Envy @ Club Volta (Cologne)

As some might have noticed, I really like Envy (Here and here). They are a fantastic live band and the fact that they brought along Bossk with them on that night set the bar really high for that evening. Even Kiefer Sutherland who was playing in the Carlswerk Victoria right next door couldn’t top it.

Bossk opened the set with”Kobe” off their 2016 album Audio Noir followed by the crushing “Heliosphere“. The sound engineer did an excellent job on that night, Bossk sounded crystal clear during the quiet parts and leveled everything during the heavy riff-laden segments of “Mehnir” for example.

The setlist span nearly the full discography of Bossk, even a song from II (“Define“) was played. The massive and mediative “Lira” closed the set and everyone was more than ready for Envy.

Setlist Bossk:
Kobe
Heliopause
Define
Mehnir
Atom Smasher
Lira

Envy dove into this evening with the Atheist’s Cornea deep-cut “Footsteps in the Distance” which blended seamlessly with the opener of their most recent album “Statement of Freedom“. “Two Isolated Souls” kept the tempo until “Swaying Leaves and Scattering Breath” introduced the more melodic side of Envy.

“Zanshin” was a new song from the upcoming EP Seimei. It was a very fast, almost old-school Envy like a song with a blistering finale.

“Scene” and “Dawn and Gaze” displayed the unique beauty of Envy in the center of the setlist. “Scene” was the first song I’ve ever heard from Envy and every time I hear it I’m transported back to this moment in time. My personal highlight this evening.

“Farewell to Words” was the “official” end of the setlist and there was no way the crowd would be left with such a great but short burst of energy. After a short time “A Warm Room” enchanted the audience and gave them their final blessing for the night. Even parts of the audience of Kiefer Sutherland (who could watch from a corridor near the toilets) were in awe while seeing this.

Envy showed once again, why they are kept in such high regard in the Post-Everything-Core scene. If you ever have the chance to witness Envy, there should be no hesitating or second thoughts because they are one of the finest live bands ever to grace the stage.

Setlist Envy
Footsteps in the distance
Statement of Freedom
Two Isolated Souls
Swaying Leaves and Scattering Breath
Zanshin
Scene
Dawn and Gaze
Seimei
Hikari
Farewell to Words

Encore:
A Warm Room