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date: 01 1 2000
After a short initiating journey into gothic, here I am back to my old love- death metal. And for not being accused of narrow-mindness or trite melancholy, I promise I will deal with other genres in the near future. But for the moment I thought I should refresh your memory with a band that, alongside Illdisposed and Iniquity, made the foundations of death metal in Hamlet's country. It is also the first time when I choose a live album and you are going to see why. Deathsters should have heard at least of Konkhra or Anders Ludenmark. The guy in question used to be extremely active on the Danish scene back in the 90's (I have no information about his recent activity unfortunately) and he is still a respected figure of the genre, for what he had released with Konkhra and Daemon, another noticeable band quite underrated in its epoch.
In 1996 Konkhra released probably the best live death metal album ever made after the legendary The Eindhoven Insanity of Gorefest. The album is simply named Live Eraser and, if you haven't had yet the pleasure, you'd better go get it fast for what you'll hear will surely be a blast. Another reason would be the lack of products of this kind when it comes to death metal. I have to mention that the recording has been made during Konkhra's recital at Roskilde Festival, with more than 12000 attendants. Of course a band put in front of such an audience will give its best. Well, Konkhra guys outran themselves with this occasion and that's perceivable on this great release. Danish band's show has been based 90% on Spit or Swallow, only 2 songs from S.A.D. being thrown to the crowd. Being a huge fan of Spit or Swallow and knowing exactly what Konkhra can do, my personal interest regarding this product was huge. I was extremely curious about their live sound and the result simply confirmed me the unique potential of this band. If Spit or Swallow has a killer sound, live it sounds twice as heavy. The sound is raw, with minimal technical interventions. Well, Konkhra is a lot helped by the songs' conception. We deal with a death metal based on staccato riffs, heavy, not to speedy as the Americans, nor too melodic as the Swedish bands. Actually I noticed a specific sound of the Danish death metal, difficult to frame it into classical. That sound helps a lot when it comes to live. Just play Live Eraser and you'll definitely understand what I mean. The slow rhythm, the inhuman growl of Anders and the crowd's support offer a sensation hard to describe in words, that sensation of losing something truly special because you haven't been there. In the end, you gotta be grateful for the one who had the idea to tape the moment for you to enjoy it too from your comfortable armchair. The show ends with the fastest Konkha song, Spit of Swallow and thus a referential chapter in the history of death metal comes to an end. A proof of professionalism, a lesson of playing live this genre at its full intensity. A huge, huge classic.
Hooked
Warzone
Basic Facts of Life
S.A.D
The Dying Art
Centuries
Drowning, Dead Dreaming
Facelift
Subconscience
Life Eraser
Spit or Swallow