For months, it was clear that this caravan would stop in Ljubljana, and for fans of dark sounds, missing such an event was simply not an option. When I first heard the concert would take place at Menza Pri Koritu, I was surprised that a band like Combichrist would be booked there. With supporting acts of Extize - rapidly growing in popularity - alongside the mystical dark metal band Crimson Veil and the darkwave/pagan-synth duo Esoterik, the venue seemed an odd choice. These clubs typically suit underground punk bands rather than headliners at major festivals. Surely, Ljubljana offers more suitable venues for an event of this calibre. Despite everything, anticipation ran high.

Jerneja and I arrived an hour before the concert, as we had arranged interviews with Andy LaPlegua (Combichrist) and Raphael (Extize). Unfortunately, Andy cancelled at the last moment, frustrated by the venue's small stage and cramped, dirty backstage. We later learned that he nearly called off the performance entirely. The tour manager approached him multiple times, checking if he was ready for the interview, but in the end, we agreed to resolve the matter through other media - though there was little point, as our interview with Extize proved incredibly fun.

Esoterik opened the night with Allison Eckfeldt and Brady Bledsoe taking the stage. Since their formation in 2013, they have released several albums, and I highly recommend their 2022 release, Alchemy. Unfortunately, they played in a nearly empty hall, as their 6:30 PM slot meant few had arrived. Nonetheless, they delivered a strong performance for the handful of attendees. Allison commanded the stage with confidence, playfully engaging the audience while dancing continuously. I was surprised by how much heavier they sounded live compared to their recordings.

The set featured entirely new, unreleased tracks destined for their upcoming album, which Allison later revealed would lean into an even harder sound. However, I missed her usual esoteric, dramatic vocal delivery, which felt harsher in this setting, and the sound quality could have been better. Despite these drawbacks, it was a solid performance, although, instead of serving as the perfect introduction, felt more like a rehearsal for the bigger acts to follow. (Setlist: "Heresy", "Fear", "Suffering", "Cycles", "Dirt", "Honesty")

Next came the English band Crimson Veil. Vocalist Mishkin, violinist/cellist/backing vocalist Hana, drummer Anna, and guitarist Garry stood out as the most distinctive act on the tour line-up. By then, the hall had filled slightly, though not substantially. Crimson Veil opened with the excellent "Hex", delivering a mystical, seductive set. However, I couldn't help but feel its music would be better suited to a different event - something like Prophecy Fest, where its sound and aesthetic would shine more.

Crimson Veil's set consisted of five long tracks, four from the album Hex (2024) and, to me, an unfamiliar "Carve". While the band's performance was visually captivating, fully appreciating Crimson Veil's music required a different venue, ambience, and atmosphere. (Setlist: "Hex", "Shift", "Flinch", "Carve", "Opulence")

Extize, the increasingly popular Franco-German act, followed with an explosive set. Due to the venue's limitations, its performance was entirely instrumental - Raphael told Jerneja and me this before the concert; he decided to save his voice for more suitable venues but assured us it would be just as engaging - and he was right. The duo delivered a powerful mix of atmospheric dance beats and relentless electronic rhythms, resembling a high-energy DJ set. Extize's lively performance soon had nearly everyone dancing.

Songs from its newly released time-travel-themed album, DeLorean 666, proved especially exhilarating. Tracks like "MediEVIL" and the bizarre "Industrial Swing" blended genres that rarely intersect with electronic dark music. Extize masterfully demonstrated that such combinations can work. The duo's flawless performance and constant interaction with the crowd set the perfect tone, warming everyone up for the night's grand finale: Combichrist. (Setlist: "In The House - In A Heartbeat (28 Days Later)", "Killemall", "Redneck Industrial", "Guns, Gasoline & Cowbell", "The Devil Is A DJ", "MediEvil", "The Coffin Rock Witch (Remix)", "Crystal Lake Rave", "Industrial Swing", "Industrial Kombat")

I had been slightly apprehensive about how Combichrist's set would unfold, but led by charismatic frontman Andy LaPlegua, the band wasted no time proving its professionalism. Initial sound issues were quickly resolved, and from then on, the energy never dipped. The small stage limited the movement and chaos typical of Combichrist's performances - nothing like its show at Summer Breeze 2022 - but it remained tight, dynamic, and commanding. Songs from last year's album, CMBCRST, dominated the setlist and elicited a huge response, particularly the industrial metal anthem "Violence Solves Everything". I had hoped to hear "Hate Like Me", but even without it, the sheer intensity and rare energy of the band's performance made up for any omissions.

The electrified crowd was treated to 13 tracks before two encores - "Denial" from We Love You (2014) and "They" from Making Monsters (2010) - leaving fans eager for more. But for that, we'll have to wait for the next tour or catch Combichrist at an upcoming festival. (Setlist: "Declamation" (intro), "Today I Woke To The Rain Of Blood", "Throat Full Of Glass", "Get Your Body Beat", "Just Like Me", "Compliance", "Follow The Trail Of Blood", "Children Of Violence", "Can't Control", "Electrohead", "Sonic Witch", "Modern Demon", "Violence Solves Everything, Pt I", "Violence Solves Everything, Pt II (The End Of A Dream)". Encore: "Denial", "They")

Overall, I was pleased with the performances, especially those of Combichrist and Extize. It's frustrating that concerts start so early, making it difficult for attendees to arrive on time - Ljubljana's late-afternoon traffic certainly doesn't help. As a result, many missed Esoterik and Crimson Veil, both of whom deserve far more attention. After the concert, we lingered at the venue, chatting with the band members, including Combichrist's animated guitarist Jamie Cronander, who had plenty of intriguing stories to share. Until next time!

Report and photos by Tomaz
Edited by Jerneja
Links: Combichrist, Extize, Crimson Veil, Esoterik