Bristol O2 Academy, 18th March
Darkness which envelopes Finland is what fuels Blind Channel. The veritable coal to their roaring furnace of ambition, embracing it is the DNA that runs throughout their music. Balancing their tenacity with sincerity, “It’s this feeling of never being enough is what drives us forward right now,” vocalist Niko Vilhelm says.
When forming back in 2013 way up in the North of Finland, vocalists Niko and Joel Hokka, drummer Tommi Lalli, guitarist Joonas Porko & bass player Olli Matela, plus the later addition of DJ/Percussionist Aleksi Kaunisvesi – knew that it was all about going big or going home. When they were told to sing in their native tongue, they refused. It was simply never an option. The doors that closed only made them want to grab an axe to break through, The Shining style, to properly make themselves known.
And boy have they made themselves known.
Jack in a box energy from the moment they are let loose on stage. Joel Hokka – vocals & Niko Moilanen – vocals are like lightning in a bottle.
Zipping from one side of the large stage to the other. And its not just them. Joonas Porko – guitar
Olli Matela – bass are exactly the same, constantly changing / swapping places in a mesmerising blur of colour.
The set is packed with their trademark nu-metal gut punchers. Movement on stage replicated in the crowd as the energy wave travels over & consumes all it touches.
Its a set that builds in power, quality & energy as it roars to its obvious conclusion. Stand out tracks such as “Bad Idea” & “Balboa” serving as tantalising hors d’oeuvres for the main course. That main course being the Euro Anthem that catapulted the band onto the international stage “Dark Side”. With some 64 million Spotify streams you could guarantee it was going to be sung to the absolute rafters. And it was fabulous to see the band put all they had into performing it and giving the people exactly what they wanted.
Blind Channel we put our middle fingers up to you in a salute and appreciation of a great set.
@bristolnomad_gigphotography / @thebristolnomad
@thebristolnomad / @bristolnomad_gigphotography
Role: Photographer / Reviewer / Interviewer
Chief, the one that bugs the team for team for their reviews and images. Creator and founder of The Bristol Gig Guide. Can usually be found swamped in admin or getting cramp kneeling at the front of a gig.
Available for: Gig Shoots, Gig Reviews, Photo Shoots, Album and Single cover shoots, Videography work, Interviews and Touring
First attended gig: Republica, circa 1996.
First gig shot: Hands Off Gretel, at The Louisiana!
Dream gig: Huge metalhead and my ultimate dream gig would be shooting my heroes Slipknot at a huge stadium gig, or as festival headliners. And to experience shooting a headline tour outside the UK
