Live Review: Zeal & Ardor - KK's Steel Mill, Wolverhampton
12th November 2022
Support: Lake Malice
Words: Cat Finch
Photos: Tim Finch
KK’s Steel Mill is the centre of cutting edge music in the West Midlands, playing host to the hot new acts on the scene. Tonight is no exception with the critically acclaimed Zeal & Ardor landing at it’s doors for the penultimate date of their UK run.
Originally booked alongside the band were British upstarts Heriot, although sickness has caused a cancellation with the mostly unknown quantity of Lake Malice taking their place. As the quartet take to the stage, the fans watch on as they make their mark as worthy replacements for the original booking. Vocalist Alice Guala apologises for the last minute line up change but there really is no need, the band provide ample talent to be the perfect stand in.
Their music is infectious, full of hooks and with enough meat to get your rage on. Full of youthful exuberance, the stage a buzz with energy and movement. The band feed off the raucous crowd through their short set, a performance that will leave a mark on us all. The band may not be well known as yet, but given a year or two, you will all know their name!
As we prepare for the main event a strange video plays across the video screen that fills the rear of the stage. A large figure, sumo wrestler-esq in look and stature, gyrates on the screen. The figures motions, the movement of it’s swathes of flesh are almost hypnotic as many of the assembled masses look on, almost hypnotises as we await Zeal & Ardor’s arrival.
As the light’s dim the digital background springs to life, a throbbing Zeal & Ardor logo illuminates the crowd. Four members of Zeal & Ardor take to the stage opening the set with ‘Church Burns’ and ‘Götterdämmerung’. With a crowd wondering about the missing band members, frontman Manuel Gagneux addresses the situation, much like Heriot, sickness has struck the band but rather than cancel the band play on as a four piece. For which we are all thankful!
It's hard to do justice to the band’s live show in words alone, the light show is magnificent, the digital back drop mesmerising, but above all the music does the talking. The band’s sound is unique, something the traditionalists may wince at, yet the packed house here in Wolverhampton move as one with the music. Every beat, every note, every riff fed to the audience is ingested and turned into pure energy.
The set itself comprising a mix of the outfits short, yet distinct, back catalogue. Through ‘Gravedigger’s Chant’, ‘Feed The Machine’ and ‘Death To The Holy’ the unmatched fury of a band at the top of their game resonates throughout the auditorium. Topped off with ‘J-M-B’ and ‘Baphomet’ this set was unbeatable. With a performance at Bloodstock next year on the cards, the nine month wait for their return will only serve to heighten the anticipation for what comes next.
Photo credits: Tim Finch Photography
