Roadburn pulling another daring move with Seven That Spells’ Croatian Krautrock trilogy

Seven That Spells at Roadburn, photo Paul Verhagen

Sure, we could have focussed on countless impressive, taintingly ambitious projects here at Roadburn, but this one definitely caught our eye. Allowing one band to play three sets in a row in one venue, it’s daring to say the least. Croatian space-, psych- and progressive rockers Seven That Spells played their The Death and Resurrection Of Krautrock Trilogy in full in the Green Room on Friday.

Editor: Ingmar Griffioen / photo’s: Paul Verhagen

Squeezing into the packed room for the second set – IO – we are quickly struck and absorbed by the band, circling around themes and pulling us in more and more. Closing your eyes for hallucination purposes is the deal. After almost an hour the band halts, puts down their instruments, and after switching off the amps the hiss ends as well. Niko Potocnjak (guitar, synths) takes the mic to say thanks and explains: “The first set was a mistake, due to me being a perfectionist and an old fart. It was the worst show ever”, he confesses. The Roadburn audience clearly disagrees and vows to return in 40 minutes time for part 3 of the trilogy.

Seven That Spells at Roadburn, photo Paul Verhagen

The third set suffers (in terms of public interest) slightly from Anna von Hausswolff, who is totally dominating and enthralling the Roadburn Main Stage. Afterwards there is still half an hour left to once again immerse ourselves in the Croatian groove, which turned into another very rewarding ride. Their build-up game is strong and not to be denied. We thankfully give in to their powers and let the third album Omega take us on another spacious trip.

Have we witnessed the rebirth of Krautrock today? Nope, it was never dead in the first place. But this trilogy shows us just how lively it is. These albums, ranging from one to eight years old, are certainly very much alive. And the genre has so much more to offer, not in the least from young(er) bands who may not play Kraut according to strict definitions but who are definitely influenced by Can and others. Who are integrating it in their sound and by doing so are rejuvenating it or keeping the torch burning. Think Camera, Radar Men From The Moon, Suuns, King Gizzard or at this years Roadburn: LOOP, Wolvennest, Henrik Palm and Swedish electronic psych Krauters Uran, who closed the Roadburn Saturday at the Main Stage.

Roadburn probably relied on the strength of these three albums and the Croatian live powers, but it was still a pretty bold move to put this trilogy on stage. A move that played out very well. Hats off.