On December 3, 2023, the Columbia Theater in Berlin became the stage for a metal explosion as Fear Factory took over during their Disrup Tour. The evening promised intensity with high-profile opening acts such as Ghosts Of Atlantis, Ignea, and Butcher Babies.
Ghosts Of Atlantis: Massive Presence
The opening act was the British masters of extreme symphonic metal, Ghosts Of Atlantis. With an impressive stage presence and a interplay of dark melodies and powerful rhythms, they captivated the audience from the start. The instrumental brilliance laid a solid foundation for what was yet to come.
Ignea from Ukraine: Precise and Powerful
The metal scene in Ukraine has been on the rise not only since the Russian invasion, and Ignea impressively proved why. With precise riffs and energetic vocals, they got their message across succinctly. The performance underscored that the Ukrainian metal scene can make an impact even in challenging times.
Butcher Babies: Heidi Solo
Anticipation for Butcher Babies was high, despite Carla’s absence due to an eye operation. However, Heidi did not disappoint. Even on vocals alone, she made the Columbia Theater shake. My personal highlight? The energetically charged moshing in the circle pit that formed around Heidi.
A particularly moving moment was when they addressed the theme of mental challenges and the struggle against suicidal thoughts with »Last December«, including all those who harbor similar thoughts. Heidi not only shares that she herself had such thoughts but conveys this experience in a very relatable and understandable way. Additionally, she shares insights into how to overcome these dark thoughts. The central message is: One does not need permission or have to earn the right to a fulfilling life – life itself is already the reward.
Fear Factory: Familiarly Hard Industrial Metal
And then it happened – the undisputed kings of industrial metal finally took the stage. With an impressive 34-year history since their formation in 1989 in Los Angeles, Fear Factory has shaped the metal scene by blending hard, distorted guitars with electronic elements. The band’s familiarly hard industrial metal sound was live and up close at the Columbia Theater that evening.
With thundering beats, powerful guitar riffs, and the unique vocals of Burton C. Bell, Fear Factory captivated the audience. The stage show was not just a concert but a timeless journey through their influential career, from the beginnings to the latest tracks from »Aggression Continuum«.
Critique: Suboptimal Sound
Unfortunately, the sound at the Columbia Theater detracted from the overall experience. Suboptimal mixing and the absence of tweeters at the stage front resulted in a less appealing listening experience. The curse and blessing of my forgotten earplugs – it wasn’t too loud, but unfortunately not particularly clear either.
