Negative in Berlin
Berlin
September
8 2005
Photos by
Shalom and
all rights are
reserved
How do you fit six guys plus instruments in a tiny hole in the wall club with a stage that isn't even half the size of Brixton Academy?
9pm, September 8th 2005..it looked like we were going to find out.

The Venue: Columbia Club, Berlin.

The Hype: Negative, supporting Black Sonic Prophets.

It could have been a train wreck, infact it had every potential of being so, with Jonne, Sir Christos, Larry, Antti, Jay and Snack plus
keyboards, drums, bass, guitars and we can't forget Jonne's sparkly pink and purple things hanging from his microphone.. I still sit
here amazed that the guys didn't run in to each other, across each other, over each other or fall off the stage, but somehow they
didn't. Organised chaos, bright colours and a mish mash of melodic songs, a night in with Negative what more could you ask for?

From the very second these guys hit the stage, the crowd went in to uproar and although this was Negative's first tour in Germany
their fan base is already strong and sure to be rapidly expanding after performances like this. With hits such as 'Still Alive', 'The
Moment Of Our Love', 'Frozen To Lose It All', 'In My Heaven', and 'Goodbye',  Jonne and the boys took us through a whirlwind
journey or pain, love and heartbreak, truly earning the title of Love Metal

Even though Negative have been together for a long time already, they
show a beauitful example of six guys who know each other so well that
they can predict each other's every movement and bounce and react to it
without missing a beat, creating a mesmerising display that I couldn't take
my eyes off.

'Still Alive' was one of the highlights of the night and it is performances
such as these that make me realise that sometimes an album really does
not do a band justice. This song was perfect, every haunting note of lyrics
penned by a fifteen year old looking for an escape. I could feel his emotion
and the crowd stood there captivated, unable to look away from the sight
of this slight blonde man revealing his soul for the audience to see.

Jonne's performance was amazing, but this isn't a one man band and the
other guys weren't overshadowed. Larry is an example of every rock
chick's dream with his fuzzy hair hiding his face and endless six string
talent..Slash fans eat your heart out. Sir Christos who is possibly the only
guitarist I have ever seen who can wear bright pink and orange at the same time and still look and sound good. Antti, this man reminds
me a lot of watching Virus of 'Dope' perform, he has a profound energy that inspires nothing less than awe and as for Jay and Snack,
(from my position in the crowd, I could not see them so well,) but they sure sounded great!
Hands down, this was the best concert that I have attended in quite a
few recent months and if you still don't know who these Finnish boys
are, crawl out from under that fucking rock and get a clue!