POISON THE WELL, THE PLIGHT & SHAPED BY FATE
CARDIFF BARFLY 03/04/08
The dark and claustrophobia-inducing surroundings of the subterranean Barfly in Cardiff forces a feeling of intimacy onto the bands and the spectators without even trying. The low ceiling at the front of the stage causes Shaped By Fate's front-man to stoop under it to reach out to people gathered before him. Shaped By Fate are lauded as being pioneers of the local scene and have seen themselves in innumerable support slots of the years. So much so, it's never long between occasions where you find yourself in front of the band as they tear the stage up. Their reputation lies partly in the fact that they do like to go a bit mental onstage, Even as the first chords ring out before the madness starts they're jumping around and twitching worryingly. This expression of energy fits the sound they create perfectly. It's like a audio-visual presentation of violent mental illness with guitars being wielded around frantically like if they were to be left to hang on the body of it's wearer it would start to burn or itch. It's hard to find a hook or a melody in the music that would get stuck in your head for any length of time, it's mostly music comprising of dissonant rhythms but with the appropriately accomplished drumming skills to back it up. If one song were to stick out, it might be the one that SBF recently completed a brilliant video for, 'They Told Me You Were Dead'. Vocalist, Paul Fortescue, strides confidently out into the crowd right to the back where the folded arm and beer supping attendees lurk, stretching the mic cable to it's limit. People try not to look phased by this act but the removal of the barrier the stage/audience divide can be unnerving to say the least.
Next up are 'The Plight' from Leeds with their infectious groove-laden stoner rock vibe. The riffs and hooks are delivered in intense, thick gloopy dollops and those of the crowd that embrace being up-close and personal emphatically show their approval. Possibly inspired by the antics of SBF, the vocalist also steps out beyond the safety of the stage and into the dark corners of the gloomy room. Not only that, but the bassist decides he wants a piece of the action and, facing the stage, surrounds himself with the grinning audience. The instantly memorable and catchy 'Pull The Trigger' lifts the mood.
It's not until Poison the Well's opening number that the place really kicks off. The previously docile mature and patience of those lurkers now gives way to a rush forward to the front. Mini crowd surfing attempts are made and there's a pit of sorts that has no clear boundary or ground rules. The Floridians, regarded as pioneers by peers of their scene, play their forward thinking hardcore with tremendous conviction and an energy bigger than the venue itself. The band cover old and new ground, from pre-millennial 'Opposite of December' right through to 2007's 'Versions' as people greet their favourites with feverish excitement. When bands make the effort to visit South Wales, especially if they've made the trip overseas, they get shown a warm welcome. Perhaps it's easy to write off hardcore as a trend in metal that'll pass with time, but tonight that shows now signs of happening any time soon.
Owain Richards
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