Sylvaine
Special Guests: Jonathan Hultén
Venue: Nalen Klubb, Stockholm.
Date: 15th November 2023
Review By: Carlos Tirado
On a bitterly cold night in Stockholm, snow begins to fall intermittently, providing a stark contrast to the simmering global temperatures. Despite the frigid weather, I find myself heading to Nalen, a captivating venue boasting XIX century architecture and impeccable acoustics. Fond memories flood my mind as I recall previous visits to witness performances by bands like Acrimonious and Batushka, complete with their original line-up. However, tonight holds a twist – Sylvaine is set to perform in Nalen’s club, a cozy yet small venue. I admit to a lingering concern that the venue’s limitations might hinder the artists from truly shining.
In Stockholm, metal shows are rarely sold out, a trend that only changed post-COVID. This scarcity presents its own advantages, allowing concertgoers to get remarkably close to the musicians, with short attendees finding unexpected perks. Now, let’s dive into what unfolded that night.
The evening started with Jonathan Hultén, former guitarist of the illustrious band Tribulation, which has enjoyed a decade-long epic run. Hultén‘s solo work, a departure from Tribulation’s style, can be best described as Folk-Rock. Alone on stage, surrounded by an arc of flowers and adorned with an elaborate dark crown, he played an acoustic guitar accompanied by seamlessly synchronized backing tracks. While not my usual genre, Hultén‘s performance captured the evening’s ambiance – slow, gentle, reminiscent of the Swedish shore in autumn. Despite my personal restlessness with the peaceful and repetitive nature of the experience, I must acknowledge how impressing it was that he held a crowd’s attention with so little for so long 
(3.5 / 5)
Now, the main act – Sylvaine immediately captivated the audience with tracks from Nova. To my relief, the venue did not hold back their fiery performance; if anything, it enhanced the sense of collective catharsis and healing. Tracks like Nowhere, Still Somewhere, Fortrapt, Mono no aware, I close my eyes and still can see, and Mørklagt took us on an emotionally intense journey, with the band leaving everything on stage. Sylvaine, undoubtedly a star, was complemented by a stellar band – the drummer showcased precision, and the backup vocals added a brutal yet fitting dimension. Occasional hiccups, such as her hair getting entangled in the guitar, were handled with absolute mastery.
Sylvaine engaged with the audience between songs, radiating a tone of genuine happiness and gratitude for our presence, especially given that it was her first time performing in Stockholm. Perhaps was the Norwegian language that sounds like pretty Swedish. Either way, her interjections added a humble touch to the performance. We even had the privilege of selecting the final song, opting for Silent Chamber, Noisy Heart. With a haze of smoke and a palpable sense of kindness, Sylvaine‘s performance concluded, marking the first time I was truly moved by a metal concert. The evening, a blend of aggression, vulnerability, humor, and kindness, shattered the stereotype of metal gigs solely as monuments of brutality. Sylvaine showcased that within a few hours, one can experience the full spectrum of emotions. We need more metal like this – Sylvaine isn’t just the artist the community deserves; she’s the one we need. If Sylvaine is coming to your city, do not miss the opportunity; it’s truly a heartfelt experience 
(5 / 5)
