Lord Belial (Ljubljana - Metelkova - 03.02.03)
Written by: Klemen Polimac

And finally they came... the mighty Lord Belial. They were supposed to come here in 1997 when they were torturing Europe with Dismember, but unfortunately it got cancelled. So it wasn't until February 2003 that they paid a visit to Slovenia. This tour was with Norway's Forlorn and our country mates Magus Noctum, who got invited to join them on tour.
I must say that I was much more anticipating the '97 tour, since that year they were promoting their godly album "Enter The Moonlight Gate", which I consider as one of the best albums of that year, if not the best one. Later ones, "Unholy Crusade" and "Angelgrinder" didn't really convince me. So with mixed emotions did I go to this show, but everything turned out just fine.

Magus Noctum opened the show. They outshined all their previous performances with this one. Dynamic, full of energy, direct... they were much better than I've remembered them. One could notice that vocalist still doesn't fell the stage as his home ground. But bass player was enjoying immensely and drummer made a good work. Guitarist stands alone in his perfection... unmatched. As it was noticed also by the Lords.
Guys definitely deserved to be on this tour with Lord Belial and I was happy for them. But unfortunately the next day this tour was over for them. After gig in Ljubljana they were gonna play in Hungary, but since that night started to snow heavily and the roads in Hungary were more or less fucked up they collided their van with Belial's and that was it. They had to return home. They were also selling their debut "Guardians Of The Desert" on this tour, so this could be an excellent promotion for them.
Anyway, at the time when I am sending this report, vocalist left the band so Magus Noctum are now looking for a new singer and second guitarist as well. It would be great if this could be in one person. Good luck fellas!
(Last news: David will be torturing also vocal chords from now on, as well as 6-string machine; 2nd guitarist is still more than welcome. Guys have also finished 6 songs for the next album and will begin with touring as soon as the new line-up is established. Recording of the 2nd album is being planned for October 2003).

And then... disappointment. Forlorn. Actually, not so much a disappointment since I wasn't expecting much from them, but this... this was pretty much below mediocre standards. Well, some years ago I had their album "The Crystal Palace" but later on I got rid of it since I just couldn't stand it. Guess that I am not the right person you can turn to, but there wasn't much feedback from the audience either. I guess none of us that night got their message through... if there ever was one… Anyway, boring, more boring... Forlorn. Let's go to the headliners instead.

Lord Belial. Ahhh, finally before my eyes! They opened with Death Is The Gate from their 3rd album "Unholy Crusade", followed by old classic Satan Divine from their "pink" debut "Kiss The Goat". Audience finally got louder and there were some feedbacks, but I could smell no frenzy. 'Cause I always imagined being on Lord Belial show would be something like fighting with 1000 angry demons or something, heart pumping like crazy, raging doom... but none of that was present. Audience more or less sucked, though Dark was trying. Well, it wasn't THAT bad but you know how it is when you have these projections. Now Poli, stop bitching and get back to the report! Oh yeah.... Well.... anyway.... Khm khm... Wrath Of The Antichrist Horde was to follow and than Dark dedicated the next song to "one of the best guitarists and to a bass player" (both from Magus Noctum, bassist actually had a birthday that day)... Enter The Moonlight Gate!! Finally, I was hooked. Steam is rising... Then we go back to the first album, Mysterious Kingdom is at our hands and Dark demands that we all headbang on this one. Your wish is our command... or not?
And the only cover song that night, Mercyful Fate's Come To The Sabbath. Shake it baby! First row is smashing their hairy tentacles through the air. Good choice! What follows is Kingdom Of Infinite Grief and another "sweetie", Lamia. And another trip to the roots.... Osculum Obscenum (oh yeah, Kiss The Goat my children). Bleed On The Cross and the show is over. Oh no. You won't get away so easily! Crowd demands more. Heh, as if they could stop now. We knew we were into few more. They came back and unleashed Lord Of Evil Spirits. And the final song that night was from their current EP as we witnessed March Of The Beast. Final cut. Over!

I think that Belial brothers did everything they could, but I'm not sure about the public. I only wished that they would play Path With Endless Horizons... eh, wishful thinking. I must say that at the end I was satisfied with the outcome. It also started to snow heavily, just as Lord Belial were getting ready to go on stage. Must be Belial's upper hand. Well, after the show I talked with them for a while, but they were.... well, how should I put it... Rather not from this Earth. At first I thought only Bloodlord has "smoked one too many", but then I realized that all of them had problems with communication that night. And I don't think that English is a barrier for them he he.
Anyway, they are on Regain Records now and have signed for three albums. They were satisfied with the going of the tour so far and actually said that this show was one of the best on this tour... wow. No comment from my side. I asked Vassago what he thinks about our Magus Noctum and he paid them compliments (all of them actually). He knew that David was in Noctiferia before but hasn't heard their latest album yet (it received very good reviews 'round the globe).

If you missed Lord Belial on this tour, than be sure to check them out next time when they come around. Great live act. Not to be missed!