Photo Credit: Kyle Finlan
For the second consecutive year, I found myself in a car, making the journey from Detroit to Chicago in November to catch the Swedish prog metal giants Katatonia. They’re the kind of band that inspires unwavering devotion—I know fans who attend five or more shows each time they are in the States, and I completely understand why. This time, they are touring in support of their latest full-length album, Sky Void of Stars. They brought along shoegazers SOM and an incredible industrial synthwave band called Gost, a discovery for me. Arriving at the venue just five minutes before the first band’s set, I checked in with the box office for my credentials. No issues there; the crew at The Forge in Joliet, IL, is top-notch. I settled in for the show.
Speaking with security, the presale ticket count was around 500, but the room was much fuller than that, even for the openers. He mentioned there were lots of walk-ups for the show. Looking at the crowd, there was a nice mix of typical metalheads and people with a more gothic vibe. Diverse lineups like this one can definitely help with attendance by appealing to a broader audience. SOM played for the first thirty minutes, delivering an introspective shoegaze vibe, including a cover of Depeche Mode. The room was essentially pitch black or bathed in green for most of the set, creating a very chill atmosphere.
SOM
Photo Credit: Kyle Finlan
After a quick changeover, Gost took the stage. This two-piece, consisting only of a bassist and a masked ghoul playing the keys, pleasantly surprised me. I was transported back to my college days, immersed in industrial music. They effortlessly fused the industrial vibe of yore with today’s synthwave, and the crowd was definitely into it. The bass was punchy, and I couldn’t help but dance a bit while in the photo pit, snapping off some shots.
Gost
Photo Credit: Kyle Finlan
Running like a well-oiled machine, Katatonia took the stage after a 20-minute set change. The crowd erupted as they appeared, and Jonas Renske’s haunting voice had the room’s full attention from the first note. Despite being down a member on this North American trek, with Anders Nystrom sitting out, the band seemed no worse for wear. The gloom and emotion were as present as ever. It might seem strange to be excited about this level of melancholy, but their live performance is so emotional and powerful—it’s great to let it wash over oneself.
After my three songs in the photo pit, I returned to take in the rest of the set near the sound booth, where everything sounded crisp. The setlist leaned towards promoting their latest effort, with five songs off “Sky Void of Stars” (and thankfully, they played “Birds,” my favorite from that album). After an hour and a half, they took their final bow for the evening, and I’m already looking forward to their return (perhaps in the Motor City next time)…
Katatonia
Photo Credit: Kyle Finlan
