Live | Evergrey [support KLOGR and Inner Vitriol] – De Cacaofabriek – Helmond [NL]

22 December 2024

At the fall of 2024 and with a humongous 40+ gig stint under their belt, prog-power metal icons Evergrey bring their ‘Emptiness over Europe 2024’ to an end at the packed Helmond Cacaofabriek. I’ve seen my fair share of gigs, but this show featuring support acts KLOGR and Inner Vitriol, is nothing short of electrifying. From the moment I step into the venue, the atmosphere is charged with a high level of anticipation, and the night does not disappoint.

INNER VITRIOL : THE PERFECT OPENING ACT

Kicking off the evening, Inner Vitriol immediately raises expectations with their dynamic performance. Their unique fusion of progressive metal and engaging stage presence captivates the audience from the outset. In a tightly packed 30-minute set, they ensure that every moment is impactful. Opening with ,,Slowly She Dies’’ and following with ,,The Frozen Wind’’, the band demonstrates their technical expertise and complex song structures. The scorching guitar work features heavy riffs interwoven with intricate melodies and progressive time changes, showcasing the band at their peak.

Guitarist Michele di Lauro impresses with his intense solos and powerful riffs, igniting the crowd with his genuine passion and stagecraft calling out for anticipation. Gabriele Gozzi, blessed with a remarkable vocal range, delivers commanding performances that resonate deeply with the audience, forging an intense connection. Meanwhile, bassist Francesco Lombardo, stationed on the left, focuses intently on his five-string bass, providing low-end support that enhances the band’s progressive sound. Drummer Michele Panepinto lays down a solid rhythmic foundation, punctuated by impressive tempo shifts and melodic elements.

Despite performing for a smaller early crowd, the energy in the room grows with each song. Their new emotive track, ,,Butterflies’’ reveals a different facet of their artistry and resonates well with listeners. This is followed by ,,Impressioni di Settembre’’, a tribute to the Italian neo-prog band Premiata Forneria Marconi. The sincerity of their performance strikes a chord, culminating in their closing number, the towering prog anthem ,,Endless Spiral’’, which leaves spectators clamoring for an encore.

Inner Vitriol clearly stands out as a band to watch; their musicianship is exceptional, and their infectious passion elevates their live show. With Henrik Danhage enjoying the performance from the front row, there is no doubt about their growing appeal in the progressive metal scene.

KLOGR : A VISUAL AND SONIC FEAST

Next up is KLOGR, a band that elevates the energy of the stage to exhilarating heights. Their performance is nothing short of a visual spectacle, featuring dynamic lighting and captivating video backdrops that harmoniously enhance their powerful sound. They kick off with the thunderous track ,,Hysterical Blindness”, followed by the equally compelling tracks ,,One of Eight” and ,,Face the Unknown” from their brand-new album `Fractured Realities’ of which the entire setlist is comprised. From the very start, KLOGR captures the audience’s attention, igniting a wave of movement with their heavy riffs and infectious hooks. The guitars resonate with an alternative edge, sweeping listeners into a blissful embrace of sound. It is heavy as hell but crushes with waves of spiraling emotions.

The band’s unique blend incorporates distorted grunge elements reminiscent of more progressive leaning genre greats like Last Crack, delivering heavy breaks and soaring musical moments that hit with relentless energy. Rusty’s emotionally loud-charged vocals add depth to their performance, weaving reflective themes into the raw intensity of their sound. Pivanti, though visually contrasting as the next-door neighbour, anchors the group with a growling bass that complements Rusty’s fervent vocal delivery. His introspective singing style channels genuine emotion, seamlessly merging power metal accolades with melodic finesse with towering hooks and steep drops, captivating the audience with every note.

THE ESSENCE OF ROCK

KLOGR’s ability to fuse various musical styles while retaining their rock essence is truly impressive. Their new material showcases remarkable growth as artists, with tracks like ,,Whale Fall,” ,,Gravity of Fear,” ,,Waking World,” and ,,Unspoken Words” reflecting sophisticated progressive musicianship. Rusty delivers his most commanding vocal performance yet, blending showmanship with visual flair as they navigate through intense renditions of these new songs.

The band’s established live presence shines brightly throughout their set, culminating in a thrilling finale featuring ,,The Twisted Art” and the crowd-pleasing closer ,,Guinea Pigs”. KLOGR’s performance is not only triumphant but also solidifies their status as a formidable and refreshing new force in the progressive alt-rock and metal scene, leaving audiences eager for more.

EVERGREY : MASTERS OF PROGRESSIVE METAL

It’s time for Evergrey. Three led screens count down from T3 minutes before displaying the visuals of the recent album `Theories of Emptiness’. Bits and pieces connect, and the tension rises. Taking the stage, the atmosphere shifts and you feel the excitement in the air. Discharging the opening chords for ,,Falling from the Sun” Tom steps into the luminescence of lights from the screens, with Henrik adding his riffs and licks, firing up the audience. It leads into ,,Say” with the anticipation of the crowd rising. From this moment onwards, it is clear we are in for an unforgettable roller-coaster ride through time, with the band displaying their enthusiasm performing the many classics.

The setlist of Evergrey is a perfect mix of classics and new tracks. ,,Distance” is supported by the visual sections of their video cut by Patrik Uleaus, adding to the joy. Songs like ,,Midwinter Calls” have the entire venue singing along. Hitting the heavies in its most extreme the turbulent discharge of ,,Eternal Nocturnal” raises the heat, before I’m won over when Simen fires up for the insane ,,A Silent Arc” in which he displays his immense skills and talents, adding chops to Jonas’ insane legacy. Drum and bass are scattering and Danhage and Englund add their heavy carnage of riffs and licks, with their guitar interaction towering on the solo, trading off their impressive skills.

EVERGREY – INSANE MARKSMANSHIP

,,One Heart” has KLOGR and Inner Vitriol members on stage in their end-of-tour celebration, falling well with their fans. The music resonates deeply, and Tom Englund’s vocals are nothing short of phenomenal. His ability to convey emotion through his singing is unparalleled and tonight he displays his most melancholic edge frequently. Phrasing slightly adjusted to match the live tendencies of the songs performed, also sees his qualities adjusting to the standards at hand. It is gut-stirring powerful, and with his one-liners he has the crowd engaged easily while not taking the spotlight dominantly. His stage presence is honest and mixes well with the band’s characters.

Taking the spotlights dominantly is Danhage who is literally on the edge of the stage displaying his insane qualities as a performer and guitarist. He complements Tom’s intricate posture perfectly. The trade-off between Englund’s guitars and Henrik Danhage’s impressive tone and skills is tremendous. Flourishing melodies amidst the progressive turmoil of time changes and rhythmic dynamics are enveloping the band’s abilities to mix the heaviest with the slickest without lacking the metal ferocity. The solos and harmonized sections are vigorous and depleted with insane marksmanship. Taking the spotlight at turns you feel their complimentary richness in tone.

INSANE MOMENTUM : SAVE US

Backed by bass-monster Johan Niemann’s ferocious playing, the trio is in impressive close interplay atop Simen Sandnes dynamic drums. Simen, known for his work with Temic, is filling Ekdahl’s large shoes. Known for his unmatched heavy beats and triplet tom and floor interaction, Jonas recently stepped down from touring. Sandnes certainly makes waves tonight, capturing the essence of his predecessor’s intensity while executing with enigmatic additions incorporating his personal style. Evergrey’s musicianship is simply mind-blowing; each member plays with impressive precision and passion making it hard not to get lost in the moment. On top it all gels and the comradery within seems maintained as the band rolls out with immersive momentum.

Breaking the momentum for a breather Danhage displays his jaw dropping skills soloing on his signature Charvel axe, blending the band’s benchmark sound with shredder-persona from the eighties Shrapnel wizards. A brief breather that is followed by Sandnes’ drum solo showcasing his intense qualities and his performing abilities enthusing the crowd. He stands to seek anticipation while stamping the pedals of his base drums, like he does during his engaging performance during the entire set.

,,Where August Mourn” touches the crowds sing along vibe and Evergrey loosens the breaks to delve into its high pace again for a divine version the progressive power monster ,,Weightless” which flows into the new melancholic ,,Misfortune” with Zander’s ebbing heavy keys raining over Niemann’s slapping heavy bass. The jagged riffs are fired with precision and mark the impressive parading galore of the track. Rousing the chants and belting out ,,Destruction!”, the crowd matches the band’s insane momentum falling into that other rousing track ,,Save Us”, closing the show.

EVERGREY – THE ENCORE

Called back onto the stage, temperature rises when Tom hits the opening sentences of ,,The Inner Circle” classic ,,A Touch of Blessing”, falling into its power metal riffs and ponderous groove with the audience going all in. The anticipation becomes a celebration when Rikard drizzles his keys atop the riff cranage and Evergrey unleashes the chord progressions and rattling drums announcing, ,,King of Errors”. Man, can it get any better?!!

The lighting design added another layer to their performance, enhancing the emotional weight of tracks and it all towers with the Grande finale of ,,Our Way through Silence”. The interaction between Zander and Tom’s immersive vocals is astounding, and with 46 gigs under their belt this closing track is the cork shooting from their bottle. It is their break from touring, frequently addressed during the show as ‘… a family building bonds on the tour bus’ by Tom. The song constantly reverts to its wonderful vocals while combusting in the intensity of the chorus. Larger than life!

A NIGHT TO REMEMBER

Overall, this gig was a celebration of progressive metal in all its forms. Each band brought something unique to the table, creating a diverse and engaging experience for fans. The intimacy of the venue allowed for a connection between the bands and the audience that made this night truly special.

If you have a chance to catch Evergrey, KLOGR, or Inner Vitriol touring with future shows, do not miss it! This line-up is proof that metal continues to evolve while staying true to its roots. An exhilarating night that will be etched in my memory for years to come!

All photos by Edwin van Hoof