Faetooth Cast Their Spell on Valentines Day in London

This late winter, L.A.’s own “fairy doom” trio, Faetooth, flew in from the States for their headline European tour with support from the post-metal band Coltaine, who joined them from Germany’s Black Forest. This collaboration is a perfect match, that gets you right in your feels, which was an ideal Valentine’s Day concert date night, with the two bands casting some powerful spells on the audience over at The Garage.

Coltaine

Coltaine is a growing name within the European post-metal scene. Emerging in the post-Covid years, their fantastic 2024 debut, Forgotten Ways, opened doors to impressive onstage collaborations like the one we experienced on Saturday. Their second album, Brandung, proved they are far from a “one-hit wonder”, but consistent in their craft. Their performance at The Garage was intense and deeply moving, with the fog machine working overtime, which helped the mind transcend the confines of the front-row barricade and float into the smoky abyss.

Their sound took hold like moss on the forest ground, creeping over everything in its path and burying the listener in earthy tones that vibrated under the skin. You could feel the psychedelia flowing off the stage through a beautifully paced setlist. It is drone music that remains accessible without losing the authenticity of more obscure acts, odd in the right places, and powerful at the right moments. Looking back at the crowd, it was clear the band’s intentions were hitting home, some people were smiling, while others looked completely dissociated, lost in a meditative state or processing deeply rooted emotions.

Faetooth

Following the successful release of their second studio album, Labyrinthine, the highly anticipated UK & EU Tour promoting the new record finally arrived in London. Their sold-out show at The Black Heart last year proved they have the right pull to fill up much larger venue. During last years busy summer, I missed their Hellfest set & the Camden’s appearance, so seeing them on Valentine’s Day was a “must not miss” kind of show. It was an act of self-love, and it seemed many others had the same idea.

Their “fairy doom” is pure magic. The slow riffs that open many of their songs are like the kiss of a gentle wind that suddenly swells into a violent, pre-storm gust as the sound opens up to heavy, thundering bass. On stage, the connection between the trio is magnetic whilst they rage through the setlist. Vocally, the mix of delicate, lullaby-like musings is interrupted by piercing, harsh screams that makes the crowd gasp. Many bystanders would turn their heads over to their companions and whisper “they are so good”. That balanced dance and weaving in and out of the duality of sounds is what makes it so interesting to the listeners, as you never know what you’ll get next. This was no “sleepy” show, the room was moving.

I cannot measure the level of excitement, that came when the closing track, Echolalia, echoed through the venue. The audience screamed and sighed loudly, as if they had been holding their breath all evening only to finally exhale at the very end. It was almost as if we all participated in a collective Lion’s Breath, a powerful yoga move that helps release any tensions you may hold on to. There was much love in the room and a sweet, sweet Valentine’s Day with Faetooth.