On the evening of December 9th, 2023, we once again visited the legendary Bambi Galore in Hamburg for a night of international black metal. The show, headlined by THE SPIRIT and supported by DÖDSRIT and OUTLAW, saw a sold-out venue filled with a loud crowd.
The evening kicked off with OUTLAW, originally from Brazil and now based in Hamburg, Germany. With their recent release, “Reaching Beyond Assiah,” in 2023, what stands out the most about OUTLAW is their fast-paced, tuneful riffing work that builds up energetic and catchy tracks with an epic touch. The music was well complemented by an atmospheric curtain of fog and aggressive red lights that matched the speed of the music.
Next in line were the quintet from The Netherlands, DÖDSRIT. It seems as if these guys have been on everyone’s lips for the better part of 2023, and we can attest that it’s for good reasons. DÖDSRIT amplifies all the positive characteristics of the more atmospheric approach to black metal. Their dynamic style is crowned by melancholic melodies that transform into piercing distorted riffs, accompanied by poignant vocals, making their performance truly thrilling. They kept the spectators engaged and were rewarded with a roaring crowd throughout their set.
Finally, the time for the headliner and our personal highlight had come. THE SPIRIT took the stage to a cheering crowd that had been eagerly awaiting them and loudly demanding their presence on stage. Very fitting to the weather in Hamburg that evening, and unintentionally by the band, what characterizes them most is the ice-cold sound of their compositions. Far from paralyzing the spectator/listener, it energizes and invigorates the body and mind. This is the second time we’ve seen them live, and it’s safe to say that the quality of their performance just keeps on growing. In our last report, we mentioned the introspective nature of the literary part of their music and praised its self-reflective quality. While it may feel nihilistic at times, it still carries a cathartic property that enhances THE SPIRIT‘s live performances. Their latest album, “Of Clarity and Galactic Structures,” was released in 2022 via AOP Records, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for them. Check our photo gallery of OUTLAW, DÖDSRIT, and THE SPIRIT below…
Outlaw
Dödsrit
The Spirit
Article and photos by Michelle R.
