Sibyl Vane is an Estonian alternative rock band that also plays with some new wave slices, fronted by Helena Randlaht aka a whirlwind with a touch of Dave Gahan (Depeche Mode) on the vocal side. They released “Vortex”, their most experimental album so far. Fear not the album was highly acclaimed when it just came out. As there was no Belgian gig foreseen we travelled especially tot Tartu (Estonia) and will see them for the very first time since their existence as their very first album (a must have: “Love, Holy Water and TV”) was on our desk and got a good review. The Finnish opening band is unknown to us but we are always open to new sounds and discoveries, and yes: they sing in Finnish and is a female fronted rock band.
Nice thing to know is that Sibyl Vane played the presentation of their first album here, in November, 14 years ago. The place has a very Berlin minded vibe: punk and anarchistic with a great creative feel. The place used to be a basketball training spot and is now also used for theatre plays. I was lucky to meet the band whilst setting up and had a nice chat with Helena Randlaht and Heiko Leesment. Got the setlist and watched the rehearsal.
Aino & Hajonneet: start rocking from the first note and is like a train that never stops, speeding, all fuelled up, burning up, enraged and not or nearly not able to stop or slow down. Their leading lady gives it all. The sound is classic rock with a sharp edge and yes: all sung in Finnish. There was also time to play a more fragile minded song, just so sad I don’t understand any Finnish. The last song delivered a last blow, a sonic explosion, an energetic outburst, just what is needed to end a good show.
It was a great set, with a lot of positive feedback from the crowd, more then just clapping and singing along. Throwing fists in the air, jumping up, dancing, … The only personal downside is the language barrier, but I can say I enjoyed the vibes and the energy coming off from the stage.
Sibyl Vane is the reason why I came all the way from Belgium and hoping to get my name back in Estonia, and no longer to be known as the Belgian blogger who ended up on the frontpage of the Tartu Postimees as the guy who unveiled Tartu Rock was a fake festival as it didn’t take place and people who bought tickets just got thin air as Tarja and co would never perform here and none of the artist signed a contract. Only the local band knew they had to perform. Those where the days … So now back for a real concert in Tartu, closing another historic thing.
They open with one of their more energetic songs: Cluster Fuck. A Bit raw, showing off her vocals power and delivering us also a band on it’s top. We get clapping hand and fans singing along with: I Want You. Old school rock with a good vibe. I can feel the ground moving when they start to play She’s A Gun. Could be a good descriptive for their lead singer. More positive vibes comes with the catchy Cat. More rocking and rolling comes with great tracks like: Love Department, Thousand Words and must play song called Supersonic (hence playing guitar from your back). From there it goes to more recent work with the lovely and sweet sounding track Into The Sun. Despite being a new track the crowd responded well and the high vocal tones resonate in the best way.
S.O.M. sounds nice and with the title track of their newest album comes to time to add a more synth pop minded touch: Vortex. It’s clearly already a fan favorite track when I look at the response of the crowd. White Trash is a nice and sweet almost sing along song just as KIDM. An absolute banger is Circuits of Desire, despite being a new song and thus proving that the new album is an absolute hit! The people around me couldn’t stop jumping up and clap with their hands. Nice to hear also so many stories about the songs or stories from touring in between songs. Time for a more fragile side of the band with Can’t Keep It Together. On Till Dawn is a nice song to end a regular set with and yet screaming that you want to go on till down whilst shredding a guitar. I was thinking it all ends with a speeded up song, leaving us with a final blow, shredding guitars, hard hitting drums and a long woooooo … But they end with the sweet Duchess, a trembling voice and a louder and heavier ending until Helena decided to play a bit with her vocal possibilities. That was it!
The set was great and could be seen as a best off in front of their all time fans (not in their home town aka Pärnu, btw). I enjoyed it, it was for sure worth travelling that far to see them for the first time and hope to see them rock again in the future! Helena is a gun, to quote on of their own songs.
PS: Heiko was so nice to me as he got me the revamped edition of their first album with demo versions and songs that didn't get a spot on it, so i will review this soon.
Aino pics:
Sibyl Vane Pics.
