APRIL 18th, 2023
ENSLAVED + GUESTS

Review By: Metal Mom
Photos By: Char Tupper
http://www.metaltitans.com/concertpics/enslaved-guests/

Tonight at The Rickshaw Theatre, was a night I was looking forward to, a packed venue  with some amazing bands. Enslaved and Insomnium delivered a night of metal with guests Black Anvil, let's just say it was a night I wouldn't soon forget.

Opening Band tonight was Black Anvil from New York City, USA, a truly black/thrash metal, and the floor was pretty full of fans for them, a nice thing to see for the opening acts, as some shows mostly only have an audience for the main act. Surprisingly for this type of band there was not much moshing that I could see. They did a great job on stage, fans raised their horns.

Next up is Finland's very own INSOMNIUM, melodic death metal at its best. Now the crowds filled the floor even more and moshing started to take place. I was busy watching all the members up there doing what they do best, with a smile and energy beyond compare. This was absolutely amazing for me, had not seen them in awhile (and last time the lighting was very dark, so I more or less saw "sillouettes" versus the band itself) but tonight, wow, just a flawless energetic performance, and yes, vibrant lights to see them with. Before I knew it , it was over, I wanted more, they played a variety of their songs, inlcuding tracks from their latest release, "Anno 1696".  I think I will even say this live show even sounded better than the album, I don't know how that works, as the albums are produced and recorded, but tonight they went above and beyond. Just a pnenominal performance by all. Guitars were killer, they were played by masters of their craft. Drums were blasting out those beats to all of us and with skill. Vocals just topped it all off, everything was executed to the highest level, I am not even doing them justice here, there were the best I have heard in a long time. Don't take my word for it, just go see them. They will have you wanting more for sure.

Norway's progressive black/viking metallers, ENSLAVED hits the stage and you know they never fail to bring it. There was definitely moshing for them tonight. For me, I was at the back of the venue to hear them, best place in the house to get the full Enslaved mighty Norse sound. I never miss them when they come to town. They played a variety of their songs , including a bit of a change up in selection of songs, like "The Dead Stare" and "Allfǫðr Oðinn", two songs I personally haven't heard. The screams and yells from the fans though, nothing but pure joy in everyone, as they were last here in 2018, pre-pandemic, I am sure everyone was simply thrilled to see them again (and to finally here 2 new records worth of material, live!) . I am pretty sure I yelled the loudest when they played "Havenless", you see my son was there, and when he got married, that is the song they walked down to aisle to. Grutle has an unforgettable voice that can sing and have you listening intently to the song, and Hakons vocals add a whole other dimension to a song. They both bring something unique and formitable to a song. Arve "Ice Dale" Isdal has double duty on part of this tour as Ivar was delayed because of an emergency at home. Arve didn't hold back, in fact he was kicking some major ass out there, he is always one to be energetic and fun to watch, and tonight was no different, he did a fantastic job. And I might add here , the first time he has played with his shirt on.  Also Iver Sandøy who is the new drummer for Enslaved , played for the first time in Vancouver , excelled at what he does best as well, we all know drummers are the heartbeat and keep everything together, but he also provides backing vocals, and did both flawlessly.  Even though Ivar Bjørnson was not there to perform, yes we all missed him, but the band pulled it together to pull off a flawless night. Oh, I almost forgot, there was a special guest for the last song, a special treat for Vancouver . . .  Markus Vanhala of Insomnium came in and did some guitar work, what a fun bonus !

Remaining dates:
April 25 - Austin, TX - Come And Take It Live
April 26 - Dallas, TX - The Echo Lounge & Music Hall
April 28 - Atlanta, GA - Variety Playhouse
April 29 - Raleigh, NC - Lincoln Theatre
April 30 - Baltimore, MD - Baltimore Soundstage