LLNN's performance at Damnation last year was in my top three live performances of the year, so when this tour was announced I was desperate to get a ticket. Unfortunately, when I checked the dates I realised that I would be away for it. However, a change in circumstances meant that I was able to make it after all and thankfully there were still some tickets available.
Ireland's WORN OUT kick things off tonight. Their brand of hardcore has plenty of heavy breakdowns but they aren't averse to a dissonance more associated with bands such as Dillinger Escape Plan or Converge. They have a lovely guitar tone which sounds like a swarm of killer bees in their more deranged moments. Botch are brought to mind more than once as they balance their sound between beatdown friendly hardcore and something more complex and chaotic. Frontman Xander is a focal point, mixing his intense screams with an energetic hardcore presence. The jagged riffs and undulating rhythms of the closing 'Collapse' bring Deadguy to mind. The bassist Brian spends the last few minutes of the set playing in the crowd. Excellent stuff.
Pupil Slicer have received plenty of acclaim for their latest album, 'Fleshwork', which was released a few weeks ago. Their chaotic math metal is complex but sometimes it is too complicated as it becomes a bit messy in some of the transitions. The drumming doesn't always seem to match what the rest of the band are playing and as a consequence, it isn't as tight as it could be. It is heavy and powerful though, and Kate's screams add a blackened edge too. Kate has lost their voice tonight so there are no clean vocals at all although it doesn't stop them from screaming their lungs out. They misjudge where the mic stand is at one point and inadvertently send it flying, matching the haywire nature of the music. Some of the older material fares much better as the discordant style suits them much more. The barreling rhythms of the closing 'Wounds Upon My Skin' provokes a decent reaction in the pit.
After an atmospheric intro, LLNN rip into 'Imperial' which absolutely crushes. It is sooo heavy with its devastating bass rumble and grinding guitars. A pulverising 'Desecrator' follows, with WORN OUT's Xander joining them onstage.Their brand of noise may be heavier than the mind can comprehend but it is so expressive too. The electronic elements do a fine job in world building, creating images of cities full of impressive buildings but the destructive nature of the music also gives the impression that those structures could come crashing down at any moment, such is the earth levelling, planet smashing power they generate. The verse of 'Obsidian' is relatively restrained but this gives way to an earth shattering chorus. 'Scion' is apocalyptic even though there aren't any guitars, just bass, keyboards and drums. The band exit the stage for a few minutes, leaving Christian Bonneson alone to bark along to the industrial rumble of 'The Horror'. 'Tethers' has a groovy opening with a repetitive bass note and racing cymbals before they unleash something much more intense. Each band member keeps largely to their own section of the stage, hunched over their instruments, battering away at them in an ultra aggressive fashion. The deliberate attack of the closing track is relentless in its intent to crush all that lies before it whilst the atmospheric keys provide a light at the end of the tunnel. LLNN's set leaves the audience gasping for air, such is their intensity. A staggering band.
LLNN *****
Pupil Slicer ***
WORN OUT ****
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