Patronaat, Haarlem, The NetherlandsApril 22nd 2005
Corvus Corax
After a windy but warm and sunny day, it cooled down and it was time to seek a warm place inside. This evening the Patronaat was a nice hide out for Corvus Corax was playing. A time to see familiar faces, for they have some huge fans in the Netherlands who won’t miss any concert if they play here. There were even fans from Belgium and England who came over just for the two Corvus Corax concerts. They attract a very varied audience, old and young, gothic, metal and many more sorts and kinds of people. All came together with one goal…. to see and hear Corvus Corax play again.
Corvus Corax
Corvus Corax seems to be become more and more known. They are even opening the Wacken Open Air festival this year with their special Carmina Burana, there is only one problem, the stage is to small for they are bringing 169 people. So they’ll have to reduce their company, but only two weeks later they’ll perform with full ensemble at the Museumsinsel in Berlin. Before these big events they had the time to visit the small but cosy Patronaat in Haarlem.
Music
After loud drums set in, which shook the entire audience awake, the show had started. The entire band entered the stage and the show had begun. After the first song set in it was one big party till the end of the show for they play with a lot of energy and their songs are mostly fast and cheerful. They are tuned in to each other very well and when they sing together it sounds great. Corvus Corax uses all sorts of ancient instruments but they do need modern technology to amplify the sound of their instruments. These modern devices are well hidden in their costumes and the only devices left to see on stage are the microphones. Corvus Corax had a very long set list as always and they played for at least two hours, they were their own opening act. The sound was fine this evening, especially for such a small venue.
After loud drums set in, which shook the entire audience awake, the show had started. The entire band entered the stage and the show had begun. After the first song set in it was one big party till the end of the show for they play with a lot of energy and their songs are mostly fast and cheerful. They are tuned in to each other very well and when they sing together it sounds great. Corvus Corax uses all sorts of ancient instruments but they do need modern technology to amplify the sound of their instruments. These modern devices are well hidden in their costumes and the only devices left to see on stage are the microphones. Corvus Corax had a very long set list as always and they played for at least two hours, they were their own opening act. The sound was fine this evening, especially for such a small venue.
Performance
Corvus Corax presents a neatly choreographed show. Each song has its own movements and placements. In their presentation there is a lot of symmetry which is a resting point for the eye which already has so much to deal with. These men wear fantastic costumes, which they make themselves. In the beginning of the show they were all wearing robes of beautiful fabrics. Then when they came back after a small break they had taken off these robes and manly warrior like outfits appeared. Besides their outfits their instruments are a feast for the eye, horns shaped like beasts and ornaments such as a garter belt attached to their bag pipes, Meister Selbfried played a small silver instrument, a nightingale, the first row found out it was filled with water for when he finished playing he swung it empty. When taking their short break they asked us to get drunk and naked, all women should stand in front and all the men in the back. But they were let down by the audience… no drunk or naked people at their return. We were told that in Germany they drink much more after which they performed their song ‘In Taberna’. The audience was asked to clap and sing along many times and they were happy to join in. There was a nice atmosphere and Corvus Corax had great contact with the audience. The lights were ood, there was enough front light but a lot of flashing light was used which could be annoying at times.
Corvus Corax presents a neatly choreographed show. Each song has its own movements and placements. In their presentation there is a lot of symmetry which is a resting point for the eye which already has so much to deal with. These men wear fantastic costumes, which they make themselves. In the beginning of the show they were all wearing robes of beautiful fabrics. Then when they came back after a small break they had taken off these robes and manly warrior like outfits appeared. Besides their outfits their instruments are a feast for the eye, horns shaped like beasts and ornaments such as a garter belt attached to their bag pipes, Meister Selbfried played a small silver instrument, a nightingale, the first row found out it was filled with water for when he finished playing he swung it empty. When taking their short break they asked us to get drunk and naked, all women should stand in front and all the men in the back. But they were let down by the audience… no drunk or naked people at their return. We were told that in Germany they drink much more after which they performed their song ‘In Taberna’. The audience was asked to clap and sing along many times and they were happy to join in. There was a nice atmosphere and Corvus Corax had great contact with the audience. The lights were ood, there was enough front light but a lot of flashing light was used which could be annoying at times.
Rating
Music 8
Performance 8
Sound 7
Light 7
Total 8 (7,7)
Music 8
Performance 8
Sound 7
Light 7
Total 8 (7,7)
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