It’s one thing blasting out Antania on Itunes, but actually seeing it in the flesh, well, let’s just say nothing can fully prepare you for the sheer onslaught of straining audio fibers these two “doom bass”-metal sound killers assault you with.
Live at the Wilmington Goth Fest, “it’s the loudest thing I’ve ever heard. Like, ever!” Says a new Antania Fan. The moment the opening baseline rumbles through of Angels and Demons, I’m slightly regretting forgetting ear plugs. I’m not sad about it though. I was expecting big. I was expecting punishing, doom bass chaos. It delivered… and then some.
Video- The God Complex
But before we get into all that, in the clear light of the following day, with my hearing partially restored, it’s probably worth giving an explanation of what Antania actually is: A metal act at heart, Joshua Tree’s Dr Luna writes songs that pound with discordant rhythms and doomy bass lines. He manipulates raw audio signals into distorted, sacrificial lambs, slaughtering them with each new, crushing layer. So far, so metal, right?
Dr Luna behind the “Throne of Hades”
Right. But what’s endlessly intriguing here is the way he does it; At root, he uses the same processes and equipment as other electronic artists, but, utilising his KAT Percussion sponsorship (Dr Luna became endorsed by KAT Percussion in 2016), he designs and builds his own unique controllers, which he calls the “Throne of Hades”. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DDkD9vXJVMU/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
These machines look and sound like serial killer torture devices. His “Throne of Hades” looks like a deranged butcher’s meat slicer and creates a bass punch that sounds like the worlds ending. Luna grips, handles with his right hand and pumps it throughout the 30 min set, pummelling out beats using the KAT triggers under his hands – it’s relentless.
There’s a fair amount of geeking out over the instrumentation to be enjoyed. I mean, I can’t think of another show where, pre and post-performance, the audience lined up to take photographs of the “Throne of Hades”. Antania’s contorted energy and brutal stage presence is what brings these disparate electronic signals to life.
Kali Mortems vocals are beyond rageful and her voice adds to the total derangement of Antania. Calle Johannesson (reviewer) just listed her as one of the more powerful female vocalists. She has one of those old school black metal rasps but with pipes. She comes out on the stage wardrobed in black and veiled.
Kali Mortem in Nantes France
Antania’s agony, their concentration, sheer workload while on stage is an awe-inspiring feat of musical craft. I can’t think of anything else like it. I can’t think of another project so completely in control of a sound that is so relentlessly straining at the leash. Nothing is in the same league. It’s not even in the same timeline! I am not going to name names but a predominant band from Germany just booted Antania off the second leg of their tour as they wanted nothing to do with Antania going on before them. Antania is getting ready for the big show. Catch them HED PE on 1/17/25 in Hollywood CA and a full tour with Psyclon Nine and Ventana here.
1-17 Hollywood, CA @thewhiskyagogo
1-31 San Diego, CA @brickbybricksd
2-2 Portland, OR @startheaterpdx
2-3 Seattle, WA @elcorazonseattle
2-5 Lincoln, NE @grayskegsaloon
2-7 Detroit, MI @harposconcerttheatreofficial
2-8 Toronto, ON @thecaveto
2-19 Tampa, FL @newworldtampa
2-20 Orlando, FL @conduit_fl
2-22 Austin, TX @elysiumaustintx
2-23 Dallas, TX @ruinsdeepellum (Limbo Room)
2-25 Denver, CO @hqdenver
2-28 Mesa, AZ @niletheater
3-1 Las Vegas, NV @the_dive_lv
3-8 Los Angeles, CA @clubbarsinister
www.instagram.com/antaniaofficial
