The first 'proper' gig in a long time, was and all Dayer from Fuel Rock Club. They say go hard or go home but I must say I did have some trepidation. Thankfully the decision was made to keep the doors open in the venue so bands could still be seen and heard from outside. When I did venture inside I made sure to distance and wear my mask, much to amusement of some people, but I'm glad I wasn't the only one doing it!
Organised by DFTS Promotions this was mixture of Stoner/doom/noise/hardcore bands varying in style throughout the day was started by some prog funk metal from Birth (6) a three piece that play quirky music with a groove and a punk attitude. Their momentum faulted a little when the drummer had to go off the stage for a bit to sort out an issue but as an opening band they did well. Next up was something heavier from Scrape (8) a stoner flavoured hardcore band that reminded me of bands such as Torche, melodic and riffy but also angry and confrontational they brought together two styles well ramping up the tempo (and the heat) in the room.
Between every band I headed outside for some air and a drink which was a relief from the hot going room (despite me being miles away from others) however like any good journo I ploughed back in to catch the last two bands before the 45 minute break in proceedings, well thought out almost splitting the show into 2 sections meaning food could be sought.
Next up was the slow, heavy, stylings of Mines (7). This five piece opened up a lot of ears, then proceeded to make them bleed with a terrifying mix of sludge heaviness and harsh noise dissonance, everything from the down-tuned guitars, to the vocal shouts and electronics was used to instill a feeling of discomfort that was successfully achieved at this show. As our ears started to recover it was time for Dimensions (7) to pick up the batton. Playing for the first time with their original line up for the first time in 6 years, this well drilled noise machine didn't need any time to shake off the rust playing to a hungry audience of friends all of whom appreciated the doom/stoner/hardcore potpourri of Dimensions welcoming them back like a long lost family member.
This sense of joviality and longing for some kind of live music was evident throughout the evening most if not all of the bands heartily cheered as the crowd that had amassed were just please to be watching live music again. After the mandatory break the music returned the end of summer daylight beginning to die as once again Fuel's performance area was shaken by the Satanic, instrumental post-rock soundscape crafting of Who Are The Monsters (8), their cavernous riffs and shogazing fuzz brought almost a sense of calm euphoria to the show, the three piece layering riffs upon riffs until you couldn't help but be taken away by the power of it all.
A perfect way to restart the show as things took a much more confrontational turn as They Live, We Sleep (7) stepped on to the Fuel stage and unleashed their hardcore sludge onto a room that had been washed away with riffs. They Live We Sleep were much angrier and vicious, the guitars having an angular bite while bile was vented through the screamed vocals. With the temperature rising again in the room the time was just right for this dalliance with outright aggression, what was to come was more traditional stoner/doom riffs so having this tasty shot of pure rage fit well.
So it was time for the last two bands of the night first up the stoner/punk/hardcore power trio Made Of Teeth (7) once again unleashed on an unsuspecting public, dual vocal shouts, plenty of punchy riffs and between song banter are what Made Of Teeth do well. Clear favourites with the crowd they were slick on stage, as if there hadn't been a gap in performing at all. Cranking out the tunes at high velocity, these three are a sonic explosion and it was great to see them back on stage.
The final band of the night was South West Wales stoner/doom survivors Sigiriya (8), taking to the stage with a confidence and swagger they kicked off a set of groovy, smoking stoner riffs cranked out by Stuart O'Hara the six string wizard of the band while Paul Bidmead (bass) and Rhys David Miles (drums) drive those rhythms that rattled Fuels back room. With a huge noise kicking out some Sabbath worship Matt Williams pipes croon over the top rounding off the band that didn't seem to have lost a step. The only major difference was that Matt seems to have had his locks shewn off during the lockdown period, but unlike Sampson this hasn't effected his strength. Sigiriya support King Witch (along with King Kraken) in Swansea next month, so it looks like a jaunt Westward beckons.
As far as this show goes, it was a thoroughly entertaining way to return to gigs, being only the second show in Fuel in 18 months, it felt odd for sure, but very good to be back in front of some live music.
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