Mastodon and Meshuggah tracks make the atmosphere before the first band is onstage. It is the first chord, and I, as well as everyone, realize that it will not be a radiofriendly evening. It is my very first time in Goldie in Oslo. A very cool strip club in the metal heart of the city used for gigs of all kinds. 

Yawn are on, a trio with million-string guitars (headless, of course), and the stage is littered with guitar processors, pedals, profilers, and tablets. No bass, because why? It is enough of low frequencies. Tablet is used as keys and noise generator, and I suspect that midi might be involved to trigger guitar effects. I struggle to understand, whether it is rehearsed, or improvised, but it sounds quite together, there is no uncertainty on musicians’ faces. Everyone else around, though, shares the “wtf” stares. As Yawn play, some lady shoots them with a tape camera - the gig is really alternative. I am not sure, if it is the end of the transistors just got burned, the changeover begins. 

The break brings Massive Attack backtracks. Teadrop! Fantastic choice! 

Car Bomb is the act I came for today. I’ve known of them since about fifteen years ago, and now finally they are here. It is difficult to relate them to any band really. Meshuggah on steroids with ADHD? There are not many repetitions, it is much more chaotic yet so tight. The fanned bass of Jon Modell was so overwhelming that I thought it had a midi output. Very tasty gain on guitar and use of effects that make Greg Kubacki’s guitar do unearthly sounds. Solos are something of their own kind as well. Elliot Hoffman on drums makes bizarre rhythm turns yet all sounds so together. I liked when they did Metallica’s Frayed Ends Of Sanity quote. Michael Dafferner delivers versatile vocals. Goldie is not a conventional live venue, it is literally a strip club with pole and path to the stage. Perhaps, that is why the lights are not perfect, but Michael makes it even worse by asking to remove the lights that shine into musicians. Now we, the audience, only see shadows, because all the lights are from behind the stage. I know, it might be hot, but please embrace this suffering - it will give better pictures! 

It is difficult to imagine an act that fits the other two bands better, - Car Bomb are weirder than your typical mathcore band. After them even Imperial Triumphant sound less demanding. But sorry, first I have to mention that it is a mighty Sleepytime Gorilla Museum that is playing in between these bands. They all should tour together. 

It is my third Imperial Triumphant gig, so maybe I am used to this, but it sounds very relaxing and easy-listening. It is much more complex than any of the Mayhem records done with Rune Eriksen. The guys are so posh, - from the stage entry and until the end. They are the Eyes Wide Shut of avantgarde black metal. Maybe this gig had more straightforward stuff - it is really catchy, yet prog as hell, but so entertaining. 

Masks - of course. The mandatory champagne is spit in the audience. Light bulbs on bass - also check. Mysterious breaks mid-song with ambient-ish spirit and sudden blasting to resume the action - yes. Vocoder following the guitar tune for speeches - something new. 

Goldie with the noir atmosphere is a perfect fit. It is almost like from the Imperial Triumphant overtly strange videos. But give these guys a bigger stage already. And make them play late - we need to see the bulbs glow.