The temperature was almost in the single digits last Saturday evening when Dark Tranquility brought their Moment tour to Detroit’s northern suburbs. The poorly plowed roads and the negative degree wind chill did not deter Michigan metalheads from witnessing the trailblazers of Gothenburg’s Melodic Death Metal Scene. Everyone briskly trotted into Pontiac’s acclaimed music hall to catch the two opening acts of the evening. Nailed to Obscurity and Kataklysm were invited along on this tour which made for a deliciously stacked bill. Built in 1830, the Crofoot building is a historic phenomenon and local treasure. The large building contains three venues in one and is known for catering to heavier bands. This prized entertainment complex was a fair choice for a night of big, blistering, music.
The night took off with the opening act, Nailed to Obscurity. This German outfit effortlessly brought on a feeling of foreboding and forlorn fury. There was an instant heartfelt depth to their roar that rumbled with a rare kind of power. As the low-tuned guitars began to blare, the aroused audience drew closer to the stage. Frontman Raimund Ennenga‘s clean vocals swept over the room like a gentle caress that held promises of captivation while his growls were detonated with a weighted indignation. A highlight in their set was the title track off their 2019 album Black Frost (Nuclear Blast Records) because it held an enticing eeriness that flirted with some dramatic Black Metal influences. The spectators got lost in the craft of guitarists Volker Dieken and Jan-Ole Lamberti as they dueled with catchy harmonies and hooks. They provided a detailed and delicate, yet dense dirge of sound that enveloped every listener. This is the first time this quintet has been to the USA and their gracious demeanor and genuine enthusiasm reflected how happy they were to be here.
Originally hailing from Canada, Kataklysm is an act that has consistently delivered strikingly aggressive music for decades and it has solidified their spot at the Death Metal table. Their massive sound shook the room as they thundered into their opening number. Strobe lights danced like a wave of rage and rowdiness that washed over everyone. Their punchy, hard-hitting style is every headbanger’s paradise. These seasoned musicians play with a finesse that keeps things cohesively crunchy and chaotic. Frontman Maurizio Iacono knew how to get the audience riled up with his sure swagger and no-nonsense attitude. When he declared the band’s belief in choice and freedom the crowd cheered with approval. There is an accelerated anger in Iacono’s blunt, articulate, and booming growls. Each piece they played shifted with their marvelously manic, grisly, and furious themes. Blast beats and breakdowns reigned as a few kids responded by starting a mosh pit in the humble-sized venue. They presented several songs off their latest record Unconquered (Nuclear Blast Records) with ‘Focused to Destroy You’ and ‘The Killshot’ being fan favorites. There was love and fire put into each piece that warmed everyone up.
The onlookers grew antsy and shifted from foot to foot as the final band of the evening got ready. When the lights dimmed, a clamor clanged from the crowd as Dark Tranquility took the stage. The gothic group jumped right into their set with demanding riffs ripping and double bass drums thundering. The band was more than ready to share material from their latest album, Moment (Century Media) which they released in late 2020. This tour is the first time they have been able to play it, so they were frothing a little bit at the mouth eager to share their songs. The bright disposition of frontman Mikael Stanne was contagious and gratifying to witness. He clearly loves what he does, and his smile exuded a wealth of charm and cheer for the privilege of sharing his gift. Stanne was in a chatty mood and shared that he played guitar on the band’s very first album. He took a trip down memory lane and mentioned that he wrote the next three albums along with Fredrik Johansson who sadly passed away recently. In honor of the former band member, the group played one of his songs ‘Punish My Heaven’. The pint-sized room couldn’t complement the band’s normal level of light and media production, but they still lit up the music hall with their own charisma and magic. The diverse setlist was well-received as viewers squirmed with excitement as the Swedes banged out a lot of older material including ‘Monochromatic Skies’ and ‘Lost of Apathy’. The proficiency and aptitude of each member beamed as they crushed with competency. The comradery and warmth between the members was visible when beefcake guitarist Johan Reinholdz mouthed along the lyrics to each song. Stanne’s screams snarled like a dangerous canine while his cleans would soothe and soften. Emotion was whirling about as the band moved from their more extreme pieces like ‘Focus shift’ to their atmospheric pieces like ‘State of Trust’. There were moments for lighters to be lifted and moments for a mosh pit to break out. The crowd clearly became enraptured by their striking energy and were vocal with their requests and adoration. DT is a band that evidently delights in making music and sharing it with their fans. This group has faithfully carried and waved the banner of Melodic Death Metal for nearly thirty years with no signs of slowing down. As they wrapped up the last number of the evening, Stanne confidently declared they would be back very soon. Everyone left with a smile on their face because they knew he was telling the truth.
Buy tickets to this tour and DT music here: http://www.darktranquillity.com/
WORDS AND PHOTOS BY RAGIN ROSIE