Enemic Interior? No clue. From Catalonia? Mhhh…
But sometimes it is good to listen to those in the know. And they suggested attendance. Plus the internet (damn internet, never forgets) was having some choice words too:
Barcelona’s Enemic Interior is a band that treads the finest of lines between raw rage and an introspective sense of melody, a balance which they manage to maintain in spite of their confrontational delivery. Catalan lyrics, daring audacity, and incomparable songwriting come together to create bittersweet, desperate songs that at once seem both huge and intimate. ... their trademark sombre punk, both emotive and bleak, melodic and dark, at the place where punk, post-punk and Oi! meet.
Sounds like a reasonable promise for a Wednesday evening. So down to the Hafenklang then.
Upstairs though was quite empty and it was not really getting full, wild guess would be around 50 people. And two mates, one even made the effort on his birthday, so hugs and kisses again my dear!
Sharp at 21:13 the lads from Barcelona took the stage, very much unpretentious, and kicked it off like this:
Bang! And their signature song from their first tape in 2022.
And what a forceful delivery! A clear indication of what was coming towards the audience. For myself i felt already convinced, as this was right down my alley.
And it turned out less so much Spain per sē but more France. The shirt of the drummer was my bet no coincidence and i spotted a female guest with a Youth Avoiders shirt – same references i had in my simple mu-sick-al mind.
Enemic Interior (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 10.04.2024 (c) gehkacken.de 2024
And also for the presentation it kicked all my boxes, up to and including the centered bass that takes the main singing duties. Paired with the heavy push-forward drumming and very capable twin guitars, that carefully craft both forceful and flirting sounds (sometimes even the stereotypical Blitz sound), it was a near perfect mix.
And within that, breaking down a lot of mu-sick-al silo boundaries.
Enemic Interior (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 10.04.2024 (c) gehkacken.de 2024
They paced through all of their songs (the three EP’s carry 16 songs that sum up to only ever 23:53 minutes) and where done with their set within 25 minutes.
In an almost shy fashion they thanked the audience for coming out but the audience, having gotten into dancing mode in the latter part of the set, was not ready to let them go.
They looked a wee bit astonished towards each other and then shrugged shoulders like in “why not, though we played all of our songs“. So the lot got one more extra, a song from another band of the guitar player if i understood correctly.
And the clock was 21:42, so they strummed through 17 songs in 29 Minutes. Now that is keeping pace.
As ever when a band convinces me live i strolled (frank: ran) over to the merch table and checked what was available. And as the whole discography was on the table at a bargain price i took it all in one go. A worthy investment and i was not the only one performing an all in…
How does it sound on the brand new EP? Like this my friend, like this …
And neat Catalan lyrics too:
Corbes negres cap avall Les mans blanques al volant Prego veure el primer raig Els seus ulls al meu clatell No goso mirar el mirall No hi creia però es fa present Estela de sang i foc Sense nom però el sents venir Estela de sang i foc Fugint d’ell fins a morir Als Àngels hi pujo sol Aquest ha estat el meu camí Als Àngels hi pujo sol Al mirall em veig a mi
Black curves down White hands on the wheel I pray to see the first ray His eyes on the back of my neck I dare not look in the mirror I didn't believe in it but it is present Trail of blood and fire No name but you feel it coming Trail of blood and fire Running away from him until he died I go up to angels alone This has been my path I go up to angels alone I see myself in the mirror
You can score these beauties at our trusted local dealer Sounds Of Subterrania!
Perfect Wednesday evening, this is exactly why #thereaintnuthinbetterthanlivemusic and why you should never stop exploring new stuff (and expose yourself to the unknown).
It may be an uplifting surprise for your inner enemy (that glues you to the sofa).
