Carach Angren

Live at The Whisky a Go Go

Los Angeles, CA

February 2nd, 2016

Review and photos by Travis Baumann

Carach Angren is a symphonic black metal band out of the Netherlands. Their name is based on J.R.R. Tolkien's writings and is Sindarin Elvish for "Iron Jaws".

Their music is heavily based around orchestral arrangements and keyboard sections, giving it an epic scope. Their vocal style follows black metal standards with extreme vocals in the harsh growled variety but their lyrics are inspired by folk tales and supernatural phenomena.

I just found out about Carach Angren while investigating the opening act for Fleshgod Apocalypse's current tour and was happily surprised by the band.

Heavily made up in the corpse paint tradition of black metal, these guys have an immediately theatrical stage presence. The light was dim and moody, adding to the mystique.

The small Whisky stage was packed side to side with musicians, the lead singer front and center with drums in the back, keyboards up front to one side and guitar on the other.

Carach Angren were really fun to experience and although I did not recognize the songs due to my new fandom of theirs, I enjoyed the lengthy set.

Remaining in character through out the show, these guys had wild eyed stares and menacing facial expressions. At one point the lead singer donned a skull mask over the top of his already painted face which looked really sinister in the dark red and blue lighting.

I highly recommend checking these guys out when they come back (they are currently scheduled to accompany Marduk this fall) as they put on an awesome show.  

Here is the set list of the songs they covered this concert:

Once Upon A Time...

There's No Place Like Home

The Sighting is a Portent of Doom

Lingering in an Imprint Haunting

When Crows Tick on Windows

The Carriage Wheel Murder

Spectral Infantry Battalions

Bitte Tötet Mich

Two Flies Flew Into a Black Sugar Cobweb

Bloodstains on the Captain's Log

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