Live Review: MØL – Manchester

Having reviewed their latest album “Dreamcrush” a few weeks ago, I was really intrigued about heading up to Manchester to watch Denmark’s MØL. Atmospheric, black metal shoegaze might not trip off the tongue as a genre, but having been impressed by their new music, I headed off to see how they would perform.

Now, the mix of an early start time, and Manchester’s wonderful nighttime traffic, meant that I missed the first few songs of opening act Cold Night for Alligators. With such a great name, they churn out some impressive progressive metal, as the cold, moody blue lighting sets the tone for the band. With guitarists Kristoffer Jessen and Roar Jakobsen swapping solos, there’s a nice rhythm to their music with a big sound to boot.

“I am Only Fear” is an excellent song, with plenty of tempo changes, as all members stand in a line at the front of the stage, and the crowd headbang along. They finish their set with “No Connection” which I really enjoyed, as animated frontman Johan Pedersen works well with the music and the guitars sound spot on.

When I was researching Tayne, I was curious about them being labelled as “Industrial pop “but within a few minutes of them playing, I was left wanting more. The 3 piece from London offer a quiet start as they played a few new and unreleased tracks (thanks to the band for giving me this info). By the time they kick on with “Coherent” they are really showing what they are all about. With Matthew Sutton on vocals/bass he encourages the crowd to “get honky” as they play songs off their debut album “LOVE”.

The mix of new and really new songs works well, but I’m particularly impressed by the blend of violent synths, heavy beats and double bass kick drum noise. Heads and bodies are moving in the crowd, and their gothic sound is weighty and menacing. “Wasted” and “Cause///Worthless” are two brutal sounding songs, with a touch of Ministry about them, and the almost computerised vocals add something different. They continue to rip through several more songs, including “Down”, “Fear” and “Nothing” and conclude with another new one, as Sutton says, “it’s your last song to honk”. They proceed into full on attack mode by ramping up the pace, to end a dark, evil but ultimately awesome set.

At precisely 9pm, the lights go out and the intro blasts across the PA. Shadowy figures enter the stage and MØL vocalist Kim Song Sternkopf says “Good evening, Manchester” in a hushed voice, beckoning the beginning of “Hud”. They explode into life with and when they start “Penumbra” the drums are pounding, and they offer one hell of a sound. It’s a fantastic blend of intense rage alongside laid back, shoegaze melancholy as the pit kicks off.

Sternkopf reminds me of a magician casting a spell over the audience, he leans into their faces, and plays with their minds, and later their phones, more on that to follow. Playing plenty of songs off their excellent “Dreamcrush” album, it’s the older songs like “Vestige” and “Serf” that really grab my attention. That was until the splendour of “Garland” rings out. It has that dream sequence feel to it alongside some guitar wizardry and relentless drumming and I’m kind of lost in the moment, singing along.

The frontman is now in full swing, commenting that he “really feels as home here” as they continue with the fearsome “Photophobic”. The charismatic frontman grabs a phone out of someone’s hand and starts to film them from the stage, but he bonds well with the audience, as drummer Ken Lund Klejs displays more dominant double bass kick drum action during “Ligament”.

“We want to give you something to enjoy” quips the vocalist as he takes another phone away from the front, (is this his thing maybe?) during the sorrowful “Young”. The riffs are dramatic adding to the imposing atmosphere that the band generate live. “Crush” is a perfect example of what this band do so well collectively. It has an intensity and potency wrapped around a wonderful melody and progressive vocal. This isn’t just a live gig, it’s a live performance, with all band members playing their part exceptionally well.

Before they begin “Jord” Sternkopf thanks us for “being here to share this with us” and with a clapped intro, its heavier yet gentle music that soothes our senses. With the end in sight, the frontman walks into the middle of the crowd to start “Bruma” as the pit goes off around him. It’s a perfect way to end the set and they’ve captivated every soul within Rebellion tonight.