Excellent evening!
The Kolmas started with an extremely well executed set of minimal analogue electronics in the vein of Panasonic and Suicide. Two guys from Terveet Kädet crouching over their analogue devices. Drones, rhythms, buzzing and humming driven through bass amp and PA. There was not a single loose moment in the set, but it all seemed very tight and in full control. Loud, powerful and hypnotic. A VJ was projecting analogue video feedback noise to the stage and modulated that in real time, which added a suitable visual element to the show. Great!
Aeoga played their first show in eight years. Self-built modular synth, tapes, amps, guitar and mic'd up saw. Really forceful, psychedelic slowly moving mass of ritual electronics. Big sound. Many people associate their label Aural Hypnox with more open ambient sound, but this was damaged, rumbling and rough. Guitar "riffs" etc. made me think of older Maeror Tri, but as a more sinister version.
MK9's set was a mixture of video, sound and performance. Some technical problems occurred in the beginning but once they were sorted over the set went on as planned. Michael handed over sheets of paper with text and image, and then proceeded with the set. It's not really about "music" at all, but more a synchronized blast of information. Drones, buzzing, bits of recorded speech etc were in sync with a video that provided the audience with bits of human violence and suffering, while Michael spoke and shouted over it all, questioning our political and ideological motivations etc. Very strong show indeed, and most people were really into it. I was expecting more criticism but somehow it seemed to click. Most were rather wary of describing the show as 'entertaining' due to the subject matter, yet still enjoyed it.
Turnout was rather good, around 50-60 people in this smaller DIY venue. Considering that it was a Thursday evening in Northern Finland, cannot really complain. Free food for the audience was offered, and DJ played a nice array of post industrial / power electronics / ambient.
