Fjord launched their latest album, Portrait for a Reflection, on December 15 at Fabrica Club, having Flesh Rodeo and Asemic as guests / opening acts. The event was hosted by Final Step Productions, a relatively
new name in the underground scene, and it was my first time at one of their
concerts, but certainly not the last. Not only they did a good job at
organizing this evening, but they already have announced some interesting
things for 2017, so I definitely recommend anyone to keep an eye on their
future actions.
Back to the gig last Thursday, I
arrived at the venue around the announced beginning hour. Fabrica Club is one
of the 3 indoor venues where underground events are held on a regular basis, so
it naturally became a near and dear place for me. The night started with no
unnecessary delays, with Flesh Rodeo.
They’re an Alternative Metal act from Bucharest, started in 2008. I had some
reserves if Alternative fits well at a Post-Rock event, but the band was quick
to convince me through their solid and energetic show. Now I’d say it was just
what a good concert needs, a strong beginning. The vocalist, Radu Ursoiu, has a
good and expressive presence, constantly moving on stage. As they were
performing, the club became half-full and people started to gather around the
front row.
Next was Asemic, an Instrumental Progressive band, again from Bucharest. Their
performance was a good continuation of what Flesh Rodeo had started, the same
energy flowing through their music. The band was maybe more static but communicated
to the audience more. One of the things they announced was a line-up change,
Tudor Scanteie being replaced with Andrei Alexandru Bogdan on guitar. Also,
they said they’re performing a new song (I don’t recall them mentioning the
name for it). So we let ourselves sink in the crescent riffs, with their energy
dispelled at times through slow-down passages, while we waited for Fjord.
I believe I saw Fjord live twice in the past, in 2015
in Colectiv Club as an opening act for Altar of Plagues, I don’t remember the
second occasion. I was rather unimpressed each time, can’t tell why but they
seemed dull. Portrait for a Reflection was online for streaming on bandcamp
even since September, and I listened to it more than once, so I had the time to
form an opinion. It’s a really good album, the band seems to have found a
unique and distinctive voice. That is really hard with Post-Rock, a genre that
leaves little room for innovation and many bands seem to sound alike. But it’s
not the case here, Fjord has become a unique mixture of melancholic and powerful
passages, both on the album and on stage. The lights went off, making room for
the video projection and enhancing the atmosphere. I felt embraced by a
nameless nostalgia, but not fully taken, the strength of the riffs occasionally
taking me back on solid ground.
The club was full when Fjord has
begun, a rare sight at concerts having only Romanian bands in line-up. Overall
it was a pleasant night for everyone, ending with a good add to my CD
collection, an album which I recommend to you all.
review by Ana Maria Codescu.
thanks for the recommendation