Live Review: Satyricon, Deadspace

Sometimes the moniker doesn’t do justice to the sound. Although Deadspace sounds like a band that should be supporting Drowning Pool, the Perth-based outfit churned out a solid set of atmospheric black metal that at times bordered on sludgy doom. Boasting a super heavy guitar tone and well thought out lengthy dirges, the band acquitted themselves well considering they were sharing a stage with one of the all-time greats of black metal.

Satyricon were simply superb. Energetic, musically flawless and boasting a curated setlist, the black metal icons delivered a set for the ages. More impressive is that most of the people on stage were session musicians – but you wouldn’t have known it as this was nothing less than a musical juggernaut. Frontman Sigurd "Satyr" Wongraven, free from a guitar for most of the set, played the rock'n'roll god to a T, leading the crowd in chants on pummelling renditions of Die By My Hand, Now, Diabolical, Black Crow On A Tombstone and the very welcome surprise inclusion of The Ghost Of Rome. Kjetil-Vidar "Frost" Haraldstad was a powerhouse on the kit, with his hypnotising double kick and hammering snares bringing To Your Brethren In the Dark and Deep Calleth Upon Deep to life.

The only low point in the set was during the fan favourite epic Mother North, at times the band seemed to have let the song get away from them and it devolved into a sonic mush. They quickly recovered however and the Now, Diabolical triptych of The Pentagram Burns, To The Mountains and KING, along with the ever catchy Fuel For Hatred sealed the deal in emphatic fashion.

Strangely Satyricon only drew a modest crowd for this outing, perhaps a product of the rescheduled tour from earlier this year. However, those present were treated to a tour de force of distilled black metal fury from a band that have always unapologetically walked their own path.