LIVE REVIEW: Mesuggah and The Haunted are the heroes of dark metal delight in Belfast

NEVER mind djaent or melodic death or whatever - when Meshuggah and The Haunted played Belfast it was simply about the metal - and what a night off metal it was for aficionados: power, precision and dark entertainment.

This was an exemplary showcase of Swedish metal might presented by The Distortion Project that packed out the Limelight and left those emerging into the January night (Tuesday 17th) with a sense of having borne witness to something special.

The Haunted were making a long overdue return to Belfast and vocalist Marco Aro was immediately urging the gradually filling venue to come forward.

Despite a restricted stage space they were clearly enjoying the opportunity on stage with Ola Englund's lead work impressive to the foil of Jonas Björler (bass) and Patrick Jensen's rhythm guitar, while Adrian Erlandsson was impressive behind the kit, despite the occasional teasing from Marco.

'The Guilt Trip' and 'Bury Your Dead' were highlights of a tight set, but it was 'Hate Song' that drew the most acclaim at the end of the set. The Haunted have presence and a perception that they are there both to entertain and enjoy themselves while on stage.

Preparations for Meshuggah's début Belfast show held much promise for the show, and within moments of the band appearing it was clear that this was a special presentation with a, literally at times, startling light show.

As part of the tour backing 'Violent Sleep of Reason' this was a set that you would expect from such extreme musicians as Meshuggah - little banter, band members shadows for large segments outside the first few rows and a level of technicality few can match or dare to try.

Jens Kidman was almost a dark shade of intensity as they kicked into high gear from the off with 'Clockworks' and an unwritten assurance that this was to be a special night of metal terror.

Meshuggah can never be accused of being accessible, but for those in 'the know' the familiarity of the tracks was only matched by the expected excellence of Frederick Thorendal, Tomas Haake, Mårten Hagström and Dick Lövgren.

To describe the set as tight is an under-estimate of what was laid out before the audience. 'Perpetual Black Second' or 'Nosrtum' could be picked out among any of the tracks.

The sweeping beams of lights from the bottom of the stage, the occasional spotlighted band member, the backdrop and Tomas' impressive kit were an invitation to an immersive experience, where the extremities of human existence were thrust forward to contemplate, while screaming in adulation.

The closing duo of 'Dancers To A Discordant System' and 'Bleed' rounded off an evening that showed that metal, no matter what other term you wish to affix to it, has a power that reaches the inner, elemental core of meaning and also leave you delighted and exhausted.

Review by Jonathan Traynor
Photographs by Darren McVeigh of MetalplanetBelfast

ALBUM REVIEW: Meshugga challenge listeners (again!) on The Violent Sleep of Reason

WHEN it comes to progressive metal many of the casual fans of metal jump straight to Dream Theatre. And, there is nothing wrong with that. But if you want to delve deeper; to coin a phrase to jump down the rabbit hole then the default band to go to is Meshuggah.

For the past 30 years they have pushed the boundaries with a level of complexity that startle and confound in equal measure. They also release albums that can sometimes take the listener half a dozen or more play throughs before the seemingly impenetrable becomes clear.

New release 'The Violent Sleep of Reason' is no different, except it is perhaps Meshuggah's best release for some years with an almost organic sound, compared to some of the more 'sterile' digital aural tracks that have come before.

It sounds like a proper studio album, rather than something over-engineered and full of post-production.

'Violent Sleep of Reason' is a challenging vision of extreme metal. From the opener 'Clockworks' - which clocks in at more than seven minutes - they do not put a foot wrong.

Lyrically they take on deep issues, such as on the title track, based on of all things a Goya painting, and reflects on what can happen society turns a blind eye to what is going on. The painting is called 'The Sleep of Reason Brings Forth Monsters' so you can guess this ain't no "boy meets girl" shit.

While Jens' voice has the same sort of intensity you would expect from any Meshuggah release, and Tomas and Dick shift paces and rhythm signatures continuously, especially on the likes of 'Nostrum'.

Indeed 'Nostrum' highlights all the strong points that can be found elsewhere on the release. Shifting times, atonal guitar married with rip-roaring riffing from Martin and Frederick are stars throughout.

This is a release heavy in intent and heavy in concept, musically and lyrically. And, some of the material is definitely a sound that will resonate, something that may be because the band took more time to rehearse the tracks before going into the studio.

Thomas explained some of what they wanted.

"It’s old school; the methodology is similar to what metal bands were doing in the ‘80s and 90s," he said. "And that vibrancy comes out; it’s a very audible difference, sloppier if you will, but at the same time it brings an energy that I personally feel was lacking over the last few albums. They were too perfect - this is less perfect, but in that sense, more alive.”

Whether intentional or not, this makes the album 'swing'. In between all the intense shifts, roars and movements this feels alive and potent. The guitar sounds are not identikit extreme, nor are they predictable.

While many may disagree it could be that Meshuggah have perhaps managed to release their best album to date. As 'Violent Sleep of Reason' concludes with the wonderful 'Into Decay' you feel washed of the sins of complacency, the strife of everyday first world worries...and then you hit the button to listen to it all again.

'Violent Sleep of Reason' is released this week on Nuclear Blast.
Meshuggah play Belfast's Limelight1 on 17th January.

Review by Jonny

COMIN' ATCHA: Meshuggah set for first Belfast show in January 2017

THEY are one of the defining extreme metal acts of the past number of decades, plying complex stylistic, almost avant garde metal. They are Meshuggah and they are coming to Belfast.

The Swedish maestros will play the city for the first time on Tuesday, January 17th in the Limelight1 in a promotion by The Distortion Project.

Jens Kidman and crew have broken more ground than a jackhammer on speed; always experimenting, always seeking new interpretations of metal.

And now they're Belfast bound y'all will need to polish up on how far you can down tune and work out just where that drum line is going apart from shaking your spine into a new shape.

Tickets, £22 + booking fee, are on sale this Friday.