On Friday, August 23, there was something special brewing in the air—one of those Fridays where you knew something unforgettable was about to happen. UADA, Eternal Fire, and Shrine Of Eligos were set to tear Quantic apart, and they did just that. This wasn’t just another gig; it was a deep dive, tearing through your very soul.
The night kicked off with Shrine Of Eligos, from Satu Mare, Romania, a band that, despite their recent emergence, played with the confidence and ferocity of seasoned veterans. The band hit the stage at 20:00 with an intensity that matched their music. The dim red lighting set the tone, casting long shadows that added to their already sinister aura.
Shrine Of Eligos
© Carlos Funes
Shrine of Eligos delivered a setlist that felt like an invocation of dark forces, perfectly suited to the intensity of their performance. Each track seemed to plunge deeper into the abyss, with titles like “Burning Eyes of Iblis” and “Of Formless Waters of Tehom” invoking imagery of ancient chaos and esoteric horrors.
Shrine Of Eligos
© Carlos Funes
The journey continued with “Hetoimasia Stis Floges”, a song that seemed to ignite the atmosphere. “Dakhamas of Dissolution” took the audience even further, perhaps symbolizing a descent into decay and the inevitable end of all things. “Ending the Cycle of Time” felt like a climax, a point of no return where time itself crumbles under the weight of their sonic assault. The final offering, “Oh, Great Mother of Whoredom”, served as a dark hymn to the profane, a fitting close to a set that was as sinister as it was captivating.
Following Shrine Of Eligos, Eternal Fire took the stage by 21:00. They were returning after previously performing with Septicflesh at Quantic on February 18, 2024, and with Dordeduh during their album release show on December 9, 2023. This Bucharest-based band, active since 2013, has carved a niche in the melodic black metal genre with their complex riffs and atmospheric compositions.
Eternal Fire
© Carlos Funes
Their setlist for the night was a carefully curated journey through their most evocative and powerful tracks. After the atmospheric “Intro” the band launched into “Tongue of the Dead”, setting the tone with its haunting riffs and relentless pace. “Ritualistic Drowning” followed, plunging the audience deeper into the band’s shadowy soundscapes.
Eternal Fire
© Carlos Funes
“Shores of Oneiros” added a touch of melancholy before the band delivered a one-two punch with “Beyond the Veil of Fire” and “Beyond the Veil of Flesh”, two tracks that seamlessly blended aggression with atmosphere. “Blood Monastery II” was a highlight, its complex structure and eerie melodies captivating the crowd. The set concluded with “Alchemy of Decay”, a fitting closer that left the audience lingering in the dark, reflective mood Eternal Fire had so masterfully created.
At 22:15, as the night settled into its darkest phase, UADA from Portland, Oregon (U.S) took the stage and immediately seized control of the room with their commanding presence. From the very first notes of “Snakes & Vultures”, UADA laid bare their intense dedication to dark music, immediately immersing the audience in their shadowy soundscape. When they launched into the title track from their 2020 album, “Djinn”, the experience was nothing short of breathtaking. The song, a personal favorite, unfolded live with an energy that was palpable, making the performance truly remarkable.
Uada
© Carlos Funes
The band then delved into the imposing and intricately layered “In the Absence of Matter”, a track that showcased their mastery of blending complexity with raw power. As their enigmatic performance drew to a close, UADA treated us to their now-classic tracks, “Cult of a Dying Sun” and “Black Autumn, White Spring”. I had been eagerly anticipating “Black Autumn, White Spring”, and when it finally erupted from the speakers, it was even more stunning than I could have imagined. The track soared with a ferocity and depth that was both thrilling and surreal, leaving a mark that felt uniquely spectacular. It was the kind of moment that encapsulated everything extraordinary about their live presence, and I found myself completely immersed in the haunting beauty of their music.
Uada
© Carlos Funes
As the final strains of “Black Autumn, White Spring” faded, it was clear that the night had been far more than just a concert. Shrine Of Eligos set the tone with their fiery, atmospheric performance, Eternal Fire continued the descent into melodic black metal mastery, and UADA brought it all to a breathtaking climax with their commanding presence.
