PESTILENCE + VREID + THE NEW DOMINION
LONDON UNDERWORLD - 12/04/09
This has been a highly anticipated return to the live arena for Pestilence, after a 15 year break, they have returned with a killer album of mammoth proportions and this was the one and only UK date of their current tour. Easter celebrations obviously did not mean diddly squat to our rabid metal fans, people from around the country converged on London to witness this event, and the healthy near rammed floor area was a good sight to see.
Unfortunately, things did not start well, The New Dominion from Holland open up with a hybrid of hard thrash/death that slowly transcended into metalcore. Band members are professional and provide a good visual spectacle; musically this is where it went downhill after a promising start with ‘Face of the Sick’. By the time ‘As I Wither Alone’ plays the crowd had also withered and so had I. On another package, this band would do well; sadly, the wrong bill and crowd presented itself today.
Having recently played this very venue not more than a month ago I was surprised to see Vreid added to this bill. Not that I was complaining, they are always a strong reliable band live. Opening with ‘Alarm’ from their latest opus, they show what a strong cohesive unit these Norwegians are. Whilst I noticed not a huge amount of crowd movement, you could clearly see a general wave of excitement running through the audience. Sture’s vocals are spot on as usual as they stride through material from their last 2 albums, namely ‘Jarnbyrd’ and ‘Speak Goddammit’. By the time closing track ‘Pitch Black’ bellows out, the tempo had increased and also the crowd reaction had matched this increase in momentum. Vreid displayed a simple presentation of good tunes with a clear, crisp and black approach and certainly made an effort with their own stage backdrops. I do fear that it maybe a while before we see this band back in the UK, today’s show made you want more. An excellent set.
I was reliably informed that this was much busier than the last Pestilence gig in London 15 years ago, ok, that was after the release of the controversial ‘Spheres’ album. As my opening text proclaimed, I will iterate it again, their new album ‘Resurrection Macabre’ is one of the stand-out albums of the year so far, live, their sound was certainly beefy and loud. Tony Choy’s unmistakable bass playing brought out the notes that are normally missed in the live setting; guitars are loud and crowd reaction frantic during opening track ‘Devouring Frenzy’. ‘Hate Suicide’ is an excellent tune and the heaviness comes across wonderfully tonight. Patrick Mameli’s vocals do sound a little strained and get lost in some tunes, but there was no denying the top class solos he was playing. The bands classic ‘Chemo Therapy’ goes down a storm and sees quite a big pit form at the front. Once Pestilence blast through their back catalogue I do find myself getting bored. After a while, their static stage presence does not lift the music as much as it is presented on record/CD and the evening was made more difficult with the tour stage manager blocking press access. I left with the thought that I was pleased to have seen these guys live, but I would not have been fussed if I had missed the show. Their recorded outings far outweigh the live experience for me.
Paul Maddison
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