IRON SAW BLADE
Disillusion (GER), Gentle Beast (SWI)
Presented by Rockfact Music Club, Jaunty Productions &
Good News Productions
Rockfact Music Club, Münchenstein, Switzerland – 17.03.2023
The German progressive Metalband Disillusion is on tour to promote their
current album „Ayam“. The title of the album is from sanskrit and means „This
one“. Existencial questions about who we are and where do we go had an
impact on the development of the fourth record and were very present in the
last years. They stopped at Rockfact Music Club in Switzerland on their journey
to Switzerland and the local band Gentle Beast became the support act. An
attractive concert by Jaunty Productions and Good News Productions
doesn’t take place every Friday night in such an ambiance. That’s why the opportunity is seized. Does progressive metal
work with stoner rock? I went to the concert to find an answer on this burning question.
The doors of the venue opened at 7 pm and Gentle Beast entered the stage after short wait. Honestly, I had no idea
what to expect, because I only knew the band name. It was getting dark at 8:10 pm and „Asteroid Miner“ opened the
evening. The group was dedicated to stoner rock with low fuzz guitars. It ain’t pure stoner rock because a dose of sludge
metal like Down, Crowbar, EyeHateGod was also part of the sound and raised the hardness level. Furthermore the sonic
brew got a short of groove and this made it more entertaining and enjoyable. Singer Timo Dinter with open shirt and
sweating upper body put his whole emotions into the singing and reminded of the legendary Glenn Danzig (ex-Misfits).
Black Sabbath and Monster Magnet were present too. The guitar section of Manu Ciofalo and Janek Huschke were
responsible for the distored guitar walls and did a great job. The Sound was transmitted in a dirty and autenthentic way
by Alex Streit and bassist Tobi Rickli what the audience confirmed with applause. It was a pleasure to see the five-piece.
You thought about the Krokus hit „Hoodoo Woman“ during „Voodoo Hoodoo“ before you realized one has nothing to do
with the other. This track was played as world premier. It became unusually bluesy and quiet "Caterpillar" for a moment,
until the walls of guitars kicked in again and you found yourself back on the road of hard sounds. During the last song
"Hit The Spliff", a big joint was taken into Timo's hands and the band members pretended to take a puff for fun. The
thing was a dummy and didn‘t contain marihuana. Otherwise all the spectators would‘ve gone flying for a round. The
musicians said goodbye to an enthusiastic audience after this song and an the hit "Low Rider" by the American
Funk/Rock/Soul band WAR sounded as an outro.
Setlist Gentle Beast
Asteroid Miner
Planet Drifter
Headcage
Toxic Times
Lodestone
Voodoo Hoodoo
Caterpillar
Endless
Hit The Spliff
An interruption occured and the stage was rearranged. A welcome opportunity to have a drink at the bar and chat with
acquaintances. The Members of Disillusion were on stage after an intro at 9:25 pm. "The Great Unknown" sounded.
Although their music was classified as progressive metal, the sound moved between the styles of death metal, progressive
metal and alternative metal. The whole thing was presented with a lot of tension. Changes between hardness and calm,
tempo followed and one felt like in the tides ebb and flow. This was a very spiritual event and the band managed to
inspire the audience with these additions. As another highlight, violin player Lea-Sophie Fischer joined the band on stage
and accompanied them on some songs, which provided more depth. The musical emphasis was on the songs from
"Ayam", but older songs were also played, such as "And The Mirror Cracked", "Times Back To Splendor", "Alone I Stand In
Fires". Meanwhile these tracks are 20 years old but didn’t lose their shine. Singer / guitarist Andy Schmidt showed a
strong vocal performance and shone with guitar solos. Guitarist Ben Haugg was also allowed to show off with guitar solos
and with vocal interludes in between."Tormento" turned out extremely well, which flattened everything like a wrecking
ball and caught us with full force. Singer Andy and his colleagues left the stage after "The Mountain". The crowd was still
fit and wanted to hear encores and demanded them loudly. Therefore the members returned to the stage and played
"Don't Go Any Further" from the album "Gloria" and "From The Embers". The guys from Leipzig were adopted with a lot
of applause from the spectators for their kickass show. A 100 minutes roller coaster of emotions which was beautiful in
every moment. Next day Disillusion played in the city of Winterthur.
Setlist Disillusion
The Great Unkown
Am Abgrund
Driftwood
And The Mirror Cracked
The Black Sea
Tormento
Alea – Kurz
Alone I Stand in Fires
Back To Times of Splendor
The Mountain
Don’t Go Any Further
From The Embers
The answer to the burning question if progressive metal and stoner rock can work is: Yes! This mixture can definitely
work and that was proven on this evening. After the concert the merchandise corner of Disillusion was visited by a lot of
people and it was great of the band members and violinist Lea-Sophie that they took time for the fans. I give them credit.
The mixers Slingi and Robert were responsible for the good mixing. Tobias Schäublin was responsible for the lighting.
Thanks to Madeleine Furer from Jaunty Productions and Good News Productions. You made the start into the
weekend enjoyable for us.
Livereport by Dominic Latscha
work with stoner rock? I went to the concert to find an answer on this burning question.
The doors of the venue opened at 7 pm and Gentle Beast entered the stage after short wait. Honestly, I had no idea
what to expect, because I only knew the band name. It was getting dark at 8:10 pm and „Asteroid Miner“ opened the
evening. The group was dedicated to stoner rock with low fuzz guitars. It ain’t pure stoner rock because a dose of sludge
metal like Down, Crowbar, EyeHateGod was also part of the sound and raised the hardness level. Furthermore the sonic
brew got a short of groove and this made it more entertaining and enjoyable. Singer Timo Dinter with open shirt and
sweating upper body put his whole emotions into the singing and reminded of the legendary Glenn Danzig (ex-Misfits).
Black Sabbath and Monster Magnet were present too. The guitar section of Manu Ciofalo and Janek Huschke were
responsible for the distored guitar walls and did a great job. The Sound was transmitted in a dirty and autenthentic way
by Alex Streit and bassist Tobi Rickli what the audience confirmed with applause. It was a pleasure to see the five-piece.
You thought about the Krokus hit „Hoodoo Woman“ during „Voodoo Hoodoo“ before you realized one has nothing to do
with the other. This track was played as world premier. It became unusually bluesy and quiet "Caterpillar" for a moment,
until the walls of guitars kicked in again and you found yourself back on the road of hard sounds. During the last song
"Hit The Spliff", a big joint was taken into Timo's hands and the band members pretended to take a puff for fun. The
thing was a dummy and didn‘t contain marihuana. Otherwise all the spectators would‘ve gone flying for a round. The
musicians said goodbye to an enthusiastic audience after this song and an the hit "Low Rider" by the American
Funk/Rock/Soul band WAR sounded as an outro.
Setlist Gentle Beast
Asteroid Miner
Planet Drifter
Headcage
Toxic Times
Lodestone
Voodoo Hoodoo
Caterpillar
Endless
Hit The Spliff
An interruption occured and the stage was rearranged. A welcome opportunity to have a drink at the bar and chat with
acquaintances. The Members of Disillusion were on stage after an intro at 9:25 pm. "The Great Unknown" sounded.
Although their music was classified as progressive metal, the sound moved between the styles of death metal, progressive
metal and alternative metal. The whole thing was presented with a lot of tension. Changes between hardness and calm,
tempo followed and one felt like in the tides ebb and flow. This was a very spiritual event and the band managed to
inspire the audience with these additions. As another highlight, violin player Lea-Sophie Fischer joined the band on stage
and accompanied them on some songs, which provided more depth. The musical emphasis was on the songs from
"Ayam", but older songs were also played, such as "And The Mirror Cracked", "Times Back To Splendor", "Alone I Stand In
Fires". Meanwhile these tracks are 20 years old but didn’t lose their shine. Singer / guitarist Andy Schmidt showed a
strong vocal performance and shone with guitar solos. Guitarist Ben Haugg was also allowed to show off with guitar solos
and with vocal interludes in between."Tormento" turned out extremely well, which flattened everything like a wrecking
ball and caught us with full force. Singer Andy and his colleagues left the stage after "The Mountain". The crowd was still
fit and wanted to hear encores and demanded them loudly. Therefore the members returned to the stage and played
"Don't Go Any Further" from the album "Gloria" and "From The Embers". The guys from Leipzig were adopted with a lot
of applause from the spectators for their kickass show. A 100 minutes roller coaster of emotions which was beautiful in
every moment. Next day Disillusion played in the city of Winterthur.
Setlist Disillusion
The Great Unkown
Am Abgrund
Driftwood
And The Mirror Cracked
The Black Sea
Tormento
Alea – Kurz
Alone I Stand in Fires
Back To Times of Splendor
The Mountain
Don’t Go Any Further
From The Embers
The answer to the burning question if progressive metal and stoner rock can work is: Yes! This mixture can definitely
work and that was proven on this evening. After the concert the merchandise corner of Disillusion was visited by a lot of
people and it was great of the band members and violinist Lea-Sophie that they took time for the fans. I give them credit.
The mixers Slingi and Robert were responsible for the good mixing. Tobias Schäublin was responsible for the lighting.
Thanks to Madeleine Furer from Jaunty Productions and Good News Productions. You made the start into the
weekend enjoyable for us.
Livereport by Dominic Latscha
