I guess it was quite hard for all of us IN THE WOODS... fans, when we acknowledged few months earlier that there would be no more IN THE WOODS..., and this should be the final concert. However, I hadn't even thought of missing the chance of seeing this fabulous act live, as this would have been for sure the last chance.
Caledonian Hall is the hall of Kristiansand's most expensive and noble hotel, and I must admit that it was rather strange to see all us long-haired freaks going into the hotel, and up the stairs on the red carpet to the hall. Only around 300 people showed up, however more people in this hall wouldn't have been great at all, as it was quite packed already.
Finally, the sound of "Yearning The Seeds..." began and the band went into a really bashing version of "HEart Of The Ages". I must admit that from the first seconds I felt a shiver down my spine. The visual side of the performance was stunning, fitting lights and effects, and after only 3 songs it was clear to me that I would never regret going all the way from Denmark to see this masterpiece of a concert. Among others we got "White Rabbit" and "Mourning The Death Of Aase", and thereafter the band announced they would play the whole "Omnio" album!! After performing half of the album it was time for a break (they already played for almost 1 1/2 hour). Probably I should mention that the first part was with the old lineup? And Ovl.Swithjod didn't growl at all this evening - even the old tracks were sung with "clear" voice (which a certain part of the German audience didn't like). Time to go to the bar, where we earlier witnessed the horrible beer-prices (14DM for a normal glass of beer!). After half an hour the band entered the stage again and played the last "Omnio" tracks. After that, with members of the recent lineup, a great mixture of "Strange In Stereo" material and cover-songs were performed. IN THE WOODS... even played two new unreleased songs called "I Don't Care" and "Beer" (especially made up for the occassion! Hell yeah, I would say - considering these beer prices!), and it is close tp tragic that the audience will never hear these songs as studio recordings! As the final track arrived, all members sat on the floor and played the famoua Syd Barrett tune... and it was easy to see a certain sad mood on the stage. The sound was close to perfection all evening, and for those who missed it, - I could only feel sympathy for you!
As a side-note, it was easy to see what kind of bands IN THE WOODS... was. People from such places as Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Greece, Poland and even Peru (!) had travelled all the way from their respective countries to witness the final testimony of this brilliant act.
An amazing evening, an amazing band...
R.I.P.