
Lofofora is the French flagship of the punk metal scene. They’ve been on the local scene since the early 90s, always with the same biting irony, not to mention a strong political commitment. Lofofora, depressing? No, not quite. Their latest album, Coeur de Cible, teaches us in a modest way “how to enjoy our lives when the world is rotten”. So it was with this new release and a fiery spirit that Reuno’s band embarked on a French tour at the beginning of the year to defend Coeur de Cible.
Wrensh
Accompanying them in Annemasse on 25 January was Wrensh, who warmed up the already quite full venue, with – it’s worth noting because it’s becoming increasingly rare – a relatively young audience, families included and kids with earmuffs firmly fitted in their ears. Wrench plays 37 songs in 30 minutes, with a hefty dose of distortion and saturation. So, obviously, at this rate, everything is a bit run-on and a bit similar, but it’s still enjoyable.
Welcome aboard
After an introduction that was as informative as it was funny: a parody of a steward’s safety speech, inviting people to mosh in a respectful manner while warning any potential offenders and creeps… the band can see them clearly from the stage and will not hesitate to stop the show to kick out anyone who believes they are above respecting others.
For this tour, Lofofora is focusing on their latest album Coeur de cible, opening with the excellent “Apocalypse”, on which the first of the slammers are already determined to rock the house. This time around, the sound is far less muddled and Reuno’s lyrics resonate with strength and conviction, which is all the better because that’s where the band’s strength lies. Whether it’s the old songs or the more recent ones, this thread of anger and dismay is always present. So much so that Reuno ironically suggests a new kind of confinement. Let’s all stay here together and have stuff delivered and make music. A rather tempting idea.
Core Target
The pairing of “La distance” and “A.D.Haine” also works well, with a certain simplicity. On this latest album, Lofofora has gone straight to the point and, as always, is working hard to make an impact on the listener. The Château Rouge is definitely a friendly venue. When it’s not packed to the rafters, there’s a good turnout, allowing everyone to enjoy the show as they please without being overwhelmed by the crowd.
Bassist Phil Curty and guitarist Daniel Descieux are as discreet and efficient as ever, leaving Reuno to harangue the crowd and deal with the slammers and fans who often come on stage, even climbing on his back, which doesn’t seem to bother him too much. The ultra-violent “Macho Blues” and the no less energetic “Konstat 2024” are also two of Lofofora’s most successful tracks. Lofofora navigates their almost 40-year career with ease and presents their new tracks with the enthusiasm of youth, no bitterness there.
All we need is … a revolution
Still, the crowd was happy to hear old classics like ‘Le Fond et la Forme’ to get their voices up. Lofofora isn’t the kind of band where “lalala” suffices as a chorus; there’s a bit more substance to it.
The setlist was particularly effective on this night, and it was songs from the latest album that brought the evening to a close. The title says it all: just because Lofofora takes a fair and gloomy look at the world doesn’t mean that there can’t be hope. The contrast with the feminist hymn “Maladie mortelle” is all the more striking. No encore, it doesn’t really fit in with the band’s philosophy of leaving people waiting in the dark. “Laisse Pas Faire” and its revolutionary spirit finish off the crowd and allow everyone to shout their frustration one last time.
So how to enjoy life when the world is rotten? Go see Lofofora live, you’ll feel better, that’s for sure.
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