Met Bar, Lenzburg,  Switzerland – 23.08.2025

The Met Bar in the municipality of Lenzburg in Canton Aargau opened after the annual summer break again and welcomed concertgoers. An interesting program was put together to celebrate the occasion in style. A Doom metal with the two Swiss bands Oath Of Cranes and Tar Pond. My interest grew even more when I read that former Celtic Frost members play in Oath Of Cranes. And the icing on the cake is Tar Pond features ex- Coroner drummer Marquis Marky.  Of course, I didn't want to miss this evening, so I bought tickets  in advance. Then I set off with a friend.

The door opening was sceduled for 8 p.m. and Tar Pond were allowed to kick off the evening at 8:30 p.m. This melancholic doom metal band was formed in 2015 by legendary musicians from the world of metal, such as former Celtic Frost bassist Martin Eric Ain (R.I.P.). I was very excited to hear the soundtrack of brutality and the electric protocol of constant sadness. After an intro, “Bomb” was the first song to be played, and during the performance, the stage was bathed in red light. In addition, the spectators were constantly enveloped in fog, it suited the atmosphere well. Singer Thomas Ott, who was initially introverted, opened up when the music started and penetrated us with his voice. The audience applauded and enjoyed the performance. The musicians were unable to change sides due to limited space and remained in their positions. The crowd enjoyed the new songs “Blind” and “Damn,” which ended the performance. After 60 minutes playing, the members left the stage. Setlist Tar Pond Bomb Worm Slave Deaf Over Blind Damn There was a short break. This was used to get fresh air and combat dehydration. Preparation is half the battle when it comes to enjoying a live show. Headliner Oath Of Cranes took the stage at 10:10 p.m. The band from Zurich started with “Jivara” after an intro. Their sound is a raw mixture of sludge and doom metal. Singer Fabrizio Merico stood out with his look right from the start. He looked like a kind of shaman with Alice Cooper-like makeup and red paint on his face, and had a stylish microphone stand decorated with skulls and chains. He leaned over the small mixing console in front of him from time to time to sprinkle samples or took the megaphone to shout into the microphone. The music was disturbing and dark, but healing and beautiful at the same time. During the performance, the shamanic and Asian sounds put the audience into a kind of trance. This was true audio-visual art, the kind you don't often experience. The album “Unsung Mantras,” based on the Daoist-inspired concept was played and the latest LP, “No One Has The Right To Obey,” was launched. As a special promotion, the band roadie was invited on stage and informed the audience that a copy signed by the band would be hidden in the Met Bar, and whoever found it could keep it. In some songs, we were confronted with an unusual ¾ time. However, the whole thing was presented coherently and with great enthusiasm, and as a result, each song was followed by much applause. The musicians performed flawlessly and at the highest technical level at any time. Bassist Amedeo Mauriello sought out guitarists Chris Tsangarides and Erol Unala for a guitar duel that looked extremely impressive. Drummer Franco Sesa (ex-Celtic Frost) pounded the drums in the back. The band played an encore of “New World Disorder” due to the positive response from the audience.  When the show ended at 11:15 p.m., the five-piece from Zurich received a lot of applause for their interesting soundscape, which invited headbanging but also spiritual dancing. It was a great gesture to announce after the show, the band would be giving autographs and spending time with fans at the merchandise stand. If you want to experience extraordinary music, you really have to see this band live. Setlist Oath Of Cranes Jivara (The Great Fever) Where The Shame Is Missing Imbecility Begins Sharpen The Pitchfork Rudra (The Superior Proposal) The Worst Disease Puja (Celebrate The Negation Of Hope) Akasha (Everything Holy Is Profane) No One Has The Right To Obey A Demon Called Mammon Yama (Sacrifice Of Introspection) New World Disorder Afterwards, it was time to go home. Many thanks to the Met Bar team for organizing this concert. It was a pleasure to be there. Livereport by Dominic Latscha