Melodic death pioneers, Dark Tranquility engulfed the crowd at the Token Lounge in the brooding majesty of their music. Along with them on this tour of the United States were Swallow The Sun, Enforcer, and Starkill. Each band showcased a unique perspective on metal music to the delight of the audience.
The show got off to an early start with Starkill from Chicago. Their new album ‘Shadow Sleep’was just released and the band included the title track and “Razor’s Edge” in their set. This band puts on a hell of a show with a ton of engaging stage presence. Those who arrived early were treated to a heaping plate of symphonic metal.
Next up was Enforcer. The band hails from Stockholm, Sweden and embraces the roots of metal reminiscent of Agent Steel, Maiden and Exciter. This band is a nuclear bomb on stage with high-energy waves of speed metal riffs and piercing heroic vocals. The crowd was completely enthralled with the band. Many heads banged with vigor to “From Beyond”, “Mesmerized by Fire”, and “Take Me Out of This Nightmare”. This band puts on an amazing show and should not be missed.
From the shadowy stage, Swallow The Sun emerge to hearty applause from the audience. Dense and physically crushing best describes the foreboding riffs this band delivered. They played a mesmerizing rendition of “10 Silver Bullets” along with the pulverizing “Silence of the Womb” and “Silhouettes”. Enthusiasm within the crowd was mirrored on the stage as you could see the band enjoying the reception that they received for their dynamic and enthralling music.
The night came to a climatic end with the arrival of Dark Tranquility to the stage. This band invented a style of metal that changed the world and seeing them on tour for their new album; ‘Atoma’ was a gift. The audience was ecstatic from the opening notes of “Force of Hand”. A few hearty fans got a pit going which met with the approval of the band. Dark Tranquility played a nice mix of new material while delving into their vast catalog. Their main set included such masterpieces as “The Treason Wall”, “Monochromatic Stains”, and “White Noise/Black Silence”. They went all the way back to the ‘Projector’ album to end their set with “Therein” to passionate praise from the fans packed close to the stage.
With a brief break, the Dark Tranquility regained the stage for a jubilant encore which was capped off with “Misery’s Crown”. For a Sunday night, this show was well attended and the audience thoroughly enjoyed each band’s performance. Dark Tranquility highlighted the timeless appeal of metal music. The sheer joy they brought to the stage is a testament to the bond between musicians and their fans.