Concert review: Blind Channel at Sala Apolo, 13/04/24

Blind Channel's Setlist:

DEADZONE

WHERE'S THE EXIT

Over My Dead Body

RED TAIL LIGHTS

We Are No Saints

PHOBIA

XOXO

NOT YOUR BRO

Died Enough for You

DIE ANOTHER DAY

KEEPING IT SURREAL

ONE LAST TIME...AGAIN

Violent Bob (Deja Fu)

B.Y.O.B. (System of a Down cover)

WOLVES IN CALIFORNIA

Balboa

Bad Idea

HAPPY DOOMSDAY

FLATLINE

Encore:

Dark Side

Gallery:

Opening the night were the Finnish punk-rockers Rock Band From Hell, who managed to get the crowd jumping. Tracks like 'Fed Up', 'Love You Til I Die', and 'Sex On Fire' (which earned a few rolled eyes from the public) were easy enough to listen to, highly reminiscent of bands like Green Day, albeit not groundbreaking. A highlight from them was the solo performed by drummer Mikko Nykänen. Overall, a satisfactory performance.

When Blind Channel took the stage, the atmosphere shifted instantly. The lights dimmed and cheers of anticipation surged through the crowd as the opening chords of “Dead Zone” reverberated through the Apolo. The first noticeable thing about them is their edge; they consider themselves violent pop, yet something about the way they carry themselves on stage screams emo-metalcore-rap mush. They wore eyeliner and black clothes, yet Joel Hokka and Niko Moilanen's clean vocals were delightfully reminiscent of bands like Linking Park.

"WHERE'S THE EXIT" got the crowd jumping with its murderous guitar and screams that erupted into a high-energy, melodic bridge; before they brought back one of their previous album tracks, "Over My Dead Body", and Niko Moilanen asked the crowd to echo the lyrics back to them. The next couple of tracks got heads banging, and I couldn't help but notice how distinctive their sound is, blending heavy and soft melodies that allow them to have the diverse crowd they've gathered.

Next were the German GHØSTKID, who took the stage in black costumes, white facepaint and coloured contacts. Their music blends elements of rap and hardcore rock, resulting in a unique crossover of genres.

Their recent album, "Hollywood Suicide," dragged the crowd into its intensity, a slowly filling venue captured by their aura. Soon, vocalist Sebastian "Sushi" Biesler ordered the crowd to open up, and guitarist Jan Marco 'Jappo' Heinz and bassist Stanislaw "Stanni" Czywil jumped into the mosh pit, playing inside the circle like commanding devils.

Despite the aggressive song titles like 'Murder' and 'Start a Fight', the music sounds soft at times, maintaining its appeal for the Blind Channel crowd.

We're eager to see what this band does next.

GHØSTKID in the pit

Last Saturday Blind Channel conquered Barcelona with their Exit Emotions tour at the iconic Sala Apolo in Barcelona, Spain. They're currently promoting their fifth album, "Exit Emotions," released in early March, a nice mix of their nu-metal origins and more poppy side.

Rock Band From Hell

A catchy radio played as we awaited for the main act to jump on stage, which got the crowd singing. At this point, the venue was almost at full capacity.

"PHOBIA" was one of the most expected songs of the night, and the venue lit with hundreds of phones in the air. Their craftsmanship was impressive: the versatility of both singers, who don't shy away from higher pitches, growls, rap segments, and clean tones fits effortlessly with the rich and layered instrumentals, brought together by Alex Mattson's samples. Their energy was infectious, and they made good use of the small stage, considering they had six members.

The crowd never loses its hype and the rhythm slows for "DIE ANOTHER DAY", a track they reminded the crowd was for everyone who had ever struggled with their mental health. It features RØRY, but guitarist Joonas Porko jumped on the vocals to sing that part, much to the delight of the audience.

After a brief interlude, Niko jumped on stage by himself to perform a rapping solo, and the rest of the band rejoined for an unexpected cover of System of a Down’s B.Y.O.B, which Joel finished by stating "You get the rap, you get the metal!". Finally, the moment many were expecting arrived: the song that put them on the radar of many fans, "Dark Side."

It felt like they had grown up a lot since their appearance in Eurovision in 2021, and their return after the Encore to perform the track cleared any doubts about it. "Dark Side" started strong and finished even stronger, proving that they are versatile, confident, and continuously evolving.

Overall, Blind Channel's performance was impressive, leaving a lasting impression. It is not simple for a band to maintain quality throughout five albums, let alone a repertoire that touches as many genres as their does, yet Blind Channel manage to do it. Perhaps one day we'll see them in bigger venues; for now, don't miss the chance to see them, if you can.