It’s a balmy evening in Bristol with several gigs for the discerning metal fan to choose from. There’s the crazy antics of King Gizzard And The Wizard Lizard at the Beacon, or the crushing atmospheric black metal of Wolves In The Throne Room at The Fleece, but no, I’m crammed into the hull of a cargo ship once again for an evening of progressive metal in the shape of Australians Caligula’s Horse. Fair play to the Brisbane outfit, for they’ve pulled a virtual full house despite some stiff competition.
It is the unhinged electronic driven riffs of Americans Four Stroke Baron (6) which kicks things off, earlier than advertised which is why the venue is still slowly filling up as they burst into The Witch, one of a few numbers drawn from new album Data Diamond. They are ferocious, combing pop hooks with crushing riffs and a kaleidoscopic miasma of effects. Cloaked in strobes and hazy, almost non-existent lighting that has the togs cursing, they race through a 30-minute set which is over as soon as it begins.
Kirk Witt’s indie style vocal is lost in the muddy mix, resulting in a blended sound which is almost uncomfortable directly in front of the stage. High energy from bassist Dan Mandoki who refuses to stand still, despite the cramped space. Drummer Matt Vallarino is also struggling to be restrained, leaping off his stool on several occasions. Heavier live, it is a set that once again highlights the uniqueness of the band. I’ll admit to being focused on capturing a few clean photos, but the enthusiasm and pushing of boundaries which makes them an acquired taste is impossible to ignore.
A frantic turnaround sees The Hirsh Effekt (7) arrive bang on time, as befits a band from Germany. They aren’t here to make up numbers, with a blistering salvo that belies the gentler sound that I’d listened to on latest album Urian on the way to the venue. Their sound is a rolling ball of assorted styles, with shimmering guitar giving way to punishing death metal segments. Guitarist and vocalist Nils Wittrock is in your face from the off, striding to the front of the stage and staring maniacally into the now full venue.
A frantic turnaround sees The Hirsh Effekt (7) arrive bang on time, as befits a band from Germany. They aren’t here to make up numbers, with a blistering salvo that belies the gentler sound that I’d listened to on latest album Urian on the way to the venue. Their sound is a rolling ball of assorted styles, with shimmering guitar giving way to punishing death metal segments. Guitarist and vocalist Nils Wittrock is in your face from the off, striding to the front of the stage and staring maniacally into the now full venue.
He trades vocals with bassist John Lappin, who is as animated alongside him. It’s another short and fast set, and once again their sound is hampered by the mix for part of the set, but once they ease into the ten-minute epic Otus mid-set, they are pleasing old fans and gaining new ones. Confidence is not a problem after six albums, and this is a band who on only their sixth UK appearance could well be back headlining this venue soon.
It's been six years since Caligula’s Horse (8) played The Lanes in Bristol in 2018. They are no doubt a much slicker outfit today and prove their worth to the rammed floor with a set that starts with The World Breathes With Me and Golem from the excellent Charcoal Grace album. From here on, it’s a bit of time travel as the band traverse through songs from 2015’s Bloom, 2017’s In Contact, 2020’s Rise Radiant before dipping back into Charcoal Grace in a frantic acceleration to the encore.
There’s no doubt that the band is led by the charismatic Jim Grey who not only can sing a bit but is also one of the most entertaining and endearing frontmen in the business. He’s engaged from the start, and despite nearly braining himself on my lens within the first few minutes, he’s captivating throughout. His between song banter is warming, urging everyone to, “Find that piece inside you that gives a fuck about what anybody else thinks . . . and throw it away”.
It's been six years since Caligula’s Horse (8) played The Lanes in Bristol in 2018. They are no doubt a much slicker outfit today and prove their worth to the rammed floor with a set that starts with The World Breathes With Me and Golem from the excellent Charcoal Grace album. From here on, it’s a bit of time travel as the band traverse through songs from 2015’s Bloom, 2017’s In Contact, 2020’s Rise Radiant before dipping back into Charcoal Grace in a frantic acceleration to the encore.
There’s no doubt that the band is led by the charismatic Jim Grey who not only can sing a bit but is also one of the most entertaining and endearing frontmen in the business. He’s engaged from the start, and despite nearly braining himself on my lens within the first few minutes, he’s captivating throughout. His between song banter is warming, urging everyone to, “Find that piece inside you that gives a fuck about what anybody else thinks . . . and throw it away”.
That might say more about the sensitivity of the type of audience that this type of band attract – I can’t see ‘Zetro’ Souza of Exodus making a similar statement, but it’s an inclusive approach, and he has that unique style that makes it feel personal when he’s talking to over 300 people. It’s impossible not to compare him to countryman Danny Estrin of Voyager, who play with a similar melody rich sound.
This is not one-man show though, with the cohesive playing of bassist Dale Prinsee, drummer Josh Griffin (slightly pushed to the back of the stage) and the fluid guitar work of Sam Vallen all ensuring that no-one in Caligula’s Horse is greater than the sum of their parts. They have the songs, with Grey reflecting on the darkness of 2020 as they traverse through three songs from Rise Radiant, including a vibrant The Tempest and the audience participation on a stunning Oceanrise.
He’s not one to navel gaze though and hopes that the album helped some in the audience to pull through the annus horribilis. The evening is rounded off with the fan favourite Daughter Of The Mountain, and as a bill that sits comfortably with those who frequent the Arc Tangent Festival which takes place nearby in August ends, the world of progressive metal seems a healthy place to be.
No comments:
Post a Comment