On December 3rd, 2023, American industrial metal veterans FEAR FACTORY stormed the German capital with BUTCHER BABIES, IGNEA, and GHOST OF ATLANTIS as supporting acts at Columbia Theater in Berlin.
The opening act, GHOST OF ATLANTIS from Ipswich, UK, played to a decent crowd when they took the stage. Their music, a blend of melodic death metal with well-crafted songs and orchestral elements, was complemented by Atlantis-themed lyrics. While the sound was impressive, the lighting was disappointing, drowning the band in purple backlights. Vocalist Pip, however, looked and sounded menacing, and the band’s worn-out attire and post-apocalyptic makeup added an interesting visual element. Despite a short set, they left a very positive impression.
IGNEA, hailing from Ukraine, brought a mix of melodic metal with influences ranging from symphonic to ethereal Eastern motives. Their energetic performance, marked by smiles from all the musicians, captivated the audience. Singer Helle Bohdanova spoke German, earning some sympathy points, and her blend of deep growls and melodic cleans was beautiful. The keytar solos were astonishing, though the monochrome red lights were a downside.
BUTCHER BABIES, always a live treat, faced the absence of Carla Harvey due to health issues. However, Heidi Shepard covered both roles admirably. Opening with “Backstreets of Tennessee,” Heidi‘s dynamic performance, including high kicks and splits while singing, was mind-blowing. They showcased tracks from the new album “…Till the World’s Blind” mixed with all-time favorites. Heidi engaged the crowd, even choosing a moshpit master named Ricardo for “King Pin.” The energy never waned, and Heidi‘s jump over the photo pit barrier into the crowd added a memorable touch. They closed with “Magnolia Blvd.”
FEAR FACTORY took the stage next, with a heated-up crowd. Pete Webber on drums and Javier Arriaga on bass joined new vocalist Milo Silvestro alongside longstanding member Dino Cazares. Opening with the classic “Shock” and “Edgecrusher” from the cult album “Obsolete,” Milo impressed by seamlessly filling big shoes. He vibed with the band’s harsh sound, jumping off the stage to engage with the crowd. Cazares and Arriaga, despite delivering some nasty riffs, looked happy and in good spirits. Collaborations with Heidi and Helle on “Martyr” and “Slave Labor” added a nice touch. They closed with “Resurrection,” crafting a setlist from their extensive discography that satisfied fan expectations.
GHOST OF ATLANTIS
IGNEA
BUTCHER BABIES
FEAR FACTORY
Photos by Alexandra Aim
