Cultura Tres, BruteAllies & Ephemera, Star And Garter, Manchester 21.02.24
The Star and Garter is one of those places that bands have to play at in Manchester. It’s a badge of honour and is one of the last independent venues that hosts some great bands. Just like tonight.
Three bands, all differing in approach, but all set on giving us a great night.
The doors open at 7, and it's very quiet for openers Ephemera (6) who come on first. Bringing that mix Hard core / Metal core, the Yorkshire mob kick off with people still making their way into the venue. For those of us who got there on time, we witnessed a very hungry band who didn’t let the sparse crowd put them off delivering a very punchy and high-energy set with 8 songs that kept the energy up. There is a metallic crunch and edge to them, as they tear through each one, kicking off with Ghosted and keeping a foot down approach right through. Mason is spitting venom at every turn, ably supported by understated bass via Adam Beard, cowbell operator Chris knocking hell out of his kit and Chris, who is battering his guitar.
What I loved was that energy, from Ghosted through to Dragged up to the closing song They Will Forget You Exist, these four are on fire and did enough to make an impression on me in the time they had. They were just dropping bomb after bomb, and I missed the titles in-between. Luckily, I caught up with Mason afterwards who was good enough to get me a set list, he didn’t have to and for that I am thankful. Check them out on their socials and give them a follow. They deserve it and your ears will thank you.
It annoys me no end that people sometimes have a very laissez-faire attitude to catching the opening act, the opening act has the ability to surprise you and if you didn’t like them then you have lost nothing. If you liked them then there is more music for you to listen to, what’s not to like?
BruteAllies (8) are next up, and the 5-piece get set up to go to war. I noticed that there is an unashamed weapon of mass destruction on stage, a warlock. They get plus points for that! Returning after a brief hiatus, they have a new power behind the kit, with Luke Ellwood replacing the departed Gabi Tretze. Immediately there is now a different vibe, with super aggressive thrash / death metal now on the menu. The room is filling up as they kick off, a chaotic energy coupled with super precise riffing of Invasion followed by Battlefield, which is a ripper, one of those that grabs and doesn’t let go.
Leaning into a mid-tempo groove, Mad Elephant soon picks up with those syncopated vocals that are tied with the guitar. There is a definite old-school death metal influence on it, and it shows that they have that required balance in their songs. Nemesis comes fast and it’s right there that they are enjoying themselves now, Hassan pounding the bass and the crushing twin guitars of Sonny and Luke blasting those riffs for fun. Vocalist James is on top notch form launching screams into deep growls and back again. This is my song of their set with an extended solo and lots of whammy abuse for good measure.
Final song is Dark Army, following a drum clinic from Luke. Dark Army has a touch of Pantera in there and is a storming end to their set. Loads of melodic touches all through the brutality; very well received and hopefully they will make up for lost time! Check out Ash And Nails, it’s on Bandcamp and well worth your time.
Cultura Tres (9) come on and just go, starting up with The World which is just this furious mix of metal and punk. Paulo Jr is flanking the two brothers, Alejandro (vocals) and Juanma like a midfield general, laying down that bottom end whilst Jerry just destroys his kit with the biggest of smiles. It’s a strong start and they never let that energy flag at any point.
There is a primal quality to each of the songs, that South American feel running through each track with Time Is Up following on the heels, fashioning an epic breakdown that is royal. When I reviewed the Camino De Brujos last year, I felt that there was something was missing, possibly in how they captured the songs in the studio. Live, they are a different beast altogether. It’s hard, vibrant and each one really connects. On stage is their natural home and following a blast through of Proxy War which is just pummelling they deliver a heartfelt thank you.
19 Horas slows that pace a little with a measured droning opening that swells into that twin melodic line, every line being roared by Alejandro, its glorious and then they are on the ascension once more, tearing through their set list as in an hurry to get to a favourite part of the evening with Day 1 and Zombies fall in quick succession as they throw in a cover of Black Sabbath in, again as a thank you to the British heavy metal of their youth they turn it into a super fucking low attack with their own unique twist on this classic track. If you are going to cover the greats, this is the way to do that and it’s fantastic.
They close out the night with The Smell Of Death and Signs, with the former possessing that mid-paced groove and Signs with that trademark droning sound and those riffs that seem to stretch out forever. It’s a fine one to finish on and they wrap up, with our ears ringing after a quality night of music in Manchester
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