Patriarkh & Dogma live at Backstage Munich – Concert Report
- L7
- 7 hours ago
- 4 min read
Expectations: From dark liturgies to theatrical sin. What will Patriarkh and Dogma bring?
Two bands, two completely different approaches – but both high on my list. Plus two more support acts I didn’t know before. So everything was set for one of those nights where you walk out with more than you expected.
Patriarkh, the new project from the shadow of Batushka, delivers a massive, atmospheric sound on their latest release – for me, easily one of the best albums of the year so far. But can they bring that to the stage?
Dogma, on the other hand, is already visually iconic. Demonical nuns with power metal energy and theatrical edge. The album mixes heavy rock, metal, and hymn-like anthems – and if they can deliver this live, it could be a blast.
All signs pointed to a strong night.
Arrival, Merch & Beer: Signatures, fair prices and Augustiner
We arrived early, which gave us the chance to meet Dogma before the concert, get a few items signed, take some pictures, and meet a few followers from the community. Always great when that happens.
The merch was excellent. Shirts, patches, stickers, CDs – each band had something to offer, including signed items. Special mention goes to the Patriarkh shirt, which fit absolutely perfectly. Just the kind of cut I like. And at 35 € per shirt, prices were more than fair.
Beer check? As always, a win at Backstage. Those who know the venue know what to expect: multiple stages, chill vibe – and yes, Augustiner available. What more do you want? Solid 10 out of 10.
Infernal Angels – Brutal surprise opener
The night started with Infernal Angels, delivering straight-up black metal: brutal, raw, but tightly performed. I honestly had no idea there would be four bands, but their set was a great addition. People were into it from the start, horns up, full energy.
Nidhogg – Polish black metal with frontman fire
Nidhogg are from Poland – worth mentioning because there are a few bands with the same name. Also interesting: as the singer mentioned during the show, some members are also part of Patriarkh.
Musically, they went in a slightly different direction than Infernal Angels, but still clearly in the black metal sphere. The frontman was all over the place: talking to the crowd, changing outfits, moving across the stage constantly. Vocally strong – though some of the more demanding screams were affected by all the movement. Still: good guitars, solid rhythm, and definitely a band we’ll be checking out in the studio after this live impression.
Dogma – Nuns, showmanship and a growing fanbase
Then it was finally time for Dogma live – and it was exactly what the crowd wanted. As the intro hit, everyone moved closer, screaming, singing, full excitement.
They played eleven songs, each one with its own mini-show. Every member on stage gave their all, and the audience gave it right back. Here are my top three highlights:
Father I Have Sinned: The hit everyone was waiting for. The whole venue singing together, and you could see how much the band enjoys playing this song. One of the strongest moments of the night.
Banned: A tango-metal hybrid. Maybe strange when you first hear it on Spotify, but live it’s brilliant. Theatrical, fun and totally unique.
Nixe and Rusalka interacting on stage – attitude, presence and precision Bare to the Bones: A track I usually skip on the album – but live? Completely changed my mind. Especially the final part, when Lilith’s screams pushed the whole room into chaos.
Dogma didn’t just play well – they delivered a strong and polished concert. Most of the album was performed, and the fanbase is clearly growing. They’re coming back to Germany this year, and I would definitely go see them again.
Patriarkh – Smoke, ritual and overwhelming presence
Stage change. Suddenly: icons, incense, orthodox crosses, dimmed lights. The atmosphere immediately shifted into something sacred and heavy. The band entered with veiled faces, and both guitarists stepped forward. Tall, calm, impressive.
Then came Patriarkh himself, walking up to the altar. The set started just like the new album: with Wierszalin I, one of its strongest tracks. What followed was a near-complete performance of the new album, built like a black Orthodox mass. Thick smoke, ritual elements, and dramatic flow. Six additional songs from older releases followed, closing with Liturgiya, just around midnight – a powerful, celebrated finale.
This time I won’t pick a single highlight. The entire performance was the highlight:
The guitar riffs – rhythmic, in sync with the band’s movements, shifting between melodic tremolos and crushing force
The dancer – appearing during a few key tracks, adding contrast and intensity at the right moments
The dark helpers – cloaked, moving in sync behind the band, performing ritual gestures that turned the stage into a black church
And of course, the Patriarkh – that voice, that presence, that command of the room. Impressive in every way
Final thoughts: When priests and nuns rule the night together
A powerful evening with very different bands, but a shared commitment to aesthetic, concept and performance. I don’t know if all Dogma fans enjoyed Patriarkh, or if the Patriarkh crowd liked Dogma – but most of the audience clearly appreciated both, and the bands noticed that too.
More tour line-ups like this, please.
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