Karmacoma End

One of my friends refuses to go to Terminal 5 for some time. Why? Is far from the subway, there are no bars nearby and inside the joint you feel like you’re trapped in a prison/old discotheque with no ventilation. I see her point but I’m suddenly oblivious to any imperfections when it comes to bands like Nine Inch Nails or ….Massive Attack who finished their live concert less than two hours ago.

Almost 20 years have passed since Massive Attack’s “Unfinished Sympathy” but hell the duo is fresh and on top of their game. Their new songs are hypnotic and addictive without giving you the feeling of selling out. The beats have strength and lightness mixed together and  nevertheless an original wrap. Out of a sudden you feel relaxed while your mind  opens. wide. Your body moves from left to right and your attention sharpens. A wide screen is blinding us with white, red, green graphics and photos but the surprise consists in various interesting quotes from John F. Kennedy, Howard Zinn, Nelson Mandela and many others.  One was saying that “obedience led us to war, slavery”. Of course I wish I could have extract myself from the human sandwich I was in and write down some of those wise thoughts  on freedom, will to change and act, rebellion and courage to say the truth.  But that would have interrupted the music flow that wrapped my body so comfortable, filling it with excitement.  It’s such a delight to witness good  live music built on quality content stripped from any fake set-ups. I’m close to use even the word original but I know it’s a label that can be easy destroyed with a bag full of references.  So maybe unique works better in this context. Massive Attack were unique tonight at Terminal 5 and managed to mix new and old tracks in a  show with guitars, magic drums, heavenly voices, 90s trip-dub hit trips. “Teardrop“, Angel”, “Risingson” were some of the songs embraced with loud screams by the audience and “Karmacoma” closed Massive Attack’s concert. Robert del Naja (3D) and Daddy G blended their distinctive voices-aggressive-ironic and whispery-dreamy with confidence and let us wanting more, much more. Maybe all of the five albums created by this band born in Bristol which is touring the entire summer promoting their latest disc “Heligoland“.

After one hour and a half I was smiling walking through the rain towards Columbus square-remembering Robert del Naja’s dance moves-with his hands rolling and then punching the air as if there was an invisible enemy.