Words – Shelby Lane
Photo – @photo.amai
As my adult workweek came to an end, the knowledge that I wouldn’t just be seeing CHELSEA WOLFE but reviewing her felt like the long-awaited forehead kiss from the Universe. Living in a constant state of artistic limerence has its downsides, but tonight was easily one of the most rewarding moments I’ve ever experienced in my small career as a ‘music journalist’.
Once again, braving the treacherous Melbourne weather, I find myself basking in the majesty of the Forum. I could go on to list the number of acts I have been fortunate to see at the Forum but, that’s not why you’re here. I couldn’t tell whether the chill in my bones was from the cold or the relentless hum of anxiety beneath my skin. There are moments when I doubt I’ll ever fully reconcile with the things I do—but rather than surrender to the 17 voices clamoring in my head, I chose defiance over retreat, fighting my instinct to disappear.
Unfortunately, the ever-lovely UBOA was unable to support CHELSEA WOLFE on this fine evening but, we were treated to the intriguing APHIR.
APHIR possesses an effortless talent for crafting lush, celestial soundscapes that feel like the warm embrace you didn’t know you needed. Opening up her enchanting set with ‘Advice’, I was spellbound—watching this ethereal creature pirouette across the stage, weaving between her constellation of instruments with a kind of quiet magic, each step deliberate, each gesture pulling me deeper. I must admit, I was not familiar with APHIR prior to this much anticipated evening but, I can tell you, I am now a convert.
Each song carried its own distinct energy, each beat calming my restless mind and letting me drift deeper into the ocean of her sound. Transfixing me further, ‘Give You One’ pulsated throughout the venue thus invigorated the gaze of an excited crowd. APHIR radiated with her own quiet power, every beat weaving through my thoughts, untangling the noise and pulling me into her world with effortless grace. There was something dark and tangible to ‘Give You One’ that I sonically became obsessed with.
Who is this being?! I need my questions answered, please and thank you.
The glitchy yet airy beat of ‘Red Giant’ was something to marvel at as her dazzling set was progressing further launching us into her web of intrigue. At most concerts, I tend to linger in the shadows—less for the perfect view of the stage, and more to observe the crowd’s reaction. It’s like I’m chasing some odd sense of omnipotence, a strange, almost comical awareness wrapped up in my very human shell. People might assume I am some strange person for staring at them and, yes, you would be correct. However, I could tell that the crowd’s eyes were hungry and that APHIR was providing them the finest ocular and audible feast.
APHIR cheekily teased us with the promise of new music releasing on the horizon in between expressing her most ardent thanks. Her humbling nature was something to wonder and appreciate as you could definitely tell she was exceptionally happy and proud to be supporting CHELSEA WOLFE on her Australian tour. If by some divine twist I ever manage to get my act together, release my music, and somehow end up opening for CHELSEA WOLFE, I think I’d absolutely lose my mind with joy so, I feel you APHIR.
APHIR’s set can be put down as something magical. It is reminiscent of basking in the rare sunshine on an Autumn’s day. You don’t know how much you need the sun to seep into your pores until you’re already drinking it in. I implore you to do a deep dive into APHIR’s music because I think you’ll strike gold. APHIR- you were utterly brilliant.
As I sit and type my musings, I find myself staring at a photo of CHELSEA WOLFE from her powerhouse set from PSYCHO LAS VEGAS in 2017 that my brilliant friend Sally shot. As I piece together the fragments of memory and meaning, one thing is clear—CHELSEA WOLFE’s music is stitched into the very fabric of my being. I remember discovering ‘Feral Love’ on Youtube and immediately becoming obsessed. The intrigue was palpable and commanded my energy to dive deeper into her music and so, here we are. CHELSEA WOLFE’s diverse back catalogue is something to be fawned over as she has collaborated with the stunning EMMA RUTH RUNDLE, composed the soundtrack to TI WEST’s ‘X’, collaborated with CONVERGE, RUSSIAN CIRCLES, DEAFHEAVEN, XIU XIU and many more. Threading doom metal with folk, gothic rock, and raw experimental noise, CHELSEA WOLFE doesn’t just defy genre—she haunts the space between them, a maverick spirit forging her own myth. Shrouded in cascading tendrils of blue light, CHELSEA WOLFE stepped onto the stage like an apparition conjured from shadow, met by the thunderous devotion of a crowd that surged like a tide to greet her.
CHELSEA WOLFE casts a spell from the very first note, opening her set with “Whispers in the Echo Chamber”—a haunting track from her latest album, “She Reaches Out to She Reaches Out to She”, a meditative journey through change, loss, and rebirth. “She Reaches Out to She Reaches Out to She”, has been my silent companion over the past few months as my own life has completely changed. Drifting through the upheaval of change, learning to loosen my grip on the end and surrender instead to the quiet beauty of becoming.
CHELSEA WOLFE has perfected the art of unearthing buried emotions, compelling you to perform a soul-deep autopsy of feelings long laid to rest. Flowing effortlessly from “Everything Turn Blue,” “Tunnel Lights,” and “House of Self-Undoing,” the air shifted as the crowd was gently pulled into the haunting embrace of her cherished anthem, “16 Psyche.”’. The crowd swayed, entranced beneath a canopy of frantic, flickering light as I began mouthing the self imprinted lyrics ‘”I’ve spent, in different beds. Many moons and that’s the way I prefer it. I can’t”, she said I’d save you, but I can’t hide”. I can’t tell you how many times I have listened to that song but I wouldn’t be embarrassed by such a thing! It was clear the crowd moved as one, their collective breath held in eager anticipation for the next treasure CHELSEA WOLFE would unveil and may I say, we were not disappointed.
CHELSEA WOLFE ruled over her devoted followers with regal authority, transcendental presence and haunting charm whilst elegantly disarming us as she played out ‘The Culling’, ‘Dragged Out’, ‘Eyes Like Nightshade’ and ‘Survive’. My mind was buzzing with her setlist choices! Naturally, my ears sharpened as she disarmed the crowd with “Feral Love”—her signature blend of raw industrial edge and haunting experimentation.
At this point, I am left thinking ‘How else can she further spellbind us?’ because as it stands CHELSEA WOLFE’s set was nearing the brim of perfection. But then, she utterly dismantled my defenses. Donning an acoustic guitar, CHELSEA WOLFE began to lovingly serenade us with her stunning song “Flatlands’. By this point, tears had begun to gather in my eyes. ‘Flatlands’ unfolded like a sumptuous love letter—rich with longing, every note steeped in aching. CHELSEA WOLFE has the magical ability to pull at the strings of my die-hard romantic heart. The air was simply knocked out of me by following it up with further acoustic songs ‘Place In The Sun’ and ‘The Liminal’. What a transfixing and cathartic acoustic set!
Closing her set with a cherished “Thank you,” she left the sea of fans erupting in adoration—each of us stirred by the rare and unforgettable experience we’d just witnessed. But, CHELSEA WOLFE and her band came back onto the stage to bid us a proper farewell. Her parting gift to us was ‘Carrion Flowers’— An unconventional marriage of noise with its sordid, gyrating industrial drone and CHELSEA WOLFE’s heavenly vocals. Concluding her incredible set, old favourite ‘Pale on Pale’ was to be our farewell and what a fitting way to say goodbye!
There is and always will be one CHELSEA WOLFE in our lifetime so, I implore you to see her
I would like to extend my utmost gratitude and humbled thanks to Bird’s Robe, APHIR, and Queen Chelsea Wolfe for one of the most transcendental music experiences of my life.
EVERYDAY METAL – SUPPORT LOCAL HEAVY METAL
