From time to time there are strange interviews with various bands that mention use of backtracks and how some say they are an important part of the show while the others say it is not acceptable. I could not understand such a focus until very recently. Today Vulkan arena is sold out for a very backtrack-heavy evening with four bands, each of which have some share of live music. 

Due to the logistics, I enter when the first act Ankor are already raising hell with a circle pit. Ankor are an interesting act with some math elements, blastbeats, breakdowns and heavy japanese influence. They are very diverse, like a much heavier Electric Callboy, but with a girl on vocals. It is not their first time here in Oslo and I hope to be able to see them again, because it was very promising.  

Solence start after a fast change. My first association is “Disco”, but it gets heavier. Keys instead of bass and keys for all the cool melodies, the band is Nu-metal, alternative, some electropunk, Finnish humpa with pop boys-band vocals. 

As a general problem of Vulkan, there is almost no guitar in the mix. This time the show is supported by sporadic lights, - looks not systematic; chaos, but fun! I have mentioned backtrack, and here is when it really starts - heavy reliance on tracks, but the keys are live and they are very cool! Their guitar player does some solos (which need more justice with a mix). I need to check the records of this band! 

Catch Your Breath share the lights installations with the previous band. And this is the act where back tracks take over literally everything. There are some drums, some vocals and tracks. Whining, annoying vocals and very unoriginal music, the band is a copy of five million identical acts “come see my laptop live”. 

It is getting quite sad, as so far the first band was the strongest. But hey, the audience loves this, and they sing the lyrics. So you might like it too. After an eternally long set, finally it is the headliner’s turn. 

The break music is spooky speeches giving Half-Life apocalyptic vibes. Very questionable choice. 

Nothing More have a cheeky intro and then literally jump onstage. THIS is the headliner. It resembles Alter Bridge, but with quite different vocals that I like. Again, it is lack of guitar and bass, and cymbals are gated by plexiglass, but it is mostly vocals and drums - I blame the venue. 

Rock? Yes. Progressive? Yes! And a very cool image! Jonny Hawkins looks like Tarzan. Mark Vollelunga on guitar is in a tailcoat that somehow resembles Fields of the Nephilim.  Very interesting effects on vocals (VERY cool play of distortion effect on high notes), all hitting all the notes, and very unexpected breaks, and damn catchy! 

The second song is inspired by Queens Of The Stone Age, but it also has a whammy solo.  Nothing More are tons more interesting than the previous band. 

On the fourth song when the band already starts, the guitar player turns from the audience to change the guitar and I note how much of the guitar is in the backing tracks.. Yeah, I hear when the real guitar starts, and it probably helps the show, but also it feels like the pre-recorded stuff is a big part of the sound.. 

Well, I do not mind the pre-recorded material, but this night had so much of it, any band could just play air instruments, and it would be close to the final product.. 

I will definitely study the records of Nothing More and Ankor - so it was a nice evening.