Music Horizons (Sete Star Sept, Brutal Blues & Grit Teeth)
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This shall be the first input to a new column, a regular as such I hope, called Music Horizons. This is a translation to the English language from the same article in Icelandic which is my mother tongue. The title of this column sounds much more clever in Icelandic and I feel an explanation is needed. A horizon in Icelandic is sjóndeildarhringur (the half circle at the edge of your vision). The first part of the word is vision (sjón). The word for a tone, in musical terms, is tónn. When this word is then used at the beginning of a longer word it declines into tón – it looses one n. Here comes the funny part: that makes it rhyme with the before mentioned sjón. Still with me? Now, I replace sjón (vision) with tón (tone) in the Icelandic word for horizon and I get Tóndeildarhringur. The meaning of this made up word would be a horizon of music if you will.
This column will therefore touch upon new music, old music, extreme music, weird music and any music that could be fitting as something creative that possibly helps to expand one's musical horizon. Now if you have stuck with me this far I thank you. An introduction such as this is only needed once and I can move on to writing to you of my experience of a house show in Reykjavík not so long ago.
It was a Wednesday. Judging by first appearances it was as regular as Wednesdays come. I learned that a house show was taking place and starting rather early. I got there at only a few minutes past 5 in the afternoon and learned shortly thereafter that the early start was because the children in the house had their bedtime scheduled at 8 pm. So the bands on the bill started heavy and fast right on time.
The host of this concert was a young drummer from (amongst other bands) an extreme band called World Narcosis. He not only provided his home but also introduced us to the two foreign bands on the bill. World Narcosis need their own article as I witnessed drumming greatness and an epic concert of theirs earlier this summer.
First up that evening were an Icelandic hardcore band called Grit Teeth. This four piece plays incredibly entertaining and raw hardcore music. This band is currently recording their first studio album and judging by the power they bring in every concert it will be a gentle monster; sneaking up on you with its dry steps, surprising you with a heavy as thunder riff and shake you in a joyous rhythm until you can't get the smile off your face.
GRIT TEETH by GRIT TEETH
Next up were Brutal Blues from Norway. That country has long been known for some the world's most extreme heavy music and although very different from the Bergen black metal of the 90's Brutal Blues brought a fierce extremity to the stage. Let it be noted that the stage was half of a 15 m2 cellar floor. Commonly referred to as grindcore or noisecore the tonal space that this duo created was immense. Armed with only a drum set and a guitar this Norwegian duo ripped the ears apart and kept, very noticably, the eyes of the audience wide open as they watched the drummer attack the drum set so fast it felt like watching slow motion.
Brutal Blues by Brutal Blues
Last on to the cellar floor were another duo. Sete Star Sept is an extreme music partnership hailing from Japan. The drummer, Kiyasu, started taking his clothes off and it was clear he knew he had to. The singer, Kae, took the microphone and approached an old organ that stood near to the audience and up against the wall. Feedback and noise starting escalating through the system as Kae improvised (seemingly) a few notes on the organ. Then, like that type of punch you are not expecting, the music started and Kae started screaming. Her deep growls and higher screams started to bite at my face like tiny rodents. In a good way though. As Kiyasu kept going, fast and hard, Kae grabbed her bass and kept on going with them. There was a blast that didn't stop until the end. The intensity of not only the music but Kae's twirling and glaring eyes and the swirling black hair exterminating the drum set made for an unforgettable experience. The energy was mad.
Punk and hardcore shows are generally a wonderful place to be. One could be traveling through unfamiliar lands and cultures and if there is a hardcore show in town one can then rest assured that inside there will be a small group of human beings welcoming you no matter your skin color, sexual orientation, beliefs or dietary choices. All is welcome at shows like this and all is love. I often approach bands after these concerts to inform them I had a splendid time and to thank them for taking their time to be creative. It is another wonder of these shows – the closeness.
This concert was different. I suddenly found myself on the street. The concert was over and I was slowly but firmly heading back to my car. I felt confused. Someone had crashed their hands into my chest, grabbed a hold of my heart and pumped it in rhythm to extreme sounds. I spoke to no one after this show. I just felt like going home to gather my thoughts.
A song off of Sete Star Sept's 'Visceral Tavern' album is called The event was like an evil dream and I can not but agree with them.
Sacrifice by SETE STAR SEPT
