The Touch of Anubis: When One Era Ends in the Mist So Another Can Be Born

On April 18, the Pardubice club Žlutý pes became one of the stops on Niakara's Anubis Tour, supported that evening by the bands Jacker's and Free Fall. However, this stop was not just another ordinary entry in the concert calendar. It was a night interwoven with a special, almost tangible symbolism. If this evening could be summed up in a single motif, it would be the transition through all conceivable phases of a band's life—we witnessed the fragility of new beginnings, the strength of unwavering continuation, and the bittersweetness of unexpected endings. And we also received a clear answer to the question of why it makes sense to get up from the comfort of the couch and go support live music.

About strangers and mistakes that pull you out of the online world

We live in a time when many people have become used to absolute comfort. We have lost the ability to entertain ourselves without a phone in hand, scrolling on social media has replaced real conversation, and online life has overshadowed the real one for many. Yet it is precisely because of this conservatism and reluctance toward less familiar names on posters that we miss experiences no screen can deliver. Smaller club events may not be packed like arena concerts of leading Czech rock-metal stars, but they offer something far more valuable—immediacy.

I experienced this myself immediately upon arrival. I confidently walked into the club through the completely wrong entrance. As I wandered around looking for someone with wristbands, I asked the first friendly "stranger" I met for directions. That helpful guide turned out to be the singer of the headlining band Niakara himself, Mayo Petranin. These are exactly the kinds of moments that Spotify or YouTube will never algorithmically deliver—and one day I'll remember this with a smile, thinking how clever I can be.

Free Fall: Beginnings in the fog cut through by fresh wind

The evening opened with the band Free Fall, who are currently in a phase of fresh beginnings. They recently welcomed a second voice into their ranks, provided by George Emans. Although it was only George's second concert with the band, he made excellent use of the experience he had gained in the United States. His genuine joy from every sincere fan in front of the stage was clearly visible, and his energy boosted the entire set.

However, the performance had one notable "but"—the club was flooded with an excessive amount of fog effects. The poor visibility slightly diminished the overall impression of what was otherwise a successful show. Opening the doors after the performance helped improve the situation somewhat. Sometimes it's enough just to let in a bit of fresh air for things to become clearer.

Jacker's: Absolute drive, a war council, and doors closing

The second slot in the line-up belonged to Jacker's. From the very first second, it was pure, unfiltered energy. Their incredible drive worked like a magnet, pulling visitors right up to the stage and engraving itself into the memory of everyone present. But what was happening on stage was only one side of the coin. The other was a backstage "war council," the result of which unpleasantly surprised many fans on social media the following Sunday.

Bassist David Baštrnák is leaving the band. It was an unexpected blow. His distinctive playing style and the intensity with which he performed every show—including Saturday evening's performance—were always absolutely iconic. In retrospect, this Pardubice set thus gains the bittersweet tone of the end of one era. As they say, no one knows what happens behind closed doors. For Jacker's, this means a new challenge in the form of finding a new bassist. And David has a new path ahead of him—for now he remains a member of Guns 'n' Roses Tribute Czech Republic, the only revival of this world-famous band in the country, and who knows where his steps in the music world will lead next. All that remains is to wish both sides good luck on their now separate journeys.

Niakara: Unbreakable veterans on the road (Continuation)

The highlight of the evening was Niakara, led by bass legend Zdeněk Kub, who brought their Anubis Tour to Pardubice. As part of this tour, launched last year, the band still has six planned stops ahead of them, and on stage they showed exactly why they deserve full attention.

During their set, I asked myself: what is the reason that significantly fewer people attend events like this, even though the bands have very solid repertoires? What must be acknowledged about all the performers, however, is their courage and unbreakable spirit. They have the strength to set out to meet their fans regardless of whether they are known in a given location or not, and regardless of whether the club is packed or whether, as a band member, you end up having time for a chat over a beer with the few loyal listeners who enthusiastically return that energy from beneath the stage.

Isn't it time to get up from the couch?

Saturday night in Pardubice was the essence of everything the rock-metal scene has to offer. It was doors opening to new opportunities—and doors quietly closing behind one chapter (whether that ultimately turns out to be for better or worse). If you love music, don't choose comfort. Put your online life aside for a while and go to a concert. Maybe you'll walk in through the wrong entrance, get lost, meet amazing people, and take home an experience for a lifetime. Music lives where people are willing to listen.

Text and photos: ta.s.krkavci