Live Review: Godspeed You! Black Emperor

As the atmospherics cast a cinematic sheen over the Perth skyline, the scene was set for a performance that came heavy with expectation. Many here tonight must've thought that it might, in fact, never come at all, what with the announcement of festival and side shows over east and nary a mention of a west coast appearance. So, with the revelation in November that Godspeed You! Black Emperor would be making their way over as part of the Perth International Arts Festival, rabid fans' hearts collectively quickened.

Renowned for live shows that are tight and thunderous, the Canadian eight-piece, which has almost as many past members as it does present, announced itself with the opening live standard Hope Drone. In line with most of their output, it built slowly and powerfully until it had clasped a fist around the entire audience; this was sheer immersion on a grand scale. With the word 'Hope' continuing to flicker on and off in the background, it was a 10-minute introduction that brought perhaps the greatest compliment a band could expect from an Australian audience – near total silence. For in these parts, rarely is a band afforded the luxury of utter attentiveness, but here they commanded it. Sweeping into Mladic from last year's Allelujah! Don't Bend! Descend!, their first record in a decade, they pierced the still, soupy air with a series of violin squeals over a murderous thrum. As the swarming track exploded into life with the band's resounding dual drum attack, you got a clear sense of the brilliance of GY!BE's song dynamics. At a shade under 20 minutes, Mladic is composed of several movements and demands a meticulousness of which few bands would be capable. These musicians, though, are of a different breed, locked into each other and travelling along with their bonds set hard. It's peculiar, really, that as an observer it doesn't feel more isolating; there is no audience interaction and only the swiftest of acknowledgements. But what GY!BE presents in the live context, much like on record, is a journey, and when you join them on it you get closer to them than any trite banter could ever provide. Moya was simply beautiful, and closing track Behemoth, clocking in at a robust 45 minutes, was immense. It was a magnificent spectacle and one that will rarely, if ever, be bettered.