Therion

Aesmadaeva

After skipping dinner to make it in time for an interview with Therion guitarist Kristian, we had an excruciatingly long wait for the only opening band, Aesmadaeva, who didn't take the stage until after 8:00. It was worth it, however, as the progressive symphonic metal band, fronted by the hard-working Laurie Lewis, got everyone in the proper mood for Therion's majestic, melodic metal, ending their performance with a "cover" of a 300 year old Mozart aria.

When the Therion troupe took the stage, I was surprised to see a recently familiar face. Ms. Lewis not only completed a demanding operatic set with her own band, but was now going to perform with the main act! Also surprising was the degree to which the vocal quartet, who also included King Diamond/Mercyful Fate drummer Snowy Shaw, came out front and engaged the audience and interacted with the band, sometimes a bit, ahem suggestively. In some videos I had seen, the singers stoically stand behind their microphones, so this was much more interesting to watch.

As engaging and talented as they were, the choir didn't overshadow the band itself. Mr. Johnsson and his merry men skillfully re-created the complex textures of their recorded works, with special emphasis on their newest masterwork, "Gothic Kabbalah". As Kristian promised in the interview, they didn't ignore their illustrious past either, pulling out choice tracks reaching back to "Theli", ending the show only after two encores. They clearly enjoy performing live, which they sadly don't get to do enough of in the States.

--Ruin

The Choir

Aesmadaeva