This Sunday May 7th, for the last day of the Nuits du Botanique, the venue brought a great line-up for the lovers of experimental and progressive heavy music with this double bill featuring 2 boundary-pushing-acts: the Americans Imperial Triumphant who ended their European Tour there and the new project Neptunian Maximalism who played their only second performance in this form. The performance, which took place in the Rotonde, the perfect place for this show, was a feast for the senses with both bands delivering mind-bending soundscapes and captivating visuals.
Neptunian Maximalism opened the night with a set announced of 1h15… longer than the headliner. Not usual at all but why not! This evening was meant to be different. With 3 musicians on stage: 1 guitarist-vocalist, 1 percussionist and 1 saxophonist, they gave us the feeling they were way more than 3 on stage. This Belgian band – procuded by the help of the Sabam – played a music mixing many genres from jazz to black metal, including may experimental and noise influences. One you entered the show, it was impossible to get out, even if the first song looked like a long piece of 30 minutes at least! For a second show, it was hypnotizing as f*ck. We hope it was not a one-shot just for this Spring and that they’ll continue on this.
After a short change-over and with 7 minutes in advance, Imperial Triumphant appeared on stage. All in black and with their golden mask, we can’t say if we meet the musicians backstage before or not… From the opening track Rotted Futures, we’ve been surprised by their energy and the great reaction of the public. The Rotonde may not be soldout, it’s almost the case and it’s hot as hell inside! Good for the bar, but less good for us, sweating like never before (maybe even less than the band itself?)…
Luckily for us, they prepare some champagne! But not enough for everyone. If you missed the champagne itself, you were still able to buy the bottle dedicated by the band on the merch table after the show. It’s not a Moët and Chandon but when it’s empty, who cares… The trio from New York sounded also between black metal, jazz, experimental like Neptunian Maximalism but way more brutal and less ambiant. The fact they had a drummer and all electric instruments obviously helped to give this biggest presence.
This double-bill of experimental heavy music at le Botanique was a real success. Not only we discovered a great new Belgian band but we also had the chance to catch Imperial Triumphant who gave us more than the scheduled set times for a powerful and hypnotizing show. They’ll be back in Europe this Summer, let’s hope they’ll stop in Belgium again!
