Wolves in the Throne Room, Krallice & A Storm of Light @ the Studio @ Webster Hall in NYC - pics
photos by Paul Birman, words by Black Bubblegum
Wolves in the Throne Room
Like a dark mist settling in the Hudson Valley before blowing off to sea, Wolves In The Throne Room, Krallice, and A Storm of Light cast darkness upon The Studio @ Webster Hall last night (5/26) as part of their tour surrounding Maryland Death Fest which included an earlier NYC Date at Europa on 5/22 (except with Thrones instead of Krallice). Videos from Europa and full tour dates are below.
A Storm of Light opened the evening at The Studio with their Neurosis-style dirge and thunder, drawing from newly reworked material due to the addition of a new female voice, Nerissa Campbell. Comparing Tuesday night to my prior experience with them, the vocals with the now-harmonizing Josh Graham only further highlight their Swans influence, and Campbell’s voice has a pained quality that reminds me of a simpler, more blues-y Jarboe. I think the addition is a smart one.
Krallice followed, and though apparent instrument issues plagued Colin Marston, the trio banged out a set of (I believe) mostly new material. The new material seems to be in the same vein as the old; dual tremelo picking, blasting drums, and odd left turns delivered with underlying complex melody. Bassist Nick McMaster plays a different role in the new material (he did not play on the S/T), showcasing some finger-tapping and a death-metal growl that contrasts well with Mick Barr’s reverb drenched, higher pitched screams.
I recently spoke with Krallice, and the band is working on their new album for a late June/July recording, after which the band will take a break until August. (To work on Gorguts?!?!? Please?)
Wolves In The Throne Room were candlelit and engulfed in fog by the time the clock struck 10:45PM. The foursome charged through abbreviated versions of songs from their current and last LPs, Two Hunters and Black Cascade respectively, including “Ahrimanic Trance”, “Behold The Vastness and Sorrow”, and “Crystal Ammunition”. As menacing and unholy as they seem on stage, their melodies soar from beneath the darkness, making their live show all the more undeniable. If you missed this or the Europa show, make sure to get to the next one. I have a feeling that with the crowd the size that it was last night (sold out?), we may get another taste very soon. (I hope)
To close, a note for aspiring photographers. If the band likes to perform with the lights so low, don’t flash away 100+ times at the same target. It’s distracting, annoying, and just plain uncool. That said, more pictures, and those videos, below…
A Storm of Light…
Krallice…
Wolves in the Throne Room…
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Check out our interview with Aaron Weaver of WITTR.
Wolves in the Throne Room @ Club Europa 5/22/09, “Ahrimanic Trance”
Thrones @ Club Europa 5/22/09 “Ephraim”
A Storm of Light @ Club Europa 5/22/09
WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM – 2009 TOUR DATES
May 28 2009 Kung Fu Necktie Philadelphia, Pennsylvania *
May 29 2009 Gallery 5 Richmond, Virginia *
May 30 2009 The Hideaway Johnson City, Tennessee *
May 31 2009 Emerald Lounge Asheville, North Carolina *
Jun 1 2009 Caledonia Athens, Georgia *
Jun 2 2009 The Earl Atlanta, Georgia *
Jun 4 2009 Downtown Music Little Rock, Arkansas *
Jun 5 2009 One Eyed Jacks New Orleans, Louisiana *
Jun 7 2009 Emo’s Austin, Texas ^
Jun 8 2009 Rubber Gloves Denton, Texas ^^
Jun 13 2009 WALDROCK Festival Burgum
Jun 14 2009 AJZ Bielefeld^^^
Jun 15 2009 Underground Cologne
Jun 16 2009 Le Sonic Lyon
Jun 17 2009 Unwound Padova, Padova
Jun 18 2009 Neudegg Alm Sonnenwend Celebration Salzburg/ Abtenau,
Jun 19 2009 Elfer Frankfurt
Jun 20 2009 Le Nouveau Casino Paris $
Jun 21 2009 Hellfest Clisson
Jun 24 2009 Gala Hala Ljubljana
Jun 25 2009 Suffering Life Festival WarmUp Wachenroth
Jun 26 2009 Oheim Festival Ottensheim
Jun 27 2009 Graspop Dessel
Jun 28 2009 Dudefest Karlsruhe
Jun 29 2009 Hafenklang Hamburg
Jun 30 2009 Magnet Berlin
Jul 2 2009 Roskilde Roskilde
Jul 3 2009 The Garage Oslo
Jul 6 2009 Emo’s Austin, Texas$$
Jul 11 2009 TBA San diego, California
Jul 12 2009 the Knitting Factory LA, California$$$
Jul 13 2009 Slims San Fransico, California$$$
Jul 15 2009 Berbati’s pan Portland, Oregon$$$
Jul 16 2009 Neumo’s Seattle, Washington$$$
Jul 17 2009 TBA Olympia, Washington
Jul 18 2009 What the Heck Fest Anacortes, Washington
* w/ Krallice/ A Storm Of Light
** w/ Thrones, A Storm Of Light
^ w/ A Storm Of Light, The Roller
^^ w/ A Storm Of Light
^^^ w/ Planks, Long Distance Calling, Blackwvs, Stench Of Styx
$ w/ Enablers, From Monument To Masses, Snowman, Team Ghost
$$ w/ Nachtmystium and Pentagram
$$$ w/ Minsk
