METAL BLADE ASSAULT TOUR - THE ROTTED, ANTERIOR & MALEFICE
YORK FIBBERS - 06/04/09
When I originally saw the lineup for this tour I was extremely pleased as it showcases three top quality homegrown acts offering plenty of variation within the context of extreme metal. Added to this I was off to York for my first club gig (living around Leeds means I don’t usually have to go to said wondrous city for my regular gig dose).
Being my first York gig I was pleased with the low key ambience of the venue even though it was rather chilly inside especially as the air conditioning was on full it seemed. Opening the evening and not part of the touring line up was local outfit Asperity, who knocked out a deathly set of tunes in the mid pace range. It was obvious that the band had brought plenty of support to the venue as their eager supporters enjoyed “Global War” and “This Ends Now”. Though not quite my style of deathly metal due to the slower gloomier pace the band had a good time and was appreciated by all.
www.myspace.com/asperity1
Apparently the two support acts were on rotation and Malefice were first up and set the bar somewhat higher than the preceding act. Their formidable presence was excellent to watch as the high speed modern thrash of “Risen Through The Ashes” was spiced up by sporadic blasts. I have seen this band lumped into the metalcore genre but in all honesty they are firmly chained into thrash metal to these ears as they shredded through “Nothing Left”. The double bass battering in “An Architect Of Your Demise” swung the set into death metal realms and was augmented by a frisky groove section that was lapped up by everyone. My gargled song translator missed the title of the closing track but suffice to say the blend of thrashing thuggishness and deathly destructive power was considerable to say the least.
www.malefice.co.uk
www.myspace.com/malefice
I’ve caught Wales’s Anterior a few times over the last year and have always been impressed with their excellent combination of sublime lead work that is sprinkled with bruising riff combinations. Their set began with the intro “Ghosts Of Dawn” from the debut album and set the scene for dueling shred fest that was avalanched upon us on “The Silent Divide”. The pummeling breakdown section and synchronized headbanging is always a great to watch despite the precariously low ceiling and limited space. A short announcement that their drummer had left recently leaving the stand in with only two days to learn the material was greeted by said drummer showing off as the crowd applauded his learning skills. “Seraph” exploded into life in a swathe of harmonizing lead work akin to a speed metal song. With all bands playing very short sets no time was lost as the guys set to work in a twin axe attack on “Human Hive” which ended up being the last song, as I noted that many of the leads employed by Anterior reminded me of 80s hard rockers Y&T believe it or not. Metal as fuck boyos.
www.myspace.com/anterior
The Rotted aren’t ones for subtlety and tonight they made sure that everyone who watched paid full attention to their hardcore infested death metal even if many had turned up to see Malefice or Anterior. It was disappointing that many people had left the venue and conspicuously it appeared to be all those who had turned up to see the local act. Transport home and parents coming along to watch aside, all bands should be given full support even if they aren’t your normal metal diet, but especially if said tour allowed your band to play in the first place.
The band started their assault with “Nothing But A Nosebleed” and immediately the relentless onslaught caught most unawares due to its ferocity. My attention wandered to the slogan adorning the back line that read “No Gods No Government” as the vitriolic “The Howling” set about pulverizing the punters. The lackluster response from the audience did nothing to quell the anger “Return To Insolence” as a little background was given before “Angel Of Meth” on the lines of what happens if you drink or take too much of something and haven’t got a clue what you did during it. “Kissing You With My Fists” was groove infested carnage as the hint of punk/hardcore reared its beautiful ugly face on “It's Like There's A Party In My Mouth (And Everyone Is Being Sick)” which created a few winces when announced. The venomous and violent bombardment never let up as singer Ben never kept still for a second. “Fear And Loathing In Old London Town” was the aural condemnation of said capital as the end of the set was coming to a close. “Get Dead Or Die Trying” blasted by like a tornado as the guys decided to cover an old Cro-Mags track called “Hard Times”. Whilst the atmosphere was rather lacking at times there was no doubt that The Rotted’s music was completely incendiary on the night.
www.myspace.com/therotted
Martin Harris
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