Unexpect are a difficult band to describe to most people and yet whenever they are making an appearance in our fair Metropolis I am going to try to be there. This time around they were one of the supporting acts for the great Finnish Power Metal providers of Sonata Arctica and that show was documented in full on THIS LINK. Now please enjoy the photos that go along with the Unexpect part of the story.
Continue reading Unexpect: Live Photos @ B.B. King Blues Club (9/30/2007)
Virgin Black is one of the more difficult to catch onto groups in the Metal world. There is a little bit of Opera, a little bit of Classical Symphony and a whole lot of Gothic Metal all twisted around into one unique project. I liked their album enough to come to see them, and appreciated that Unexpect was going to be the opener so if you want to read some more about this gig just scroll past the logo below to be brought to our thoughts.
Artist: Virgin Black
Venue: Lit Lounge (New York, NY)
Opener: Unexpect
Date: 6/11/2007
Label: The End Records
When I say that this gig came faster than the taxman then you must believe me. I had only just finished enjoying the newest release by Virgin Black on The End Records (an interesting CD entitled “Requiem: Mezzo Forte”) and suddenly, like a bolt of lightning there was a New York gig scheduled. The performance would be held at The Lit Lounge, a club I had yet to visit, and would also be on a Monday night. This fact alone presented a problem based on work demands so it would definitely be one of those last minute decisions for me. I have to admit that my mind was made up when I learned that opening for the band tonight would be the one and only uneXpect from Montreal. The uneXpect had tried to return to the States a little over a year ago but were stopped at the gates for some odd reason. As I walked into the Lit Lounge, I found the upstairs to be a rather sizable bar but the bands were going to be playing in the clubs basement area – so down I went into the abyss. The downstairs area is quite small and confined but there is a spot to set up equipment and places to congregate should you have a very minimal crowd attending. There is a bar in the back and a spot for merchandise to be sold as well as an area where the bands can prep and ready themselves to perform. The stage size is small by regular standards but with a trio this would work.
Continue reading Virgin Black & Unexpect @ Lit Lounge (6/11/2007)
Artist: Unexpect
Title: “In A Flesh Aquarium”
Label: The End Records
Release Date: 8/29/2006
Genre: Progressive, Gothic, Extreme Metal
Rating: 4/5
The band Unexpect is a unit of musicians that truly defy as many of the conventions possible when it comes to the thoughts of what genres can successfully work together. The seven member group performs an eclectic brand of Extreme Metal that includes, and is not limited to elements of Gothic, Progressive, Black Metal and even some Spoken Word pieces. The whole thing comes off like Dimmu Borgir meets Frank Zappa, on a visit to Broadway – and while I am sure that this sounds like a mess to you, it is anything but that and instead a truly complex and “out there” piece of music. The angelic voice of Leilindel is countered by the demonic growls of guitarist Syriak. The other members of the band are Artagoth (guitar/vocals), Exod (keyboard/sampling), Chaoth (9 string bass), le bateleur (violin) and Landryx (drums). I was fortunate enough to catch the group performing live when they opened for the Gathering on that bands visit to the States and I remember watching in jaw-dropped awe as to what was happening on stage. Not only does the band manage to do this stuff in the live sense with ease but Leilindel also acts as the bands Enchantress as she adds the beauty of dance to the live show as well. Having enjoyed the piece as a whole I found no particularly favorable track over any others.
Continue reading “In A Flesh Aquarium” by Unexpect
Artist: The Gathering
Venue: Knitting Factory (New York, NY)
Opener: Giant Squid, Unexpect
Date: 3/21/2006
Label: The End Records
The Gathering is a band that was the original inspiration behind the whole Gothic Rock & Metal scene many years ago. Sadly a lot of you just read that line and mumbled “who’s The Gathering?”. Well, sometimes the case becomes that the people influenced are far more successful than those that do the influencing in the first place. Bands like Lacuna Coil and Evanescence, who both enjoy considerable levels of acclaim Stateside are actually among the first names to come up when people think of Gothic Rock music. In this region The Gathering instead enjoy a quieter level of success appealing to only those who were turned on to them by a Friend or are up to date musically and know what comes from where. Tonight at the Knitting Factory in New York City, the band would be making what seemed to be their first appearance ever in the City and this venue while a comfortable one is hardly the size that you expect to find a band with such a level of influence to perform in. Holding only a couple of hundred people the place was not packed to the point of discomfort but I have to say that no one in the place was unaware of this band. Everyone in attendance would be a person who had a good background in the music to be performed this evening.
Continue reading The Gathering @ The Knitting Factory (3/21/2006)
