Masonic Hall, Blacktown
Sunday April 21, 2013 :
The “40 Deep” tour ripped through Blacktown like a hurricane, pun intended, boasting a lineup that ranges across almost every style in the hardcore/metal scene.
Starting proceedings were the absolutely rocking Bare Bones. They’re like a cross between Every Time I Die and The Bronx with a heavy Maylene and the Sons of Disaster influence. This five piece Sydney based band have no problem in getting the crowd into a vicious frenzy of flailing arms and bopping heads. Showcasing riff after rocking riff, some of which have more swing than a child’s play set. The track ‘Death Valley Blues’ is a real stand out and it’s hard to believe this is only their fourth show. Absolutely killer.
Next up are Melbourne band, Brooklyn, with their heavy discordant tone shifts complimented by vicious vocals from singer Andrew Moller. Keeping the tempo slow and menacing for the majority of the set, the uptempo parts are few and far between, but when they come the crowd absolutely chomp at the bit.
It’s always an absolute pleasure seeing Elegist and tonight is no different. Barrels of riffs, beatdowns the size of tugboats and a singer who summons the dirtiest most sinister nightmares of the horrified onlookers. Elegist are a devastating asset to the Australian heavy music scene. Smashing through the majority of their EP, highlights include ‘Mountain’ and a short guest appearance from Bare Bones singer on ‘Endeavor’.
Storm the Sky are a melodic and catchy moshcore bands hailing from Melbourne. Total mosh anthems are played with the utmost charisma and passion. Both singers compliment each other perfectly, trading off vicious screams with melodic uplifting melodies. So much stage presence, the vocalists use every bit of the stage with the guitarists spending most of their time in the air. All this is tied together with absolutely mind blowingly tight breakdowns. Great Stuff.
Gold Coast heavy hitters, PLAB, don’t muck around getting the crowd moving, with vocalist Ryan Bowles an outstanding front man. Heavy beatdowns, positive energetic mosh, peppered with fast thrashy interludes. Big things expected from these “down to earth” gentleman. They even pulled out Rage Against the Machine’s ‘Bulls on Parade’ with the singer of House vs Hurricane getting up for guesties. The whole show is a massive bro down, most apparent with almost every band watching from side of stage. Pile ons and stage dives a plenty.
House vs Hurricane are the clear crowd favourites. Coming off the back of their BDO tour and still plugging their album Crooked Teeth, the boys have killer energy, kicking the weary crowd into a shark feeding frenzy. House Vs Hurricane are another band who are carving their own niche within the Australian scene. Bringing rocking hardcore parts, ala Every Time I Die, complemented by snappy breakdowns and catchy choruses. These road dogs certainly know how to kill a crowd, and sound much better than previous times I’ve seen them. Acrobatics on stage are highly entertaining, energetic and infectious. Ryan from PLAB stage dives like a mad man. ‘Lost World’ showcases their hooky choruses without taking away from their intensity. Once again almost every band is represented on side of stage. Encore, encore, encore – and the night ended with stage dives a plenty from bands and fans alike. Still heaps of energy in the air, and the crowd leaves exhausted but satisfied.
Reviewer: Luke Cowan