[LIVE REVIEW] MENTAL CAVITY + SUMMONUS + LORD SWORD + BURDEN MAN

at Frankie’s Pizza By The Slice, Sydney, Sunday, 15^th October 2017

Review by Derek J. Huckel
Photos by Rod Hunt Photography, and Restricted Photography

Frankie’s is a great live venue though unusual but maybe that gives it that certain something, its ‘jena se quois’ - appealing quality. You have the serious gig goers – there to see the music, then the blow in tourists staying nearby at a hotel, or in the city for the day. The mix of people makes it fun but odd. And ya’ gotta love velvet curtain that is opened and closed at the start and end of each band on the small stage.

Burden Man describe themselves as ‘existential doom folk’ and that nails them quite well. I unfortunately missed some of their set but what I saw was quite riveting.The three-piece played ‘Shadows of the Dying’, ‘Trenches’, and ‘Burden Man’. Their tunes are like a dream state, very thoughtful slow doom, each note seems well thought out and precise. Vocalist and guitarist Justin has a voice that is quite sonorous with a most striking timbre. The bands imploded into wall of feedback, just as guitar strings were breaking, so it ended on a pretty good note (no pun intended).

Lord Sword are heavy duty riffage! If you’d like your face grinded and smoked, then these are your band! It’s a heady mix of heavy stoner rock that grooves a cool sludgy jam.

Lord Sword - www.rodhunt.com.au

Lord Sword - www.rodhunt.com.au

Jimmy Fatal wields the monster guitar, Mr Stooks stool was taken tonight by Andres (from Sumeru) on drums, and Luke is their master on bass, and vocalist Cory has a throat that growls somewhere between Ian Astbury, Danzig, and Chris Cornell to loosely coin a few popular bods for an idea of his sound. Their set comprised of ‘Wings of the Devil’ ‘Earth OD’, ‘Destroy Mankind’, ‘Tombstones’ and ‘Blood Moon Tide’. ‘Blood Moon Tide’ is a slower number but most atmospheric while still heavy as! ‘Dopethrower’ was the penultimate tune but ‘Rats’ closed the show, epic in its span of stoner groove within this tune.

One heckler (tourist? It’s that kinda place) yells ‘play some Sabbath’ and was flatly told with a wry smile by Cory ‘no covers’ before diving into their last tune. They play no covers – and took no prisoners.

Lord Sword - Restricted Photography

Mental Cavity were to headline tonight but due to a drive back to hometown Canberra for some band members, they got Summonus to headline. It didn’t matter, they still did what was needed, blow the punters minds, and left. ‘Suffer’ off the new album was the opener and is a mad serve of thrash metal in yer’ face with a double serve of vocals it was! (thankfully very unlike post hardcore vocals). Three of the four Cavity members were from I Exist.

Mental Cavity - www.rodhunt.com.au

Their mix of sludge and doom sounds stirred with some crust and hardcore is quite unreal, monstrous! This reviewer is a big fan of I Exist and this new morphed band of theirs didn’t disappoint!!

The set was a mix of material from their self-titled album (‘Subservient’, ‘Frailty Incarnate’, ‘Deconstruct Fools’, and ‘Abuse’), released in January this year, and others from the new album Aneurysm out later this month, such as ‘Closing In’, and ‘I Am Death’.

‘Bleak Outlook’ was particularly a mammoth sounding tune that was totally crushing! Like someone said in a promo – Mental Cavity are as heavy as fuck!

Mental Cavity - www.rodhunt.com.au

Summonus were up next and a great end to the night that’s been on show. Once the curtain was rolled back they dived into 'Burning Times'. The fuzzed-out tone and riff was unmistakable. Tonight, both tunes from their album Zeichen Der Hexe, and some new ones being road tested were on show. Mostly were the latter, newbies, and they didn’t disappoint! They carried their stoner sludge signature sound but sounded fresh simultaneously. The gratuitous throaty growls of Rod’s lyrics over the bands thick pummeling sound that envelopes one in soundscapes.

Summonus - by Restricted Photography

Summonus - by Restricted Photography

Summonus - by Restricted Photography

The new tracks included ‘The Game’, ‘Deep Red’, and ‘Before The Fall’. The large audience were lapping them up. The title tune from ‘Zechen Der Hexe’ closed the intense set, and a great night!

  

Summonus - by Restricted Photography

Bands Music and Websites:
MENTAL CAVITY - music & merch at their bandcamp site, and here for gigs'n'stuff 

Mental Cavity 'Bleak Outlook'

SUMMONUS - music & merch at their bandcamp site, and here for gigs'n'stuff

LORD SWORD - music & merch at their bandcamp site, and here for gigs'n'stuff

BURDEN MAN - music at their Soundcloud and here for gigs'n'stuff

Burden Man 'Shadows of the Dying'

Thanks to:

• Both Rod Hunt of www.rodhunt.com.au & Mel Meek of Restricted Photography for use of their great photos.
• The bands for their music, and setlists!

[LIVE REVIEW] DARK HORSE album launch of 'Bomb Thrower' + HOSTILE OBJECTS + MICHAEL CRAFTER + BLACK RHENO

at BLACKWIRE RECORDS, SYDNEY, 31 March 2017

Review by Derek J. Huckel
Photos by ZK Photo, and Restricted Photography. 

Live Dark Horse, and Hostile Objects footage by Jayradikal Productions

Black Rheno kick off the album launch for Dark Horse with their second album ‘Bomb Thrower’, and they really kick it out! There's no messing with Black Rheno! They bring it from the start with their groove metal that has a sludgy stoner blend. The singer is prowling the floor (no stage here – the band is mixing with us plebs) like some sick tiger. This band is nuts for a three piece, I mean their power is intensity personified. They’ve more grunt in them than some five pieces could even dream of! Dirt, Lock the Gate were some tunes played, and two newies were road tested. They ended their set with the single No Time for Numb Nuts. A great start to one of the final nights of Blackwire.

Black Rheno bringin' the stoner groove!

Blackwire Records, 31/3/2017 - ZK Photo

It's a shame Blackwire Records is closing. I've seen only top notch shows here - I can't think of a bad one of perhaps the ten plus times I’ve been here. Bands I've seen here have included I Exist, Clowns and Chinese Burns Unit, Hostile Objects, Hygiene, Nunchukka Superfly, Damage Zone, Vigilante, and Shackles. Overseas acts too, like American Sharks, Lecherous Gaze have graced this venue, I wish I'd seen Canada's Burning Hearts here, sadly missed D.R.I here recently, and even people like John Dyer Baizley of Baroness have performed and shown his art at Blackwire. Council laws in NSW, and persistent complaining new neighbour/s – not a good mix sadly. In other states this law has been changed apparently, in favour of the long-term businesses, like pubs, instead of the new disgruntled neighbours. Bittersweet is a word to pin point this, and pissed off might be another…

Michael Crafter were up next. They seemed to be faves of many of the near capacity crowd here. The singer, who started the set dressed in his best TLC t-shirt, joked a lot and the crowd bounced off him. The rapport seemed well rehearsed, good fans I’d say. Not having seen them before this reviewer enjoyed them a lot. Michael Crafter are like, you might say, Napalm Death but with more silly themed tunes, but some poignant ones too. Quick short, crusty and thrashy grind blasts. One song, it was announced, was about puppies, which got roars of laughter. Other ditties tonight were called Crew Poo, Bong Breaker, Vegan Bake Sale, and a more serious tune Fear and Doubt.

Micheal Crafter - not like TLC

Blackwire Records, 31/3/2017 - ZK Photo

The Meanies were a great interim sonic entertainment prior to Hostile Objects hitting the 'stage'.

Hostile Objects began with Weed, hit Money (aka. Eat Your Money) and went straight to Turkish Knives, Sounds like a recipe for a great night eh. Well the Hostiles easily helped that happen with their brand of thrash. If you don’t know them, think Poison Idea and The Accused mixed with a dose of Black Flag. Waiting to Drown ratcheted up, and up by singer Hunt and his troupe, then sprung loose in a fury. Hoax went off! Young Gods was mammoth, and brought punters in the first few rows to a crazy mosh. Their last song Wrong ended in a wall of feedback - which was a perfect close for their last set here at this fine establishment. The songs' irony wasn’t lost on many here tonight, the fury conveyed in this tune was also a great metaphor for the anger of the loss.

Rod Hunt gives it back! Hostile Objects, 

Blackwire Records, 31/03/2017 - Restricted Photography

Jimmy Fatal feedsback, Hostile Objects

Blackwire 31/03/17 - Restricted Photography

Dark Horse feed the frenzy

Blackwire Records, 31/03/17 - ZK Photo

Dark Horse opened their set by bass-player Kieran paying respects to the traditional owners of the land first, thanking the guys running the shop here for all they’d done having bands here in their time, supporting them and the scene, as well as to the other bands who played. Pulling Teeth was the choice cut to kick off their set showcasing the bone crunching new album 'Bomb Thrower' here tonight. It sent the place right off! The band, like a savage mix of Discharge, Exploited, and Bolt Thrower, have such an intensity and are on fire with the occasion of the launch, they kicked total ass and took no prisoners!! One guy was hoisted up and crowd surfed to the front of shop then nearly perfectly back to his position at the front. The present scene in front of me brings a tear and huge smile to this reviewer’s face. Sad that it's the third last night here at Blackwire Records before it closes, and that people here are loving what’s been presented to them here tonight, and three quarters of the joint just rocking the fuck out in near 'perfect harmony'.

Dark Horse deliver! Blackwire Records, 31/03/17 - ZK Photo

The ominous intro of Bomb Thrower and its ratcheting d-beat thrash was a sight to see the band play, and hear of course. The singer had the crowd in his palm, all the stance commanded the music, and it him. The band all poured their guts into this show, sweating, slamming – it was a sight to behold.

It was a great group of bands to give a send off in their own styles to a fine establishment. Thanks guys, you've done us proud. And no thanks to it perpetrators.

DARKHORSE website - get 'Bomb Thrower'

DARK HORSE - Live at Blackwire Records
‘Bomb Thrower’



DARK HORSE 'Bomb Thrower' off their new album

Hostile Objects website and Bandcamp

Hostile Objects - Live at Blackwire Records

'The Hoax'

Hostile Objects - Live at Blackwire Records

'Young God' and 'Ruins'




Hostile Objects - Live at Blackwire Records
'Wrong'

Michael Crafter band website

Michael Crafter - 'Bong Water', 'My Name Is', 'Mosh Dawg'

Black Rheno website 

Black Rheno - 'No Time For Numb Nuts'

***Thanks to Blackwire Record - Salute! - the bands, ZK Photo, Restricted Photography, Jayradikal Productions and Rod Hunt for helping pull this review together. for it to be a part reminder of this night, last of a few at this memorable and essential venue Blackwire Records***

Tasty feediack, - Jimmy Fatal Hostile Objects

Blackwire 31/03/17 - Restricted Photography

Jimmy Fatal Hostile Objects
Blackwire 31/03/17 - Restricted Photography

NASTY RUMOURS - Powerpop punk rock in Petersham!

NASTY RUMOURS
Bald Faced Stag Hotel, Petersham, Sydney
Monday 20 October 2016
Review by Derek J. Huckel

Live
NASTY RUMOURS were great to witness on a Monday night in downtown Petersham, Sydney.

This four piece powerpop-influenced punk rock from Switzerland gave their all to this sadly teeny crowd, consisting of the two support bands and a few friends  - so it seemed (well it was a Monday night) - and fed the energy they had to the crowd who in turn were starting to give some back. Some bands feed off the crowd for energy for their gig but NASTY RUMOURS were one of those wunder kind that are the other way round, natural oerformers.

These Bernians, that's Bern, Switzerland, not Mel-bern (sic) played in the vein of the BUZZCOCKS, RAMONES, THE VAPORS, and SWINGIN' UTTERS and did it very well indeed, making it seamlessly their own and not looking like a bad rip-off of the style.

Among the tunes in their set were, All Alone, Because Of You, a great cover of THE VICTIMS Television Addict, Girl Dressed In Black, and the clap-along I Need You!

Sadly I missed the support bands DIRTBAG and SALTY TENDERS but they need a mention for supporting this great band, and on a Monday night too.

Merch
I bought their split 7" single EP with the NUMBSKULLS from Adelaide, Australia, and both sides - four songs in total - totally rip!! 

The 'Nasty  side' belongs to Nasty Rumours which contains buzz saw sugar pop tale of love no more in Because Of You and the addictive Under Your Spell. And on the flip side - the 'Numb side' - the Numbskulls play Brain Freeze, and the total ear worm Car Park Pot, its dark and you might even think it smells good. 

You'll have this platter on constant rotation for a while (or the downloaded version on repeat), and in your head for some time!

Check them out... 
To learn more about them and check out their tunes fer yerself (sic)... 

- Check out the more about them on the Nasty Rumours Facebook page

- Check out their music on the Nasty Rumours bandcamp page.

NASTY RUMOURS - WANNA BE ON TOP live at N.B.N.N. Festival

Review of Roundtable, Hawkmoth, Summonus, DAWN, & Netherhell - Sydney, 29 October 2016

Roundtable, Hawkmoth, Summonus, DAWN, Netherhell

The Factory Floor, @Marrickville, Sydney

Saturday, 29^th October 2016

Review by Derek J. Huckel

Photos By Rod Hunt

Roundtable were hitting Sydney for the first time, on their second date up from Melbourne. They were planning to get Medieval on our asses, literally, with their Medieval brand of stoner doom. Their concept album Dread Marches Under Bloodied Regalia, reviewed is said to be visceral in its use of mythology. They caught my interest only a weeks back and I was looking forward to seeing what they were like live as I like similar bands like Boltthrower, who create worlds, fact or fictional, landscapes and emotion.

First up were Netherhell. This was two guys, drummer and guitarist, dooming out. They sounded great and if more people were here, I’m sure a pit might have started to go off. Plenty of the present people here loved it, dutifully nodding heads.

DAWN

DAWN were great as a support act, they seemed to have some sound technicality problems but creating a hypnotic wall of sound was their aim and were doing well. The space sound effect background in the first song was super cool. The Halloween theatrics were very good and welcomed, with the corpse bride guitarist, candy striped drummer, and other gothic gals. In their genesis, with some more volume, I'm sure DAWN will rule more.

The Game kicked off the Summonus set. The Journey was third with its brooding slow burn intro, its sludgy bass and guitars. They kick in with the opposite of a breakdown, the tight riffs building up with the stage prowling vocalists’ menacing growl vocals, and drums, all building – until a grind madness ensues! A killer rendition of Burning Times closed their set ‘Strike a match, burn it down, burn it downnn...’ Sublime.

Hawkmoth were up next - a band I'd been wanting to see as I’d seen their name on gigs happenning in Melbourne for some time. They took those present on a ride, from periods of ambience to big heavy riffs that were effect-laden. There was lots of craft here, but I was left not engaged while many loved their tunes. 

Meaty and visceral is Roundtable. The drumming initially wasn’t heavy, folk-like but it provides atmosphere, an earth for the guitars & bass to build and layer, to create the kingdom of olde on. Corpulent Warlord did harken back, the modern take was made to sound well and tales of Arthurian time regaling. The bands were running late so sadly Roundtable’s time was to be cut severely, only having time for three tales. But they played on. Their last two tunes, including Abarath Pass, were more meaty and heavy. Vocalist Rhys Walmsley’s voice is suited for their tunes, sounding like a throaty bearded knight but isn’t, not in person

The encore Encircling Demons was mesmerising, unusual for a closing number but it was a winner!

Roundtable manage to take several styles and merge them into stoner/doom, folk and prog rock, just in the right portions and make it sound brutally honest and somehow proper.

DAWN

DAWN

DAWN

DAWN

Summonus

DAWN

Hawkmoth

Hawkmoth

    

Hawkmoth

 Hawkmoth

Roundtable

Roundtable

Roundtable

 

Roundtable

Their music and profile:

Roundtable

Hawkmoth

Summonus

DAWN

Netherhell

Review: Acid King (USA) - 2016 Doomsday Festival

Acid King (USA), Isaiah Mitchell (Earthless) with Seedy Jeezus, Los Hombres Del Diablo - 2016 Doomsday Festival

Newtown Social Club

Friday 30 September 2016

Isaiah Mitchell (Earthless) with Seedy Jeezus, and Los Hombres Del Diablo had gone down well with the punters by all reports – details are coming so stay tuned.

The band room was comfortably full and the crowd was eagerly awaiting the arrival of Acid King… As soon as the hit they stage, the crowd was in tune and swaying with their music. Like a Jodorowsky movie, Acid King are a stoned experience you can have while straight. Their music takes you away to a new world, an experience. The aural world Acid King create envelopes you like Alice in Wonderland, or the Matrix. Take the blue pill, or red one (perhaps both??) and you’ll be transported. Each tune was nearly ten minutes so you had time to experience their world.

The backdrop of the images and film footage of outer space, burning buildings, blurred landscapes, and burning planets further takes the sub bass sounds deeper into your psyche to fuck you up.

These scene veterans were fresh off a bunch of US gigs and the three day Psycho Las Vegas before coming to Australia, you could see and feel that the their tunes are well honed and crafted, played and lived in. Singer Lori’s vocal is a wailful call, like a gently mournful but ominous sounding wind which you might hear coming through the trees in the wilderness. She simultaneously makes her guitar gently mournfully weep, and espouse other evocative sounds. Bassist Mark Lamb looks like he’s seeking redemption, or enlightenment, as he wrings his instrument, sweating and plays a sonic sound as though it’s a torture rack, one’s stretched out on, and the screws are tightened and wound tauter as their opus' progress. Joey Osbourne pounds his drum in a hypnotic measured heavy rhythm, beating them strategically, to create these aural dreams (or nightmares to some). Mind expansion was in full effect!

Amongst the five or six tracks they played tonight were 'Red River' off Middle of Nowhere… LP, and their encore was ‘Sunshine and Sorrow’ from III

I was new to the band, and upon witnessing their mostly instrumental faire proves a dose worthy taking, for the mind and body. The near tribal pounding, drawn out and thought out tunes giving one time to sup them up and savour them fully. It’s worth taking the trip.

*********

They are playing tonight, Saturday 1st October, in the Northcote Social Club and the last show of this tour in Australia is tomorrow night, Sunday 2nd October, in Melbourne at the Cherry Bar. Catch them if you

Acid King 'Red River'

Review: Hostile Objects "Negative Space"

Hostile Objects
Negative Space
Arrest Records
Release Date: 6 June 2016
Review by Derek J. Huckel

After three super tight EP’s under their belts and a split single with fellow Sydney siders The F*ck Outs (RIP), Hostile Objects have submitted a scorching opus by the name of Negative Space. The intensity and urgency of their live show has been accurately captured on this album. Vocalist, Rod Hunt’s raspy,Accused-like splatter vocals leave you battered and broken … but smiling.

Gloom, has a doomy Sabbath-type opening riff that soon halts and suddenly ratchets up several notches. It proceeds to wring you out like a roller coaster ride, piling you incessantly through highs and lows and has some cool driving breakdowns to top it off. The title track, Negative Space, pulls it back a gear, but loses none of the feverish pace. Hunt sings of the sad hostility that permeates society, your workplace, and the street, questioning why does it even exist?

This album is the culmination of the band pulling together their experience through past and existing bands, EP recordings and the multitude of live shows they’ve played. It nicely blends their influences of Poison Idea, Circle Jerks and beyond into their own aural nightmare.

Buzzcocks + HITS + White Dog - 11 March 2016

The Buzzcocks + HITS + White Dog

The Factory Theatre, Sydney

Friday 11 March 2016

Upon walking in we caught the second half of the set of Sydney's White Dog. Their tunes were like an amalgam  of early Black Flag and OFF. They were controlled chaos. I'd look forward to catching them again. The drummer and singer were the necessary unhinged components of this group whilst the buttoned shirted guitarist and bassist Stodden their stoic ground.

HITS from BrisVegas (Brisbane) were the filthy dose of rock the night needed. It upped the ante with swagger, and some filthy attitude - in a good way of course.  The five piece have been around for a few years but this is only my second encounter and I was excited for it. They're kind of like an 80's scuzzy rock. The singer is a great frontman, a good dude who'll offer you a kiss if in range, while chat about Bunnings. The two women well n truly kick out the jams, and the drummer and guitarist give what for too. Bitter and Twisted, and Take yer Pills were amongst HITS tunes tonight

The tension was building rapidly for the Buzzcocks. Due on in 15 minutes, they took 40 minutes. Later it was found out they had equipment difficulties. Not rockstar-itis as some at the time Boredom kicked off their set tonight. All their pop punk hits were here for this sold out crowd on the bands 40th Anniversary tour - Autonomy, How Could You Ever, Noise Annoys, Ever Fallen In Love... And of course Orgasm Addict!! The band were 'tight as'  tonight! ...Apart from Steve Diggle's - resplendent (sic) in coloured jeans and pastel top - amp malfunctioning about four tunes from the end. He was loving the crowd, 'surfing' his guitar, and doing Pete Townshend windmills whenever he could, and Pete Shelleys laconic wit was as dry as ever per his songs.  On What Do I Get, ironically, you could hear him in his northern dry wit and Manc accent mumble 'not a bloody amp for sure'.

It was a great night. All bands fitted the bill well together and were on their A-game. The crowd left the Factory happily buzzing tonight.