Post by markwj on Feb 15, 2010 1:29:25 GMT
Decapitated, Kataklysm, Man Must Die, Impaled Existence, ArcEye
Central Station, Wrexham
7/2/10
Now. Not necessarily more than ever but now, for sure. 2010 holds such great prospects that I wonder if I can take it, I wonder if things can possibly build up any further, I just am in wonder.
In wonder for example that great touring packages are once again swinging by Wrexham, not to the Memo of my de-formative youth but to Central Station. To be fair they have been standard bearers for a while as a forum for above pub-average metal, perhaps mainly through lack of alternative, but tonight is the first of a regular punch in the face of bands to impress over the forthcoming months that will wind me up fine for my summer festival OD.
After a traditional Sunday afternoon whiled away in the pub wandered down to the venue a while after the 6 doors half expecting to have missed some of the crammed bill but openers Arceye were still in action. The Shropshire outfit seem proficient enough but also relatively uninspiring with their straightforward heavy thrash
Pleased then that hadn’t missed Impaled Existence, as, despite an inundation of their local gigs recently, through a big PA and with the addition of fresh material they really struck as getting into their stride. Less vocal melody to their death metal than their previous mix, but far better variety and clarity in their shifts through shredding riffs. Certainly well supported and received, by many travelling up from the coast too.
Scotland’s Man Must Die are held with regards as certainly close to the top of underground extremity in the UK and demonstrated why with a blistering set. Very sharp grind initially they then twisted the knife to maintain the attention with some more melodic, almost anthemic, drawn out sections, before returning to more blasting.
Had last seen Katakylsm from a distance at Hellfest last year but to have them even closer here all the way from their native Canada was even more impressive. In a similar vein to Impaled Existence with their complex and varied death on the edge of melody, but with skills and experience honed to a vicious level over their considerably durable career. Starting the set with one of their best in “Like Angels Weeping” was a winner, and fair play they kept the intensity up throughout
Held in high regard for their achievements from an early age in the field of technical death the Poles Decapitated are now operating as a version of themselves. A change partly forced upon them through the death of their drummer Vitek in a tour crash some time ago, now though it is only his brother and fellow founder Vogg the guitarist remaining with new guys. Still, who else would have more right to determine to carry on and the songs are there, delivered with break neck/neck brace speed, pretty unrelenting and harsh, though with an interesting groove/bounce creeping into the onslaught at times.
An excellent collection to stoke the winter fires up for a blazing year ahead.
Central Station, Wrexham
7/2/10
Now. Not necessarily more than ever but now, for sure. 2010 holds such great prospects that I wonder if I can take it, I wonder if things can possibly build up any further, I just am in wonder.
In wonder for example that great touring packages are once again swinging by Wrexham, not to the Memo of my de-formative youth but to Central Station. To be fair they have been standard bearers for a while as a forum for above pub-average metal, perhaps mainly through lack of alternative, but tonight is the first of a regular punch in the face of bands to impress over the forthcoming months that will wind me up fine for my summer festival OD.
After a traditional Sunday afternoon whiled away in the pub wandered down to the venue a while after the 6 doors half expecting to have missed some of the crammed bill but openers Arceye were still in action. The Shropshire outfit seem proficient enough but also relatively uninspiring with their straightforward heavy thrash
Pleased then that hadn’t missed Impaled Existence, as, despite an inundation of their local gigs recently, through a big PA and with the addition of fresh material they really struck as getting into their stride. Less vocal melody to their death metal than their previous mix, but far better variety and clarity in their shifts through shredding riffs. Certainly well supported and received, by many travelling up from the coast too.
Scotland’s Man Must Die are held with regards as certainly close to the top of underground extremity in the UK and demonstrated why with a blistering set. Very sharp grind initially they then twisted the knife to maintain the attention with some more melodic, almost anthemic, drawn out sections, before returning to more blasting.
Had last seen Katakylsm from a distance at Hellfest last year but to have them even closer here all the way from their native Canada was even more impressive. In a similar vein to Impaled Existence with their complex and varied death on the edge of melody, but with skills and experience honed to a vicious level over their considerably durable career. Starting the set with one of their best in “Like Angels Weeping” was a winner, and fair play they kept the intensity up throughout
Held in high regard for their achievements from an early age in the field of technical death the Poles Decapitated are now operating as a version of themselves. A change partly forced upon them through the death of their drummer Vitek in a tour crash some time ago, now though it is only his brother and fellow founder Vogg the guitarist remaining with new guys. Still, who else would have more right to determine to carry on and the songs are there, delivered with break neck/neck brace speed, pretty unrelenting and harsh, though with an interesting groove/bounce creeping into the onslaught at times.
An excellent collection to stoke the winter fires up for a blazing year ahead.