Sanguine has been cultivating an impressive following since the release of their self-titled album in 2012. Their style of forceful alt metal has allowed them the opportunity to work with a few high profile names, ranging from Megadeth, serving as main support for Dave Mustaine and co. at their 2012 London Shows, to Adrian Smith of Iron Maiden, contributing backing vocals for his side project, Primal Rock Rebellion. Tonight though, they are playing to a small audience of dedicated Welsh fans in Cardiff's Fuel Rock Club, and are overjoyed to be doing so, as singer Tarin Kerry makes clear when she declares "we love playing to you guys, some of our craziest fans gigs are in these small venues". If one thing is for certain from the audience - made up of both friendly and outgoing regulars to Womandy Streets live music scene, and enthusiastic fans here to see the main act they determined to prove her absolutely right!
Let’s not forget the support acts, as they certainly do not warrant forgetting. First up are locals, Trep (8). Their audience is still decidedly small, yet those who do get down early to see them are impressed by the noise coming from their powerful three-part drum, guitar, and 8-string bass combo, as made clear by a few complimentary words by each of the following acts. Most importantly, it is absolutely clear that they are having a great time playing, joking between themselves and commanding the small stage with a passionate presence. Theirs is a more traditional style of rock, bringing together elements of hook-laden thrash, with melody and respect for the classics. "We aren’t the heaviest band on today, the three others are way more brutal than us" jokes vocalist and guitarist Rhys Evans. While they are right that tonight is a very mixed booking, their lack of unfiltered aggression does not mean they can’t get the night off to an excellent start and make themselves stand out in the memories of onlookers. Undoubtedly an act to look out for as they tour the local rock bars, and release their first EP.
"We are In Which It Burns, and all our songs are about things I hate" bellows frontman Wayne Mayhew as his band take to the stage. Sure enough, he addresses the growing crowd frequently, introducing songs about universally hated subjects – Racism, Hitler, annoying supermarket staff - an effort proving good-humored, rather than preachy. All the anger in the music stood out as well, as blasting drum beats pound their way throughout the songs, guitars viscerally crunched, and vocals were kept to a low, sinister growl. Admittedly, probably owing to the difference in tone between both the last band and what I’d heard of the headliners, I was not sure what to think as they began playing their style of death metal. However, as the set went on I picked out the subtleties and arrangements in their music. Audience members had the same experience I find as feet began to stamp, heads began to nod. A sense of vigour felt alive in the room by the time the In Which it Buns (7) had finished.
Crawlblind (7) is the second to last act of the night and act as a brilliant warm up for the headliners. The most notable thing about their music is the energy it amplifies, combining the distortion-laden instrumentation of funk metal, the synthesised and melodic elements of alt-rock and the vocal prowess of aggressive metalcore. Unlike the other bands performing tonight, these do not so much grasp attention by directly addressing the audience. In fact, if I have any criticism here it is that the thirty-minute set went by incredibly quickly in a blur of noise, not leaving much time for subtlety or anticipation. Rather, by commanding all the empty space around them and thrashing around both onstage and offstage, they provoke the first fully-fledged mosh pits of the night. Adding to the carnage, of course, is the strobe lighting, which adds to the fast-paced feel, and makes for an excellent spectacle all things considered. Our main support acts set may have been a frenzy of dynamism and volume, yet they put on a show and amped up the excitement for our headliners.
Finally, it is time for the main act of the night. Sanguine (8) greet a packed room of fans who, despite being suitably warmed up by the more than impressive support acts, have been waiting to hear them play their impassioned style of rock. To those who have not heard anything from this band before, it combines everything we have seen from the acts up to this point. There are huge, tasty riffs with a whole load of catchiness. There are singalong melodies and chants, as well as guttural growls, and moments owing strongly to metal.
Keeping the audience hooked with a lot of opportunities for participation, both band and fans feeding off each other’s enjoyment. In their allotted set time, they tear through songs from their self-titled album, their 2016 release, Black Sheep, as well as one new song and an unexpected cover of Loyalty by fellow alt-rockers, American Head Charge, all the time keeping the audience in check for the slower moments and letting them let loose for the heavier ones. One of the best moments comes when Kerry ensures everyone can have their fun by breaking up some undue aggression in the moshing, with enough sense of humour, not to do away with the exciting and colourful vibes, now fully embraced by everyone in the room.
True, the number of dedicated fans present helped in cultivating this atmosphere, yet it is one enjoyed by even new fans, like me. A night worth remembering.
Great review 😁
ReplyDeleteThank you
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