Intense Metal, Moshing and Melody:  Dark Tranquillity, Kataklysm and Nailed to Oblivion’s Wonderous Performance at Chain Reaction

February 19th, 2022

            For the past 30 years, Sweden’s Dark Tranquillity, alongside In Flames and At the Gates, took the sonic world and it’s inhabitants by storm, creating what’s known as Melodic Death Metal, and “The Gothenburg Sound.”  Swift fast-picking melodic riffs, varied and driven vocals of all sorts, enchanting, delicate, and often blitzing harmonies and leads, to even keyboards/piano/electronics, it’s no wonder that “The Big 3” have had a massive influence for countless number of bands.  This 2022 tour would bring forth Dark Tranquillity, alongside the Northern Hyperblasters themselves, Kataklysm, and for their first US tour, Germany’s Melodic Death/Doom Metal group, Nailed to Obscurity.  From variety in all sorts, this was to be a live Metal show, one wouldn’t forget.

            Tonight’s festivities took place at the famous Chain Reaction venue, in Anaheim.  I was thankful that their campaign during the pandemic, was extremely successful.  On the verge of going out of business, and the community, as well as other bands and labels, pitched in and assisted Chain Reaction into continuing to host wonderful shows.

            Unlike certain several dates on the tour, only the three touring bands would be performing this evening.  To an exciting applause, Nailed to Obscurity submerged us with sullen, emotional brand of Melodic Death/ Doom Metal.  It can be often difficult to stand out from the genre, considering the vastly, excellent names that hold that torch high.  However, Nailed to Obscurity’s twin harmonies, particularly the lower notes haunting and vivid, brightly stood out.  Starting the band way back in 2005, guitarists Jan-Ole Lamberti and Volker Dieken provided those exciting leads, and you could feel the experience, poise, and stage presence from both members.  Although the slower, mid-tempo was what you would expect from the genre, I felt the dynamics from Raimund Ennenga’s dynamic movement alongside the lyrics, as well as his echoing, superb growl, kept me engaged effortlessly.  Their first US tour, and the first time playing since the pandemic, the butterflies in the room from all sides, were evident and joyful.  Nailed to Obscurity made a lasting impact tonight, receiving such a warm welcome as they deserve.

1.  Black Frost

2.  Protean

3.  The Aberrant Host

4.  Liquid Mourning

5.  Deadening

6.  Desolate Ruin

            A fan-favorite on studio record, and especially live performances, Kataklysm wasted no time getting the crowd fired up, and creating the first moshpit, and multiple ones to follow.  Jean-Francois Dagenais’s signature buzzsaw distorting blasted through the PA, with that familiar triplet-chugging ascending Melodic riff opening “At the Edge of the World.”  Through all my years seeing Kataklysm, dating back to 2003, I’m still at awe at the level of energy and ferocity the band continues to perform at.  Maurizio Iacono demanded satisfaction from the audience tonight, and by far had the crowd at the most intense of the evening.  When you’re dubbed “Northern Hyperblast”, that’s what it’ll get you.  Personally, however their setlist tonight was a “gift and a curse”.  All but one song performed were from at least 5 of their more recent albums.  I always appreciate when a band takes chances, and does things differently.  I’ll take a different set, than a “Greatest Hits” set, about all of the time.  At least tonight, I’ve come to terms with the modern sound Kataklysm has developed: not quite as “riff-y”, but more of the slightly higher mid-tempo to slower songs, more breakdowns and chugging based riffs, than say The Prophecy (Stigmata of the Immaculate), and Epic (The Poetry of War).  It was admittingly difficult to get into the songs, but the closer “As I Slither” was a refreshing blast from the past, and Chain Reaction happily obliged.  Not my most personal favorite Kataklysm set, but still crushed it, on performance alone.      

1.  Outsider

2.  Underneath the Scars

3.  At the Edge of the World

4.  Push the Venom

5.  Focused to Destroy You

6.  Narcissist

7.  The Black Sheep

8.  The Killshot

9.  Taking the World by Storm

10.  As I Slither

            I forgotten the intimacy Chain Reaction had in regards to the venue size, and just how close a show feels, especially when it’s a packed house, and a passionate one at that.  Chants of “DT!”, as the PA went on and the insane reaction to Dark Tranquillity, indicated it was going to be one of those memorable nights.  It can be a challenge to involve 6 members on-stage, yet the band felt present all set long.  One of the “newest” members, Christopher Amott himself, performing many of the higher, sustaining harmonies, noticeably in “The Lesser Faith”.  For the amount of time, Amott was in Arch Enemy, I can only imagine how much greater Dark Tranquillity will be for it.  Their latest record, Moment, had the electronics and keyboards beautifully dazzle.  Martin Brandstrom’s colourful, harmonious tones could be felt with gorgeous texture.  It’s such a profound strength the band possesses, and Brandstrom’s 2 decades + in the group, has demonstrated that unwordly strength.

            Mikael Stanne’s prolific, astounding abilities as a front man and vocalist, continue to amaze.  His thoughtful words and dedication to former guitarist, Fredrik Johansson, who tragically passed away from cancer, introducing “Punish My Heaven” to an emotional, lively crowd, was an immense highlight.  You could feel the sheer influence and vision from Johansson, going all the way back to 1995 when The Gallery was released, reminding the world where some of the first “Gothenburg” albums, originated from.  There was another touching moment, with Mikael singing to a fan up-front, holding her close and singing alongside him.  After a second to notice, it turned out the fan was blind.  I cannot imagine the tearful joy, emotional butterflies, she must have felt at that point.  The honesty and emotional wherewithal from Mikael onstage, is always breathtaking to watch.

                      One of the other major highlights of Dark Tranquillity’s immense 90-minute set, not only the varied setlist, but the constant rotation throughout their tour.  Not only were multiple songs played from their grandiose record, Projector, Mikael announced that “Freecard” was the first time performed in the states, and the crowd went ballistic in response.  Much of Dark Tranquillity’s discography well-represented, including “The New Build” from Character.  It’s not too often you hear the band blast beat, and that powerful intro resonated furiously live.  This was a compelling performance from Dark Tranquillity tonight, and this being roughly the 7th time I’ve witnessed them live, this was so far, the best set I’ve seen them play.  18 songs of signature Melodic Death Metal galore, it was an honour to be at Chain Reaction tonight.

30-some odd years ago, Dark Tranquillity, one of the “Swedish Big 3” in helping from Melodic Death Metal, as we mostly know and love today. Perhaps it was the pandemic too, but the amount of continuous energy and majestic adoration that the band still performs live at, especially tonight, it’s a performance that you would regret not attending in your area. Hoping the phantom days are behind us, and we can watch Dark Tranquillity even sooner, where music is most alive.

1.  Phantom Days

2.  Transient

3.  The Lesser Faith

4.  Monochromatic Stains

5.  Forward Momentum

6.  Terminus (Where Death is Most Alive)

7.  The Dark Unbroken

8.  Punish My Heaven

9.  Icipher

10.  Atoma

11.  The New Build

12.  Freecard

13.  Identical to None

14.  Encircled

15.  ThereIn

16.  State of Trust

17.  Lost to Apathy

18.  Misery’s Crown