Every so often, a performance leaves you breathless, and if there’s one thing I can confidently say about Blood Incantation’s gig at The Triffid in Brisbane, it’s that this show was nothing short of a sonic revelation. As I step into the venue, an electric tension fills the air, thick with anticipation. Fans shift in their places, cold beers in hand, as stage lights slice through the smoky atmosphere on this night of November 5th.
The evening kicks off with the opening performance from Secret Chiefs 3, and let me tell you, this isn’t your average metal band serving as a warm-up act. Instead, they welcome us into their unique soundscape right from the start.
They launch into ‘Spiritus Intelligentiae: Jophiel’, immersing the crowd in a captivating, atmospheric tempo that sets the stakes high for the night ahead. Following that, they deliver the heart-pounding track ‘Tistrya’, where the rhythm section pushes a furious pace, while the guitarist shows off a dizzying display of technical prowess that leaves the audience in awe.
Secret Chiefs 3’s tight five-member lineup then unleashes the quick-fire intensity of ‘Vajra’, before diving into the raw, metallic force of ‘Bionic’ and ‘Radar’. With exceptional variety, they bring us back into the compelling groove of ‘The 3’, showcasing their versatility and depth as musicians.
The middle section of their set feels like an outright assault on the senses. The sequence of ‘RFID Slaverider’, ‘Codex Alimentarius’, and a cover of Traditionalists’ ‘Agenda 21’ is a seamless exploration of modern life's brutality and complexities, forming a cohesive, powerful commentary that truly resonates.
Too soon, their performance draws to a close with an exhilarating trifecta that includes the epic ‘Anthropomorphosis’ sequence, starting with ‘Boxleitner’, followed by ‘Bezriel’, and culminating in the crushingly popular ‘Brazen Serpent’. Their ability to weave intricate melodies into a punishing sound leaves the audience excited and entirely primed for the chaos about to unfold.
After a thick, turbulent 30-minute intermission, the stage transforms into a sight to behold, densely packed with equipment and shadowed in minimal lighting. Before Blood Incantation even makes their entrance, the air is charged with cosmic sounds, including 'St. Elmo’s Fire', Eloy’s 'Master Of Sensation', and the wonderfully eccentric ‘Pocket Calculator’ from Kraftwerk, heralding their imminent arrival. It sets the scene for an otherworldly experience that our minds are about to embrace.
A hint of incense wafts through the air, igniting beneath the mic stand—incidentally not a candle as I initially assumed. As the flame extinguishes, the fragrant smoke spirals upward, enriching the anticipation already hanging thick in the air.
This performance marks Blood Incantation’s first headline show in Australia, and the palpable excitement unmistakably signals that we are about to witness something extraordinary. The five members of the band take their positions on stage, and everything changes dramatically when vocalist Paul Riedl snarls into the microphone. Drummer Isaac Faulk slams on his kit, creating thunderous sounds that resonate like the collapse of distant planetary cores, while guitarist Morris Kolontyrsky and bassist Jeff Barrett anchor us in the cosmic death metal vortex they are infamous for creating.
Though I should mention Nicklas Malmqvist on keys, he’s somewhat hidden in the blend of smoke and low light, making his presence elusive at this moment.
They launch into the monumental triad of ‘The Stargate [Tablet I]’, ‘The Stargate [Tablet II]’, and ‘The Stargate [Tablet III]’. The power of the music is such that the ground beneath my feet feels as though it is dissolving into vacuum; the sheer density of their sound is astonishing. This sonic barrage is followed immediately by the equally punishing sequence of ‘The Message [Tablet I]’, ‘The Message [Tablet II]’, and ‘The Message [Tablet III]’.
Crafted primarily from their latest album, 2024’s ‘Absolute Elsewhere’, the setlist feels monumentally vast. It hurtles between crushing riffs and ambient passages that let the swirling smoke linger in the air, creating an almost ethereal atmosphere. Barrett and Kolontyrsky maintain an incredibly dizzying pace, delivering a brutal sound that’s both captivating and intense. The quality of the sound itself is a treat, with every intricate riff slicing clearly through the mix. Lighting is sparse yet impactful, with strobing effects and sudden backlit blasts enhancing the dreadful ambience, making the packed equipment appear as if it were some strange, alien altar.
Once the bulk of their new material concludes, Riedl informs us that they will revisit a track from their previous visit. The glass-hard riff of ‘The Giza Power Plant’ strikes with ferocity, likened by Riedl to something “even older and way better.” The band culminates the main set with ‘The Vth Tablet (Of Enûma Eliš)’—a sprawling track that solidifies their technical supremacy. The audience clings to every moment, especially as Faulk mercilessly hammers a gong during ‘Meticulous Soul Development’, leaving us anxious for what lies beyond.
Will they return for an encore? Absolutely! They kick things off with the jarring sound of a massive gong being struck—the kind of resonance that could rattle windows. Then they obliterate us with ‘Obliquity Of The Ecliptic’ after Riedl shares a short, minimalist dialogue with the audience, even personally acknowledging an enthusiastic fan at the front.
I must admit, I appreciate the brief exchanges during the show; it allows ample space for the expansive instrumentation to shine. As these final riffs resonate, it almost feels as if the very venue could implode from the intensity radiating throughout.
As we exit The Triffid, the vibrations linger in our ears and a feeling of exhilaration fills us. This concert powerfully showcased how Blood Incantation forges an immersive cosmic death metal experience, one that commands your attention and leaves your soul feeling both punished and exhilarated.
They are nothing short of a musical marvel. The drummer’s polyrhythmic syncopation was brilliantly audacious, and Faulk’s performance touched the heights of pure, chaotic euphoria, catapulting the rhythmic frenzy into another galaxy. In short: an unforgettable night out.
For more captivating moments from the concert, check out the photos here. (https://scenestr.com.au/photos/queensland/event/BloodIncantation-TheTriffid-20251105)
Are you a fan of cosmic death metal? What are your thoughts on Blood Incantation’s approach to live performances? Feel free to share your opinions in the comments below!
