We were outside the Reading 3 club at Tel-Aviv's promenade, waiting for the gates to open, while Israel was still knee-deep in its latest act against Hamas, fighting Gaza for the third time in the last 6 years. So it wasn't much of a jaw dropping experience, seeing the effective iron dome at its best- exploding a Hamas missile over the night sky of a Saturday evening in Tel-Aviv. Since that's not a very unusual sight to see in times of war around here, the comedy of the scene was the amount of metal heads waiting for the gates to open, cheering and laughing when the IDF rocket blowing its mid-air target, making a bunch of tourists, and shoppers to respond with pleasant laughter at the flare and playfulness of the widespread congregation of generally tough long haired metal heads. Now, isn't that just classic surrealism? Sadly, black metal just goes well with war and violence in the background. These are times of war. And what better soundtrack for such a setting if not an evening with local bands WINTERHORDE, ARALLU, and the much respected BEHEMOTH?
 

Finally, once the mess cleared up I got inside and ordered a shot of whiskey. The openers were WINTERHORDE, who successfully deliver a worthy atmosphere, and set the correct metal mood for hellish black. The band creates interesting song structures and it shows well during their live performances. They offer a refreshing stage presence with the occasional melody whistled by their second vocalist (they're both bad ass), intriguing keyboard harmonies, and an acoustic guitar bit that the keyboardist pulls off. Their music more than satisfies the black metal enthusiasts, sounding at times like the grand beasts of the Scandinavian second wave. On the shorthand though, they still lack something's that distinct them more from the others. Anything that would brand their music as even more special or unique. It's important to clarify that nonetheless, WINTERHORDE perform and sound great, their writing's mature, and their haunting riffs and melodies undoubtedly make for a ride.
 

I ordered a second shot, and took the opportunity to start strolling through the backstage, trying to talk to whomever wants to talk to me from the bands. I remembered the last time I was backstage at Reading 3, offering ICED EARTH to smoke a joint with me before the show- and how I was painfully refused. Anyway.
 

ARALLU easily swept the crowd's attention yet they performed no more than an ok set. I have to admit that while they maintain a cool sound, reminiscent to those of the early waves of Black Metal, the riffs seem to be a bit rehashed from DARKTHRONE's worst (which is obviously still not entirely bad) and again, lack personal signature. Bands that try to reach that subtle sound that defines a genre really should focus on the nuances that give this hard-to-digest style its character. MAYHEM would never be MAYHEM without the crisp production that characterizes their sound. DARKTHONE, played riffs that set standards for the entire scene and not just shape quietly into their own discography. Quality Black Metal should define a line between using a working formula – which is fine – to one making the music sound too familiar, in a non-inviting way. For me, these standards require a spark that ARALLU are yet to find.  Overall, they pulled off a good show and the crowd interacted well to their stage presence. The percussion parts were great, but the clean vocals are just bad and repetitive.
 

I spent a few minutes with the guys from WINTERHORDE backstage discussing the Israeli Metal scene and its progress over the years. Most importantly, we've discussed its lack of actual progress, or rather one that's too slow to be blamed for other than cultural and social boundaries. In other words, Israel's still too young. There's not enough supportive sponsors. Not enough worthwhile opportunities, profitable events, not enough working bands, and even the fans are getting constantly overcharged by some of the local productions – who just seem to be greedy. A suspiciously expensive ticket plus BEHEMOTH's latest "The Satanist" was sold prior to the show for 84$, while separately- a single ticket for the show was sold for 56$, and the same cd on the spot for about 16$. Also, A BEHEMOTH hooded-shirt was being sold on the spot for 56$. That's blatantly ridiculous and these are exactly the things we've talked about backstage.
 

Blow your trumpets, Gabriel!  Third shot of whiskey and BEHEMOTH are finally on the stage. Alongside their incredible talents, the concept and aesthetics they present really show how and why they're so successful, and why they truly stand as one of the strongest acts present. BEHEMOTH is such a fun band to see live because they understand the importance of delivering an entire package. The costumes are eerie and evil, the masks are mesmerizing, and the entire stage settings contribute big time to the atmosphere. Highly effective and entertaining.
 

The performance was impeccable. BEHEMOTH plays the kind of material that succeeds in answering the modern needs and demands of the extreme metal sphere, while constantly winking to their heavier more blackened roots. Nergal simply keeps proving how inventive and progressing BEHEMOTH can be without losing the authenticity of the heavy elements. They truly shine in sounding smartly structured, layering tons of two guitar riffs next to keeping a very clean sound. The backing vocals sound like church-dog chants and fit great, while Nergal's rants are fierce and solid as always, accompanying a shredding heavy tone and many breaks. If there's any truth to the saying, that metal is mostly about saying 'fuck you, let's get loud' – then this is it folks. Almost as good as it gets.

Setlist:
1. Blow Your Trumpets Gabriel
2. Ora Pro Nobis Lucifer
3. Conquer All
4. As Above So Below
5. Slaves Shall Serve
6. Christians to the Lions
7. The Satanist
8. Ov Fire and the Void
9. Ludzie Wschodu  (Siekiera cover)
10. Decade of Therion
11. Alas, Lord Is Upon Me
12. At the Left Hand ov God
13. Chant for Eschaton
14. O Father O Satan O Sun!