(Australia-based NCS contributor Tør was lucky enough to see the Melbourne stop on a recent short tour by Be’lakor, Persefone, and Orpheus Omega, and he sent in the following report, accompanied by his photos of the show, in black and white below.)
I enter The Croxton Bandroom in Melbourne on a cool early spring evening, fashionably late. The recuring infection in my left ear has just flared up, and my tolerance for nonsense is at an all-time low.
As soon as I clear the ticket counter, I am greeted by Melbourne’s Orpheus Omega who are blazing through their set. What’s on display is Australian melodic death metal at its finest: solid riffs infused with clever use of keyboards and sweeping melodies. Frontman Chris Themelco navigates the guttural and clean passages with expertise and manages to engage the crowd in the process. The band’s latest release, Emberglow, will undoubtedly please traditional melodeath worshippers as well as those who dabble in the more symphonic end of the spectrum.
Orpheus Omega
I slip almost unconsciously into the photo pit just as Persefone begin. “One Word” unfolds through the viewfinder of my camera like an ancient ritual. Precision and chaos blur: syncopation, melody, and screams that sound like meditative chants. There are moments throughout the set where it feels like I’m being pulled inward through a nightmare that someone else is having; one that I don’t want to wake up from. The band’s latest EP, Lingua Ignota: Part I (Napalm Records), is a hypnotic journey of transcendence that should be required listening.
Hometown headliners Be’lakor are up next and I’m pumped. As I describe here in my recent interview with Be’lakor’s Steve Merry, I have been looking forward to seeing these guys live for eons. They launch into “Valence” like a wild animal unchained. Guitarist/vocalist George Kosmas belches out epic tales of triumph, defeat, and redemption with authority and expertise. Beneath the fantastical lyrics lies a band who appeal to purist snobs like me: there are no extravagant visuals on display—just a simple backdrop. No sign of wireless guitar systems or in-ear monitors that I can see either. The band’s intricate compositions are delivered with a kind of unfiltered, raw authenticity that immediately stands out and commands respect. Crushing renditions of “Abeyance” and “Remnants” follow. Be’lakor walk off the stage post-encore to euphoric applause from the approximately 700 people in attendance.
As the final notes dissolve into smoke and the stage lights dim, there’s a strange stillness that settles over the room. It’s not silence but something heavier. The crowd lingers, half-stunned, reluctant to leave. No one’s talking or looking at their phones. There is a quiet reverence that only comes after experiencing something special. I walk out into the cool Melbourne night, my left ear throbbing, and realise this one is going to ring for a while.
https://belakor.bandcamp.com/
http://www.facebook.com/belakorband
https://persefone.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/persefoneband
https://orpheusomega.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/orpheusofficial