Gig review: NORDIC GIANTS – Contemporary, Nottingham, 8 May 2015

NORDIC GIANTS - Contemporary, Nottingham, 8 May 2015

It’s not often nowadays that you go to a gig and witness something so strikingly powerful that you are drawn into, and feel like part of, the performance, The Nordic Giants have done that tonight as they blend the visuals of their self-made post-apocalyptic film clips and dramatic lighting with the dynamic soundtrack produced by the two mystical musicians and poignant narration.

Nordic Giants have been around for the past 5 years and in that in have released an evolving body of work and are now touring their first album, ‘A Seance Of Dark Delusions’ released in 2015. The two main musicians behind the band are Loki and Roka but they also work with a number of guest vocalists and musicians to complete the soundscape.

NORDIC GIANTS - Contemporary, Nottingham, 8 May 2015

The location for tonight’s gig is ideal as the industrial hard concrete walls of the main hall at the Contemporary are perfect for not only the post-apocalyptic film projections but also the all-encompassing lightshow that at times sees the musicians shadows dancing around the walls in time to the music.

Loki and Roka’s appearance onstage, clad in full black gear topped with amazing feather head-dresses, adds to the mystique and illusion of the show which from beginning to end is a full on sensory attack.

NORDIC GIANTS - Contemporary, Nottingham, 8 May 2015

Loki goes from the subtleties of piano, standout on ‘Through A Lens Darkly’, to hard on synth attacks and mixes in some haunting trumpet while Roka batters thumping manic rhythms on the drums along with bowed guitar.

NORDIC GIANTS - Contemporary, Nottingham, 8 May 2015

To describe the individual tracks is nigh on impossible as is it to characterise the music, it’s a mix of proggy synths and hard hitting drums with slow orchestral passages and the dynamics of film scores and it’s definitely a show that needs to be witnessed live to be enjoyed at its fullest as was shown by the mesmerised crowd for tonight’s show.

Setlist: Elysia Skies, Evolve Or Perish, Through A Lense Darkly, Futures Dark, Neotentie, Rapture, Together, Dark Clouds Mean War, Spirit, Dissolve.

Review and photos by Simon Dunkerley


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