Nordic Giants at Nottingham Contemporary - Photo by Stephanie Webb
A performance of both visual and audio mastery from the moment they entered the stage to the moment they left, Nordic Giants displayed the uncompromising mix of thunderous, howling music alongside fascinating, and at times apocalyptic, short films that has made their live shows so enthralling.
The tour, titled ‘7 Depths of Consciousness’, comes off the back of a series of EP’s over the last few years which culminated in the release on their latest album A Séance of Dark Delusions, and combines their post punk sound with collaborative short films intent on challenging the way we experience concerts.
Entering the stage complete with their usual attire of masquerade masks and feathered headdresses, the duo sat opposite each-other in between a small rectangular screen fitted to compliment the short films being shown behind them.
Nordic Giants at Nottingham Contemporary - Photo by Stephanie Webb
The duo were never afraid to explore the extent of their instrumental abilities, ranging from drum machines and hounding percussions to echoing guitars. Smoke machines would constantly pump an eerie mist onto the stage, which only added to an aura of intense mystique that was always building around them. In fact the only time they communicated with the audience was by bowing at the end of their performance.
It fitted the band’s intentions perfectly, as this meant the films for each track took centre stage with the duo using their music as an interpretation of each visual. It was so intricately synchronised that it often felt as though the films were using the musicians as an extension to play to the audience.
The lack of vocals left a level of ambiguity for each film, which allowed you to interpret your own meaning from each one. It was at times disturbing, but was always brilliant.
Nordic Giants at Nottingham Contemporary - Photo by Stephanie Webb
The only words communicated to us throughout the performance were a series of radio recordings and messages displayed on the visual screen. For the most part these offered philosophical insights into the meanings of some films, but at times also felt rather self indulgent (“We are all made of star dust” was one of the more preposterous quotes).
The audience’s rapturous applause after the encore said it all in the end. This was a well received, deeply fascinating and thought provoking spectacle this is definitely worth seeing if you haven’t already.
Nordic Giants performed at Nottingham Contemporary on Sunday 15 November 2015.
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