Primitive Man, Kollaps & So Below

After their stint in Basel, Primitive Man (US) and Kollaps (AUS/IS) return to Switzerland – this time to the Sunset Bar in Martigny. Locals So Below open the concert and manage to expertly convey the atmosphere of their down-tuned blend of post-metal and doom, despite their short playtime – and, as I learn later, technical difficulties. With Kollaps, it gets noisier and angrier; less of a wall of sound. Their minimalist setup of just a bass and a minimal drum setup is complemented by a variety of effect pedals, particularly for the vocals. I expected more strobes and a much darker performance – the bright lights of the projection and the restrained use of flashing lights were a surprise. Primitive Man might be known for their extremely loud concerts, but here they’ve definitely held back on the decibels – or maybe the bands before rivaled their volume, and we’re just used to it by now. Like Kollaps, the band decided to use a projection over the entirety of the scene to complement their performance visually: a bit more colorful than their music would suggest, sometimes reminiscent of a sun-dappled forest ground. The cave-like walls of the Sunset Bar provide nonetheless the perfect environment for all three bands.