Taking refuge from the February winds that aggressively tousled the meticulously crafted concert outfits of my friend and I, we walked through security towards the main amphitheater of the Mission Ballroom. As we transitioned into the darkness, heavy post-punk and purple lights slowly flooded towards us and engulfed the senses.
This cold, unforgiving winter night perfectly matched the somber but resilient vibe that Molchat Doma has so famously embodied. The Belarusian gothic synth-wave trio orchestrated an almost religious evening at the Mission Ballroom in Denver. Formed in 2017, the group has released four studio albums in total, each of which was featured in Tuesday night’s show.
The opening performance of the night was provided by post-punk LA rockers Sextile, ushering in concertgoers with an anarchic energy and spirit. Their combination of fiery vocals and percussion that made your chest vibrate and your head buzz with each beat gave this group an invigorating start.
In between the opening and main performance, late-90s David Bowie tracks reverberated through the vast arena, the hard industrial instrumentation setting the tone for the next phase of the night.
As a huge fan of dark gothic and new wave music, the intersection of these genres represented in Molchat Doma was a delight for the soul. When their track “Sudno” was gaining traction all over TikTok, I quickly fell deep in the clutches of their hypnotizing “Etazhi”, an album that was featured heavily in the concert. Dark, emotive, somber lyrics are accompanied by electric, often upbeat synths or guitar. The trio dances the fine line between dark and light, often eliciting a swell of emotion with the dynamic
The band portrayed an intensity that mystified us, lead singer Egor Shkutko’s physicality during the show brought a level of extreme concentration to the performance. Dancing with fluidity as he delivered the lyrics of poisoned love in “Chernye Tsvety” from their newest album Belaya Polosa, the group’s stage presence draws comparisons to goth and new wave greats like Joy Division, Gary Numan, and The Cure.
During a performance of one of their most recognizable tracks “Na Dne”, Shkutko held the microphone out for a crowd that, despite their enthusiasm, did not have much familiarity with the Russian language. Still, the palpable energy reinforced the passion for the group’s discography, as the post-apocalyptic reverb on the guitars and impeccable drum beats moved the crowd in mesmerizing waves.
After the group disappeared at the concert’s end, “Molchat Doma” and “Encore Encore” were repeated by the crowd clad in black, draped in outfits that could also work remarkably well for a funeral attendance. Standing among them in matching attire, I chanted along, begging for a return to the stage and another song to disappear into.