My main reason to come today is Evergrey, but having a great headliner should help too, right? 

For the whole year, I have been exceptionally lucky with the opening bands I have not known, not looked forward to seeing. And this time it is the Italian Klogr, - a very pleasant surprise and a true discovery! Thanks for bringing them on the road, Katatonia! 

It is everything I like. Hoarse voice. Minimalistic, but very smart lights support the show from the very first notes. I like everything including the intro - it is a count-in with voice. For the first time it sounds like a Nickelback that is not cheeky: a quality heavy rock. 

Are you a fan of Ghibli anime? The mainman Gabriele "Rusty" Rustichelli looks like Kamaji from Spirited Away. Gabriele is a wizard too. 

I note that Gabriele and Roberto "Piv-o" Pivanti on bass change the instruments, the sound changes. The second bass sounds much brighter with a slappy crispiness. A change back, and a very pleasant “warm” low-end. Could it be that the instruments are tied to specific effects? 

Evergrey. What do I start with? Tight. Very heavy guitar sound. Unusual type of vocals that fits it very well. A doomish Meshuggah gospel with Nevermore heaviness. A very fresh sound to me. Evergrey use big screens with visual effects - right and left and one behind them, so unfortunately we mainly see their shadows, since most of the light comes from their back. I stand mesmerized. Beautiful solos, great drumming with Simen Sandnes doing all kinds of tricks and windmilling. It is not easy to compare with any act, and I enjoy every note. 

During the break I met Gabriele from Klogr. A really nice guy (but only two hands, - so not Kamaji), he tells me he programmed the lights himself and tells me about the vocal effects. The new album is on the way soon, and the grunge sound may be back (unless I confuse something). Check them out! “Internets say” it is progressive metal, which I agree as well, - give’em support. 

Katatonia start with a difficult opener. Sometimes prog is too prog. I admire that so many people are into this, and so am I for some of the records, but lately it’s been a cartload of lullaby records that pale. To me, after the style change, The Great Cold Distance stood out, but the rest was just bleak in comparison. 

Jonas Renkse is uncomfortable onstage, moving back and forth, turning back to us. The vocals are sometimes much better than on the records, and sometimes more lacklustre. Despite the fact that there is a TC Electronic processor in front of Renkse, I do not hear any difference with the vocals when it comes to effects.  

Katatonia use the same screens as Evergrey, but that’s just visuals. Sound-wise, it is not for everyone and I would say I struggle to enjoy this pure boredom. Yes, the band has fantastic performers, the solos are great, the bassist has very interesting parts, but completely zero hooks. 

What can I say? Again, great that there are people who are that much into prog, and hope it will continue.