The expectation of four good bands in one tour package summoned quite an amount of people into Hamburg’s Markthalle – unfortunately not enough to justify the big main stage so the concert was rescheduled to the smaller Marx. Before the concert I had the chance to talk to SECRETS OF THE MOON drummer Thelemnar and he described very enthusiastic the recording process of the great new release. After rough times with so much internal pressure “Privilegivm” is like a new era especially with the stronger line up and new band member LSK. It’s quite interesting to see that even the big success hasn’t changed the attitude of these guys – they still follow their own way without the need to compare the music in any way with the current German underground developments. That they are part of this scene or maybe one of the leading acts has doubtless any influence / meaning to their understanding of Black Metal. This general understatement is furthermore supported by the fact that all three bands – BORKNAGAR is only a special headliner for a handful of shows – change the running order day after day. Today the Norwegian / British group <CODE> has the honor to open the wild hunt and their Black Metal spiced with a lot of avantgarde – especially singer Kvohst (DODHEIMSGARD) with his clear vocals and  his stage performance can back up this impression – can convince the first Metalhead to warm up their well trained necks. During their playing time of around 50 minutes not all <CODE> songs can convince me completely but the new songs from the second release “Resplendent Grotesque” (‘Smother The Crones‘ and ‘Possession Is The Medicine’) can build a bridge between the old and ugly face of true Norwegian Black Metal and some further (new) influences. The Icelandic band SOLSTAFIR will play nearly 1 hour and still – nearly three days later – I’m speechless about this experience. Such intensity in form of music is very seldom and the handful of songs had been like a trip. Every song starts on a much reduced level before it ends in a big musical climax and their style is compared to the former band less Black and more Rock'n'Roll. It’s very difficult to distinguish the songs – it was more or less one song and the statement that you will return if you ever saw this band live can only be supported by my impression. Can only hope that their last words – so it’s over but we are coming back – are a promise!! After this great gig it’s quite hard for SECRETS OF THE MOON to enter the stage but their opener ‘Sulphur’ (from their new release) has the potential to convince the Hamburg audience from the first moment. The new line up (plus one session member) is acting as one unity and there is not really a big deal to criticise – but still something was missing. The new album is a complex record and the decision to play only songs from their last two releases is maybe justified but I think that every fan (including myself) would really get crazy when the band could include songs like ‘Psychoccult Hymn’ into their playlist – these songs are born to be played live and every audience would worship them immediately. The stage acting of singer SG is also extremely reduced – a little bit more contact to their fans / audience would really harm nobody. But the SECRETS OF THE MOON material is nevertheless fantastic and songs like 'Lucifer Speaks' or the final track 'Queen Among Rats' are worth the headliner position. After three very good bands the expectations are more than great especially after such a long break for Norwegian cult act BORKNAGAR. To make the pain as short as possible I really wish I had left the hall before the final act. This disappointment has only one name – Vintersorg. The Swedish singer - who has become famous for killing Euronymous (??? - Frank) and burn down 666 churches - is still one of most evil persons on this planet. You can see that only sarcasm can help me in this situation (ahh.. - Frank). BORKNAGAR are in 2009 far away from their debut or their first releases via Century Media but Vintersorg was acting like a possessed maniac to bring back these golden times. Can’t understand this ‘acting’ on stage but maybe I was just missing the joke. The rest of the band played a solid set but it was obvious that they need 2-3 concerts to return to their old routine. Nevertheless a great evening with three really good bands – especially due to the fact that every band has a unique style far away from the evil, satanic, 666 Black Metal bands (thanks Thelemnar for these final words!).

Matthias Auch