It’s often the case that artists find a single outlet for their creativity isn’t sufficient. Painting with one palette of colour does not allow them to express all of their ideas or influences. Steve Von Till is familiar to many for his work as part of genre defining post-metal behemoths Neurosis and their ambient focused offshoot Tribes Of Neurot. But his visit to the serene surroundings of the Old Church, St Pancras is as a different facet – his solo, acoustic fare.
Openers Markers set the tone with their evocative, lengthy dual guitar passages. There are shades of Godspeed You! Black Emperor in their restrained yet dramatic movements, a sense of sweetness in amongst melancholy, honey laced with salt. The two instruments speak with two different voices; one a resonant, more bass tone that fills the space, the other overarching, jangling and bright. There’s a charming subtlety and simplicity to their sound, and their riffs intertwine and lift, before flying apart, then reconciling again. They demand fixed attention spans, and the silence from the crowd is either punctuated by the odd crack of a lukewarm can of cider being opened or applause at the end of a song. As the bells of the church toll, creating the perfect intro to their final track, both audience and band laugh before regaining their composure. Lovely stuff.
For fans more familiar with Steve Von Till’s ‘day job’ with Neurosis, it will be an odd shift to see him alone, armed with an acoustic guitar and a more stripped down, folk influenced sound. It’s definitely a very laid back affair, his stage ‘banter’ giving background to the meanings and importance of different tracks. He seems almost sheepish, and there’s a charming, humble honesty to proceedings.
The set list (understandably) draws heavily from his latest release A Life Unto Itself. Tracks like ‘In Your Wings’ and ‘A Language Of Blood‘ shimmer and dance, capturing both darkness and light, melancholy, yearning and beauty equally. Older cuts like the moving ‘Beathe’ and ‘We All Fall’ stand just as tall as his newer material, insightful lyrics telling a narrative and speaking wisdom. This is all drawn together by Steve’s incredibly rich, present vocals, that fill the whole space with clarity and at times, vulnerable fragility. The church bell tolls again, and adds another perfect, atmospheric touch to the show.
A moving evening of spectacular talent in a very unique venue. An (almost) holy experience.
