Democratus, State Of Deceit, Trep & Stitched Up, Fuel Rock Club, Cardiff
It's been very hard to be short of things to do this Easter weekend when Fuel has played host to a triptych of metal shows culminating in this free entry event hosted by State Of Deceit that endeavours to celebrate local talent. With glorious drinking weather and a diverse five-strong billing for the bargain price of no pounds, this truly was a no-brainer of a show to get down to.
Due to the abhorrent bank holiday public transport, I unfortunately caught only the last two songs by opening act Infernal Diadem – and as such will not be rating, but what I did see was very much a band going through a transitional phase. Elliot “SOIM” Cadmore taking up 6-string guitar duties alongside stalwart George Holmes in a bass-less approach while they're rebuilding the line-up. As someone familiar with SOIM's penchant for the extended range instruments, it's worth noting that he has some very real chops on the 6 string and it does beg the question as to whether it'd be easier to find a competent bassist. In any case, what I did get to witness was something of a shred-off between the two axemen punctuated by some catchy riffing and angry skin-beating by drummer Ashton Rose. There's enough individual talent in the band to make things work, but it's going to be a struggle until the dust settles on the line-up for a good duration as that seems to be their primary struggle for some time now, credit to the band for forging on regardless though.
I've been looking forward to seeing Stitched Up (7) ever since I caught a track or two at the Masses and they didn't disappoint, bringing a diversity not often found outside festivals to a local line-up, they more than justified their inclusion with an upbeat performance that exuded equal measures energy and fun. Declaring themselves as Punk/Hardcore, I feel that they pull influences from further afield than that, particularly from guitarist Mark Grebbell's versatile contributions. Their showing is tight, vocalist Mike Davies has a very “Dexter Holland” feel around his delivery and is relentless in belting out his lines often backed by Mark and bassist Chris Sibley who keeps the rhythm bouncing. Chris Smith emphatically beats the day-light out of the kit with precision as the band race through their set. There's good banter between the Mark, Mike and the crowd and above all this is an act that looks like they really enjoy what they do, it rubs off well on a swelling audience.
I hadn't had the fortune of seeing TREP (8) prior to tonight, but there's no need to second guess as to why they're building momentum. A three-piece unit with a five-piece sound, TREP lace the darker side of rock with trappings of metal and prog and are re-inventing a pastiche of sound that's been subdued for quite some time. It didn't take long for me to be aurally transported back to the mid 2000's, early “El Caco” and later era “Katatonia” spring to mind in particular but there's a lot more going on here than just those. Riffs are plentiful and memorable, hooks and chorus abundant with vocalist/guitarist Rhys Evans often harmonising with Bassist Sam Green to great effect, and Max Hill delivering a variety masterclass of drumming to underpin it all. Perhaps most importantly their set has a welcome familiarity that allows even a first time listener to feel wholly engaged, with an “earworm” quality that'll have you humming their hooks to yourself for some time after. Keeping chatter brief, TREP closed out a very swift 30 minutes with their single Silence Of The Crows to an engrossed audience. Definitely a band to keep an ear to the ground for.
Affairs took a turn for the heavier next when State Of Deceit (8) took to the stage with a point to prove, full band in tow this time round with drummer Matthew Toner back behind the kit giving it maximum welly throughout having unfortunately missed their last outing at Fuel due to illness. Vocalist Pete Scamell doesn't let you take your eyes off him for a second. An animated, towering presence that domineers the stage and crowd, showcasing a range of growls and cleans. Clearly eager to test the range of his wireless microphone, you really did have to keep your eyes on him lest he appear snarling away next to you, urging the audience ever closer – but fortunately keeping his forays brief. Axemen Jon Russell and Matt Wilson typically tight as ever supplying an undercurrent of aggression, groove and melody, State Of Deceit delivered an energetic and entertaining set of straight-up in-your-face metal deserving of a bigger crowd which seemed to lull at this stage, and it was a great touch to bring their own additional lighting equipment for their performance for that added visual value too.
Closing out the evening for one of their first home shows in quite some time are local veterans Democratus (7). A busy year so far and even busier ahead, the familiar five-piece set about their tried and tested brand of melodic death metal with gusto from the off, Steve leading from the fore, commanding and bellowing to an amassing crowd, Kerrin providing the shred, the dastardly duo of Joey and Spoon bolstering the rhythm and skin-smasher Zac tying it together with a typically work-horse-like performance behind the kit. No time was wasted in ripping through their now well-rehearsed setlist with the injection of a new track that shows glimpses of a darker beast arising. Stomping fan favourite Bind, Torture, Kill the stand-out and inspiring the first pits of the evening that didn't really let up until the end of the show, and closing with the anthemic Life For A Life, full sing-a-long instructions included courtesy of Steve. Not without their technical demons tonight primarily in the tuning department (it seems that Joey was REALLY enjoying the bank holiday festivities!), this was a solid showing from the Fuel veterans and M2TM alumni albeit not at their most clinical, moreover a relaxed home-coming that afforded them opportunity to demonstrate their mounting confidence in their performances. Although Joey standing at the edge of a pit in full flow with his favourite guitar did have me clenching somewhat, madman!
Given that this was the third metal show in as many days for Fuel, the turn-out was good with many unfamiliar faces taking advantage of the free entry and dropping in. Overall a fine celebration of local and regional talent, more of that please!
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