basic and lacked of one essential thing that Gojira will give us : the soul… Gojira live : impressing ! "The Way Of All Flesh", Gojira’s latest album, was released this week. It is therefore no surprise that their show begins with “Ororburos”, which opens the album. The keyboard layer which serves as an introduction to the band has maybe put the crowd to sleep, instead of electrifying it, because the audience is particularly asleep during the beginning of the show. First reason : many In Flame’s fans are present, and they probably not share the same love for Gojira’s music. Second reason : for the Gojira fans, tonight’s show is more of a discovery of the album, as they maybe didn’t have the time to listen to it very closely. Nevertheless, when Joe asks the crowd : « How many of you guys bought the new album ? », many hands are risen in the air ! Jean Michel : top class ! The atmosphere grows in intensity when the band plays its old stuff. "Clone" and its blast lits the place up : the show’s kicked off ! Classics like "Backbones", "Flying Wales" follow on from each other and mix with new tunes like "Toxic Garbage Island" and its monster riff ! Guitars, bass and drums are everywhere : syncopated and heavy rhythm parts take hold of the venue ! The audience sees a great Gojira ! The band presents the new single of the album, "Vacuity" : a very heavy tune with an exploding break. The audience is hot now and responses well. Mario : one of the best drummers in the world ? Mario, as usual, links every song to the previous with nice drums interludes, that have a very « tribal touch ». Unfortunately, as an opening act, the band has only 45 minutes to convince, but the audience is just thrilled as they know that Gojira will come back in February 2009 as an headliner this time ! To end the show, as usual, the band plays "The Heaviest Matter Of The Universe" and greets the audience before leaving the stage for in Flames. In Flames live ! In Flames or Göteborg’s breakaway group. Yes, how can one explain the band’s incredible success these last years, leaving behind them their fellow men’s pack ? We can’t decently say that they stand out just because of their superior talent…Here’s a working-class explanation : a dreadlocked frontman, moving himself and head banging with an introverted gesture, isn’t that familiar to you ? The cub scouts, well, they know what it is. A familiar posture, deified for 15 years by The Untouchable… Yes, we are talking about Korn’s charismatic leader, Jonathan Davis. It is a visual system of reference which works, especially in Uncle Sam’s country. Generally speaking, a band’s image is nowadays essential to its success : it is a fact. In Flames (like Korn before), has understood it very well. It is on this point that the band managed to stand out from the others. But the comparison with the Bakersfield corn stops here. It is “cool”, today, to say that In Flames have sold their souls to - Vade Retro Satanas ! – New Metal. That’s nonsense. Despite its more “modern side”, the band’s always one of the “prestige brands”, within a small elite, of a typical Swedish product that’s a bit “fashion” and that we buy, sometimes without paying attention. Then, everyone chooses what he likes : Nike, Rebook or ADIDAS? In Flames, Dark Tranquillity or Soilwork ? You decide, but it is undeniable that In Flames has become something inevitable, like your statement of income… Inevitable, like this huge and opaque curtain which masks the Transbordeur’s stage. The pit’s full (the gig’s sold out) of teenagers who wonder why is this thing here. Then, the first notes of “The Chosen Pessimist” are played and one by one, projected on the curtain, appear the ghostly shadows of every member. A lament breaks the silence. The atmosphere is both intimist and surrealistic. It is a breathtaking moment, and the audience enjoys with delight this great opening. By the way, you need guts to start a show with this atmospheric and much debated tune from their latest release, “A Sense of Purpose”. A few minutes later, the curtain falls suddenly and voluptuously, unveiling the band members for a subtle end. the great Anders Friden ! Unfortunately, with the curtain’s fall, the band’s show falls too into depths of monotony and mediocrity. It is called the “back to reality” syndrome, as a frustrating feeling of stillness attacks you. Only Anders Friden moves give life to a desperately static performance. It’s not the wall of flashing disco lights, unveiled after three songs when the backdrop fell, that will change anything. What will be remembered is a sort of karaoke that allowed the audience to help a singer lost in the mix. And what about this abandoned platform, above the drum kit ? Two or three times only, a musician will be surprised walking shyly on it, like an expedition. Don’t get me wrong, it is not to do more, but only to make the investment profitable or to give himself peace of mind. So, as there is nothing else to see, you just listen, without necessarily being a fan. It’s like home : everything is in order, tied up and at its place. Little by little, the band weaves its fabrics made of the same pattern. Facing the routine, you dream of holidays… and remember the intense and fantastic Gojira show. Then you just think, even if wasn’t heaven, that the Sonic Syndicate kids also delivered on stage. You want my picture ? Then an incident occurs and the audience doesn’t know during a long moment what is happening. The answer comes : In Flames stopped the show, because a young girl fainted. It is such a rare attitude that we must notice it. Nevertheless, the crowd could have been informed of what was going on. The show continues, like before. However, Anders Friden’s joke about what was in a kid’s bag was a cool moment. Only some tunes wake up the audience : a nice “Pinball Map” or an awaited “Cloud Connected” stand out from the set, like the final, composed of “« The Quiet Place », « Trigger » and « Take This Life ». Three hits that make the audience understand why they are here… too late, my friend. These last years, here’s the recipe for an In Flame’s album : ¼ of hits and ¾ of filling up. So tonight’s show should have been a good best of, but no, they put the emphasis on the insipid “A Sense of Purpose”, at the expense of « Only For The Weak », « Jotun » or « Swim ». The old fans let a tear roll down their faces as « Dead God In Me » and « The Jester Race » are played : two songs from forgotten times, but which still mean a lot to us. No encores to save a clumsy and long set list. It doesn’t matter anyway : the audience is leaving the hall… In Flames : a disappointing performance Live Report In Flames : Spaceman Live Report Gojira : Claude Live Report Sonic Syndicate : Doc'

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