Finland had just entered the darkest period of the year and soon the polar night will begin up north. While nature prepares for the long sleep, the British-Italian band The Dark paid its very first visit to Finland playing two shows on Halloween´s weekend in Helsinki and Tampere. Founded in Los Angeles in 2011, The Dark is characterised by elements of 90´s Rock, Blues, heavy industrial electronics, Goth, Glam and Punk with a special reference to Marilyn Manson.

Supported by the Fair Attempts and DJ Zynthexia, The Dark proved to deserve such name, taking possession of stage and floor of Varjobaari in a show that involved and amused the audience. In contrast to what the public usually experiences, The Dark joined the dance floor, making the audience the center of the scene. Brandon Ashely actively involved the fans in the show, singing and playing with them. Ginger Snaps-bass, improvised on stage comedy together with Lollo Savage- guitar, while Flow Toulman stoically kept beating the drums.

The heavy and catchy “Where´s your God” opened the show followed by “Strip me, Kill me”  adding some darker vibe by referring to sleep paralysis. The sound got heavier with “Angels have no wings” -second single from GHOST OF TURIN, coming out on February next year. From the same album “Nightmare on Lexington Street” was instead more goth rock and nostalgic. Varjobaari was invaded by playful dark atmosphere toward the end with “Hollywood Grindhouse” and, at the end,  the band concluded the gig with a tribute to Ozzy Osburne and Lemmy Kilmister “Hellraiser”.

The audience was thrilled and gave incredibly positive feedback to this talented and eclectic band, wishing for more shows in the near future.

ED: spare yourself the trouble to look this band up, here is the link to their youtube channel

Featured picture courtesy of The Dark