Conan at Glasgow Audio
Conan are forging new and exciting directions for doom metal, and the live experience of the band is something pretty unique in the doom metal world.
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Audio, the venue for tonight's gig in Glasgow, is situated below one of the city's main railway stations and is dimly lit and claustrophobic, which feels completely right for doom metal. It also has a developing reputation for putting on some amazing gigs from the extreme metal world, Nile and Kataklysm being just two examples.
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It is absolutely packed for Conan tonight, which is no less than this hard working band deserves, particularly with its developing reputation for armageddon like live shows.There is no barrier between stage and audience, and the back line of massive guitar and bass cabinets is just a hint of the destruction to be wrecked on our ear drums tonight.
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Conan emerge on to the stage with their customary hoodie hoods up, and with new addition to the line up, Chris Fielding on bass, also producer of the new album Blood Eagle.....and producer of Glasgow's own death metal legends Cerebral Bore.
The band open with the unmistakeable first doom laden chords of Crown of Talons from the new album, played with menace and atmosphere by guitarist Jon Davis; when the drums and guitar hit full on, its like getting knocked off your feet sonically!
The next number Total Conquest generates a sea of head banging behind me, quite a scene to witness! This is one of the stand out tracks on the new album, and live the massive dynamics inherent in this song really come alive.
One of the things you really notice about this band live and on record, is how much they play with, and add in new things to the traditional doom template. Their astonishingly good drummer Paul O'Neil for example, has a unique style, and his cymbal work and complex fills are an innovative add in to the doom metal mix.
During Altar of Grief the last number, it's almost as if the band and audience are in complete sync, as the music builds and builds. The intensity of the screamed vocals is almost unbearable at times; and towards the end the band are assembled around the drum kit, locked into a complete earthquake of a riff. The new album pretty much gets played in its entirety, and it feels like a break through one for the band.
Summing up Conan live, they seem to combine within doom metal, the majesty of classical composition, in the way in which musical themes are built up layer upon layer, and the complexity of jazz, with the way in which these themes are so brilliantly nuanced with intricate musical touches.
My ears were still ringing the next day. Completely awesome! Don't miss this band live!
Interview with guitarist and vocalist Jon Davis arriving soon, so look out for it on Room Thirteen.
To view all photos taken during this set click here. There are 5 available.