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Live Report: Nader Sadek: In the Living Flesh


Egyptian-born and New York-based artist Nader Sadek is famed for his elaborate masks and stage art for metal outfits such as Mayhem and Sunn O))), and Sadek’s new project, In The Living Flesh, is no less
intricate and perfectly constructed than his former works. Through compiling top international musicians, including ex-Morbid Angel vocalist Steve Tucker (whose voice remains heavy enough to shake the ground beneath you), Sadek has orchestrated a supergroup that enthralled the audience, free of charge, at Manhattan’s Santos Party House. In The Living Flesh comprises notable black metal dignitary Rune Eriksen (Ava Inferi, Aura Noir, ex-Mayhem) on guitar, Flo Mounier (Cryptopsy) on drums, bassist Novy Nowak (ex-Behemoth, ex-Vader), Carmen Simoes on vocals (Ava Inferi and Rune’s girlfriend), and new young talent Sean Frey on guitar.

Theatrics should be incorporated into the mix of any good death metal performance, and on that front, Sadek delivered. The atmosphere was certainly foreboding: Between the hellish props displayed on stage –
an oversized throne blanketed by a camouflaged army net, chunky pieces of rubber resembling body parts smothered in black paint sprawled about, long tubes hanging from the ceiling accompanied by large,
glittering white sacs resembling crystals – and the brutally heavy songs (which were reminiscent of the consistent thuds you would hear marching straight into war or working in an iron factory), Sadek’s
intention of painting a dismal portrait of a society drenched with the insistent demand and consumption of petroleum was a success.

To top the night off, right as the performance was on its last few notes and the sounds began to slowly fade, a fight broke out toward the front of the crowd. In the dimming lights of Santos Party House, the show came to a finish with the loud, distressed shrieks of the young girlfriend of one of the assailants. It was chilling and absolutely brilliant.