How do you capture the essence of doom metal gods like My Dying Bride in a live setting? You let them envelop you in their glorious misery, of course! At Summer Dying Loud 2023, they delivered “Like Gods Of The Sun” with all the grim elegance and weighty riffs you’d expect. Aaron Stainthorpe’s vocals? As haunting as a ghost in your headphone cord at 3 AM. He crooned with that gothic flair that drags you deeper into the gloom. If you missed it, I can’t help you, but let’s dive into the highlights for those who appreciate a good descent into despair.
The stage presence was classic My Dying Bride—moody, atmospheric, and very much in line with their reputation for crafting somber sonicscapes. This isn’t just about playing a song; it’s a ritual of sound, a journey through agony and melody intertwined. The band performed with the kind of synergy that only decades of existing in the doom trenches can forge. And before you ask, yes, it’s heavier than that time you dragged a Viking shield through a mosh pit.
Now, let’s talk about the crowd. Spoiler: Poland knows how to doom. The audience roared, swayed, and fully embraced the melancholy on offer. It’s not every day you see a festival crowd as engaged in gloom as they are in groove, but somewhere between the riffs and relentless emotion, they found solace and maybe a touch of existential dread. If that’s not the ultimate compliment for a doom band, I don’t know what is.
Oh, and the visuals? Perfectly aligned with the music’s dark allure. The lights painted landscapes of shadows on the stage, a fitting backdrop for the band’s cascading riffs and symphonic undertones. It’s the stuff of gothic dreams, the kind you don’t wake up from — and why would you want to? My Dying Bride doesn’t just play a gig; they craft an experience that you’ll remember long after the ringing in your ears fades.
In short, My Dying Bride’s performance at Summer Dying Loud was as heavy and heartfelt as a doomhead could hope for. They reminded us why they’re still revered as sonic alchemists of sorrow. If you ever doubted their ability to crush hearts with elegiac beauty, this set was your wake-up call. And trust me, it kicks harder than a double-bass pedal in Valhalla.
