DECEMBER 11th, 2023
FEAR FACTORY + GUESTS
Review/Photos By: Polina Kulikovskikh
Gallery: http://www.metaltitans.com/concertpics/fear-factory-guests/

On the 11th of December, Fear Factory delivered a high-energy performance at Oslo's Vulcan Arena as part of their DisrupTour, drawing a sizable and enthusiastic crowd. Sharing the stage with three other exceptional bands—Ghosts of Atlantis, Ignea, and Butcher Babies—the night promised an array of diverse musical experiences.

While not listed on the concert poster, the evening kicked off with the symphonic metal sounds of Ghosts of Atlantis, a UK-based band formed in 2019 with two full-length albums to their credit. Fans of music influenced by acts like Dimmu Borgir and Fleshgod Apocalypse are encouraged to explore their discography. Ghosts of Atlantis also plays awesome live and clearly gave it it's all this evening.

Taking the stage next were the Ukrainians of Ignea, a band hailing from Kyiv since their formation in 2013. Ignea's musical identity is a dynamic fusion of diverse metal genres, seamlessly blending symphonic metal, electronic influences, and progressive metal elements. This marked their first performance in Norway, and despite vocalist Helle Bohdanova recently recovering from illness and adhering to vocal rest, she delivered a commendable performance. While the sound quality might have benefited from improvement, the audience wholeheartedly appreciated Ignea's sincere effort and unique musical blend.

Ignea setlist:
Jinnslammer
Camera Obscura
Daleki Obriyi
Nomad’s Luck
Opiumist
Leviathan

Despite also facing some health challenges resulting in a reduced lineup with only one vocalist instead of the usual two, Butcher Babies delivered a tremendous performance right from the first moment on stage. The sound quality significantly improved, allowing everyone to fully enjoy the compelling vocals of Heidi Shepherd and the entire band. Their engagement with the fans was unwavering, highlighted by Heidi Shepherd's bold move of descending into the crowd, creating a moshing circle around her. It was an absolutely top-tier performance, and, in my opinion, the best one of the evening.

Butcher Babies setlist:
Backstreets of Tennessee
Red Thunder
Monsters Ball
King Pin
Wrong End of the Knife
It's Killin' Time, Baby!
Beaver Cage
Spittin' Teeth
Last December
Magnolia Blvd.

It was time for the headliner, Fear Factory, to command the stage. Following a brief intro, they kicked off their set with "Shock," seamlessly transitioning into "Edgecrusher" and "Recharger."

Fear Factory, with a musical journey spanning over 30 years, stands as a monumental influence on heavy metal. They have crafted groundbreaking albums, delivering powerful anthems that solidify their role as pivotal and innovative figures within the realm of extreme metal. Notably, original Fear Factory vocalist Burton C. Bell departed from the band in 2020. After a patient three-year wait, the band introduced their new vocalist, Milo Silverstro, in February 2023. Silverstro performed admirably on the harsh vocals, although the use of the effect board occasionally led to some sonic complexity. Despite this, the band showcased excellent dynamics and a tight-knit performance. During the rendition of "Martyr," Heidi Sheperd from Butcher Babies made a guest appearance to lend her vocal prowess.

All in all the gig was good, although regrettably, not everyone could stay until the very end due to the increasing number of bands and extended total playtime. Nonetheless, it's fair to acknowledge that all the bands delivered stellar performances, leaving the audience eager to welcome them back in Oslo.

Fear Factory setlist:
Shock
Edgecrusher
Recharger
Dielectric
Disruptor
Powershifter
Freedom or Fire
Descent
Linchpin
What Will Become?
Slave Labor
Archetype
Martyr
Demanufacture
Zero Signal
Replica