It might be a bit repetitive this one, but since the place is so small and intimate it can't be much but chaos and mayhem when you put two big (well, for the venue at least) bands on the stage. And yes, again this was a crazy concert with such closeness to the bands both sweat and spit showers hit the first row of the crowd.

PLANET RAIN looked very cramped up on the tiny stage though. Even if they're just a four-piece, the front line really doesn't allow any movement at all with an instrument. Sami Maki (guitars) and Jimmy Mattsson (bass) were deported backwards and had to fight over the space with drummer Tommy Holmer. The disadvantage with this set up was that Par Sving (vocals and guitars) didn't get as close to the crowd as PORTRAIT or ENFORCER did. Just those few inches he had to back off to make room for the mic-stand made it impossible for the rest to move on stage. All this made it a little boring to watch PLANET RAIN. You know, when you know how cool and crazy a gig can be, it's hard to settle for the second best. But musically, they did really good. Florida Death Metal with a touch of Gothenburg sound was flawlessly performed. Maybe it was the room and the sound but PLANET RAIN sounded a lot rougher and raw at Sandbacka Bryggeri compared to their recordings. A little unfortunate because the guitar work is really great and those got a little drowned in the whole picture.

With PORTRAIT the order was restored. Even if Per Karlsson was 200% in your face and out over the frontline of the crowd most of the time the stage looked extremely tiny with PORTRAIT on it. It is not built for 5 Metalheads and to watch them try to fit really was super funny. It's not an exaggeration to say that bands really need to think before they turn or even move. A careless turn could be fatal. Well, at least kick someone else off stage. It was still fascinating how they managed to get such a good sound in this venue. It was packed with 70 people still the sound was clear, balanced and the volume suited the music without being painful which normally is the case at small places like Sandbacka Bryggeri. This was bass player David Stranderud's last performance with the band. Even if PORTRAIT is a rather new band it still always feels somewhat special when it's the last time to see something. Not that this gig was more spectacular than other PORTRAIT gigs though. Everything was basically the same. Kick-ass Metal with that 80's charm, nothing is really new or unique but nothing is really stolen either. No matter what, PORTRAIT is always fun to watch and to see a band at this type of situation is a lot of fun even if the stage didn't allow any show at all.

(photos by The Adversary Erika)

PLANET RAIN

PORTRAIT