Gideon & Grove Street, Thekla Bristol, 26.01.26
Across the bridge I go on a pouring Monday Evening to a show that was going to absolutely bring the fire, which is dangerous when the gig itself is at the bottom of a boat. After some initial car drama on the way to Bristol, I managed to catch the last two songs (well song and a half) of New Zealand bruisers Xile.
Showing a tasty mix of Metalcore peppered Hardcore, European Beatdown and Death Metal, it was evident to see that they are crowd pleasers as the pit was spinning and the crowd surfers were in plenty of supply. Although it was short and sweet, they've absolutely made a fan out of me and I'm looking forward to seeing them again.
Doesn't seem fair to give a rating based on a few minutes but couldn't possibly say anything negative about what I saw.
Next up, Grove Street (9) and what I love about coming into gigs like this is that you're guaranteed to find something you enjoy and having come into this gig having only heard their song Ultimate Penalty featuring Sylosis' Josh Middleton, I was looking forward to seeing what I'd get and what I saw was band truly proving that their up and coming in the UKHC scene.
Next up, Grove Street (9) and what I love about coming into gigs like this is that you're guaranteed to find something you enjoy and having come into this gig having only heard their song Ultimate Penalty featuring Sylosis' Josh Middleton, I was looking forward to seeing what I'd get and what I saw was band truly proving that their up and coming in the UKHC scene.
With two albums under their belt, it didn't take long before everyone absolutely lost their minds as the intro to Hunting Season kicks in, brutal, almost methodical way into the set as the pacing works through the gears and then BANG, the verse kicks in and the intensity kicks in.
You can truly see the Suicidal Tendancies/Biohazard influence in this and it's great to see it being made their own. Next was a hint of Power Trip in their latest single, Self Sabotage. This was gearing up to be an awesome setlist and it seemed a shame they only had 30 minutes.
The setlist comprised of songs from the latest album which was 2023's The Path To Righteousness and singles they've released since then such as the aforementioned Ultimate Penalty along with Divided Kingdom (which seems completely relatable at the moment) it was a setlist that truly satisfied the old school HC fans and it was awesome to see people flock to the merch table afterwards.
They are absolutely a band to keep an eye out for and be sure to give them some support and buy some merch! Outstanding set and the sound techs did a fantastic job in making them sound their best.
Alabama natives headline the show and after being warmed up for 2 and a half hours, the crowd were ready for some Metalcore/Hardcore infused filth and they came out the traps with their latest single, Wrong One and boy they really weren't the ones to fuck with. The intensity resonated with the crowd as they flowed into Til The Wheels Fall Off. Both the crowd and the band were egging each other on to bring the best out of each other as they played Push It Back and Locked Out Of Heaven from 2023's MORE POWER, MORE PAIN.
Alabama natives headline the show and after being warmed up for 2 and a half hours, the crowd were ready for some Metalcore/Hardcore infused filth and they came out the traps with their latest single, Wrong One and boy they really weren't the ones to fuck with. The intensity resonated with the crowd as they flowed into Til The Wheels Fall Off. Both the crowd and the band were egging each other on to bring the best out of each other as they played Push It Back and Locked Out Of Heaven from 2023's MORE POWER, MORE PAIN.
Have you ever witnessed a wall of death on a boat before? Nah, me neither but speaking of MORE POWER, MORE PAIN, it brought the title track to the forefront and before I knew it, the crowd had parted and so much for the parting of the red sea, this was the parting of the River Avon... Still has the same ring, right?
The momentum kept going as they stuck with the MORE POWER, MORE PAIN myriad of tracks as they added Take Off to the set. This was flowing nicely and they sounded fantastic, sound techs, give yourself a round of applause. Gideon then dipped their toe in the waters of Out Of Control by playing Take Me.
The crowd were then instructed that they'd be no encore and that 3 songs remained and they had to make them count and jeez, the crowd lapped it up and the energy was electric.
The final trilogy of brutality, energy and tenacity came in the form of Cursed, Bite Down and No Love/No One. A stunning night showcasing a bill of superb bands. Gideon were fantastic and demonstrated a perfectly crafted setlist.
Scoring Note: A point taken away due to jealousy over singer Daniel McWhorter's cowboy hat.
