ARCHITECTS
IWRESTLEDABEARONCE
After The Ghost Inside open up the show to a pretty empty Electric Ballroom, one of the more interesting bands on the night happen to be on the rotating bottom-of-the-bill slot. The uniquely named ‘iwrestledabearonce’ hit the stage as the Ballroom slowly fills up. Their music is a blend of just about everything from hardcore to jazz with computer game soundtrack interludes mid song. While this has done before, the quality of lead vocalist Krysta Cameron set them above their piers. The quick and manic set ends up to be one of the highlights of the night… even if you can’t really work out if you liked it or not.
OCEANO
Following them we have Oceano, who by all accounts are attracting a lot of attention and create an atmosphere of high expectation. Unfortunately it’s difficult to like a band like this unless you really know what you are listening too, but the people that do go appropriately nuts for it.
AS BLOOD RUNS BLACK
As Blood Runs Black should offer a bit more familiarity after playing London a number of times in the last year…. but with a new vocalist and guitarist it feels like a different band. They still sound as tight as ever though and definitely have a bright future ahead of themselves. Stage presence is definitely something these guys and gal have in abundance and it just makes things more exciting.
HORSE the Band
If people were unsure of their opinions of HORSE the Band before tonight’s gig, then they were definitely in for a surprise. As with ‘iwrestled…’, the sound is by no means unique, but HORSE’s take on Nintendo-core is definitely one of the most entertaining. Before even considering the music, the banter between frontman Nathan Winneke and keyboard/synth player Erik Engstrom is comedy gold as they mock the scene, the fans and Kerrang! So after Nathan has finished his bowl of noodles we are treated to an awesome set of acid trip electronicy hardcore sending the crowd into a frenzy only stopping dancing to catch their breath. Easily the most memorable set of the night.
DESPISED ICON
Easily the most anticipated band of the night is Despised Icon and from their headliner-like welcome to the very last scream, their performance is nothing short of brutal. The aggressive twin vocal assault from Alexandre Erian and Steve Marois make this way more interesting then the usual suspects in the ‘Deathcore’ (or whatever they are calling it this week) scene so it’s no wonder they have picked up the following that they have. The audience definitely come alive for the whole set with a relentless flow of crowdsurfers and it’s clear to see who the majority were here to see.
But with still the final round to go, it’s all down to Architects to deliver the final blow. The two tough acts to follow and a seemingly reduced audience don’t faze Sam Carter and team in the slightest. After a very successful year for the young Brits, their performances get better and better and they deliver a much more listenable and enjoyable set then the other heavier bands on the bill tonight, and unlike the others, as the set progresses you just want more and more.
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