GIG REVIEW: Ingested + support - Dundee | DUSA The Union
https://www.facebook.com/events/307877483197219/
Bands: Ingested, Lashing Out, Grievance, Threshold Sicks, Fractured Perceptions, Section 9
As soon as this was announced back in January I knew this was going to be a headbanger of a good gig, and certainly not one to be missed! Brought to you by a young duo of promoters, this monster was hosted in Dundee University Campus grounds. The DUSA Floor 5, is the home of the Distorted metal club nights, which has hosted some gigs in the past. But this the first of its kind for a while, and a first in here for such a big headliner. A cool venue that I was sure will be a future metal scene spot for more to come. But my own internal optimism aside here is how it all panned out.
Traditionally the running order for gigs seems to go (most often) from softest/lightest sounding bands to heavier and more extreme as you go up the bill but this show was different. This gig, however, chucked us all in at the deep end from the get-go, then pissed and laughed at you while you try to swim. Opener band Section 9 plunged us in waters deep of the brutal death metal cesspool! I hesitate to call them “slam” as I’m not keen on the label but the pieces were there for that. Soundwise they play a death metal akin toward the likes of early Splattered Cadaver but adjusted for modern inflation.
Deep chugging guitar riffs dominated with the speedy blasting sections while feeling, nastily using a seven-string guitar to dig in deep that gave extra wallop to their meatiest of their slams. A single guitarist band they made up some good ground on larger more equipt bands on this front by having a fair ounce of personality to his playing, even trying his hand a messy solo or two. Unfortunately coming through a murky sounding mix meant much of the guitars sound felt quite distant to the thundering bass and onslaught of drums.
Skillful drummer Luke Lockley was extra fast and brutal, with tight snare work and blast beats galore. Although he did have a few sloppy moments as did with all the member, it didn’t hamper them too much, in fact, I felt the sloppiness added to their charm giving them a raw feel and old school personality. Vocalist and part of the promotion team that brought us this gig, Ross McFarlane had an impressive touch to a degree, with deep vocals growls, as well as a fairly strong stage presence that only needs a spot of work to boost.
After a few goods and fun grindy death tunes, they pulled out a possibly ill-advised Sepultura cover of “Roots Bloody Roots” complete with guest vocals from Will Whyte (from Bitterwood) who seemed a little lost on stage and in the mix. This brought the score down a touch for me. but forgivable with it being such a familiar number the band and crowd all seem to be having fun both on and off stage. After that slight fumble, the band gave up their darkest final tracks to go out with. These decidedly more old school flavored and darker helped vastly with the venue's lighting adding some thick atmospherics. With the first and best track “Kill you back” being introduced as being about “being facefucked to death by a zombie” adding an extra dimension to their sound in the darkness. To sum up, this opening salvo band was a heavy and mercilessly fun set to kick everything off in high gear. A great opener! [7/10]
Get entry to the sick section here:
https://www.facebook.com/section9/
The prize for the best beards of the night goes to this band: the proud Fractured Perceptions who came on next. Impeccably dressed and stylishly garbed they made a smart impression. Taking a dip in the heaviness level these Aberdeen technical groove metal maestros had a lot to make up for to avoid a jarring gap. The danger here of losing ground in the change from the first band set the bar deep and heavy. For the most part, they did well to gain ground through their stylish moves and riffs.
Sounding progressive in their abilities they sliced Gojira moments and with an edge of technicality anointed with their own magic juices, including nice rapid tapping sections. Showing there are more than competent guitarists on stage they weaved some dramatic movements. Let down only slightly the guitars suffered from a bit of a cloudy mix for this band, but were more than able to work well with this through the strength of their tunes.
Frontman Chris Shepherd was hugely charismatic, commanding and warm to the audience, and had vocals that ranged from some middling singing to some fairly low growls, oozing more of confidence than ego. The mighty six string bass he wielded felt possibly underutilized, while not being too shy not to be rocking in its places.
The jazz-like complex drumming from Josh Sherer was a real gem to their sound, having almost as if he is wired differently to the rest of us normies. Playing in a very styled yet subtle mood and sound that didn’t even break the flow when the ride cymbals and stand all fell over mid-set. Twice. Engaging though in the back, and a strong performer. Overall, It might be a case or heaviness inertia from the last band, these metallers although talented and well produced, it came across in the end as just not a memorable as they could have been after they stopped playing. This was a job well done though of setting the mood for what followed. [7/10]
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https://www.facebook.com/fracturedperceptions/
Next up and battling through from Perth were familiars Threshold Sicks. Coming in despite some illness and injury the band suffered through of late, they kicked out their tunes to a beefy and huge volumed start. They felt like another step up towards the heavy end of the scale again, despite not quite as mayhemic as the death metal at the start of the night. The weird but effective ground up a mix of flavors they brought seems to just what was needed to pick the night up a little further upwards. Groove metal, metalcore, and thrash metal were all there in large handfuls to make a tasty cocktail.
The sound much more the complete and concise this time around from the last time I saw them. These guys had the sound and impact much greater with their audience this time. This was much more a standard set of numbers, Heavy and straight to the point! Metal as fuck! With all the right kind of cues and nods to the right area of thrash and groove with crusty metalcore breakdowns, the Threshold Sick guys left not much to complain about. No drifts into unnecessary technicality here: though having grinding guitars twists from time to time added a pinch on the right death nerve. Nice. Thundering bass grooves picked up the back end nicely adding some impressive oomph to the important moments, while the thrashing drums kept everything in high gear, smooth and practical.
While vocally the growls and shouts of Kristian Sator added some great prompts with plenty of kicks of power juice, it showed clearly that he was clearly was having a bloody good time up there. Great to see and this feedback greatly to the crowd and vice versa, that it wasn't long before the room felt more alive than ever. A terrific set and deservingly earning quite the praise and reaction from the crowd. Great work! [8/10]
https://www.facebook.com/thresholdsicksofficial/
The next band Grievance was marking a comeback of sorts with them be absent from the local scene for a few years while they worked out few let’s say “personal issues”, but back they are. Even launching a new crisp music video single for their track “Wither” (Video below). They know how to make an entrance back on the scene, screaming loudly “We’re back!”
Up to brim full of passion the style they play is a kind of djenty metalcore akin to the likes of locals Black Blood but with a bit more of a softer and chorus filled and catchy brand. I would hesitant in saying that they were the softest band of the night but the hook based blend of metalcore that steps close to deathcore certainly had its movements of heavy. Headbang worthy if a little predictable. Instrumentally the 5-piece played well and seemed confident in their material though nothing to push the boat out about. The vocalist was very strong and in the zone here, was well enveloped in the moment of each tune and put his soul into every scream and chorus. He even ventured into the pit area and on his knees for the final dramatic finale of their set.
As what seems to inevitably happen to me at shows I found myself getting distracted and regrettably I missed a good chunk of their set to pints and conversation elsewhere. But from what I saw they put on quite a good show for the younger crowd goers. In fact, they made me a little feel old for the crowd for this one was it seem most made up of teenagers and what looked like a huge bunch of friends and fans. A great turn out. What looked like a lot of fun to be a part of despite all the “hardcore dancing” nonsense in the pit. This kind of thing wasn’t for me, nut “Each to their own” I suppose. Props for keeping the kids amused for the time being while the adults got the pints in. [7/10]
File in with human resources here:
https://www.facebook.com/GrievanceUK/
We weren’t done for the karate kicks yet though as final support band Lashing Out brought out an older set of hardcore dancers to the scene again with their brand of brutal death metal and tough-guy hardcore fusion. Along the lines of Black Tongue emphasizing a beat down orientated style that all about the ultra-slow brutal beatdowns. We could call this style Slamcore? Beatgore? Brocore? Something… Downtempo deathcore? Whatever it is I seems to be where all the Throwdown and Terror fans went after those bands lost their thrill who treated the show as it’s a hardcore show than a metal one!
The Slam Worldwide clad singer was the grumpiest bunny in the room. Every other vocalist seems overjoyed to be on stage, but this guy looked totally fucked off angry and frustrated. He had a confrontational vocal style with a good range of shrieks and deep growls fitting with his style, but his attitude seems to fucking stink, this brought down my score a few pegs.
It was a fuck-heavy set, no doubt about it. But it felt lacking much else to talk about really, after the monstrous size their pit opener tunes and with occasional speedy blasting sections, which gave only quick shots of death metal. Slow Doom like beat downs giving more chugs than your mum can become quickly muted through repetitions. A band that has a key audience in mind, those who have their game faces on and are deeply submerged into hardcore. For the rest of us metallers this it all felt tiresome though gargantuan. [6/10]
Lash out at your own audience here:
https://www.facebook.com/lashingoutbd
The fatigue was just about setting in by the end of Lashing Out, but this only a slight down, as before we knew it Ingested took to the stage! Unleashing a new level of slaughterous slamming death metal! They took everything that came before in the night and mashed it all and all of us in with it. Producing a slickly modern and highly ruthless technical take on death metal while adding deathcore break downs and goregrind sludge growled vocals. Fantastic in every earhole. Brutal death metal at its finest, all the satisfying blastbeat neck-wreckers! The Slow and chunky groove filled breakdowns and intense heavy slams. Smashing!
The vocalist Jason Evans who had spent the gig so far manning their merch stall and talking to fans, I think was getting a feel for what the crowd wanted to hear. Onstage he seems very onboard and on point with is growls and deathly screams, while being very friendly and upbeat. A great job all around.
This is a band at a definitive peak of their prowess, producing an amazing sound that feels full of passion while also (if the new track they player are anything to go by) progressing their art further forward in a brutal direction.
Playing their classic “Skinned and Fucked” as a teased encore to finish the night on: cemented the evening as a classic night of carnage. This was truly an awesome show and finished on an inescapable high! Come back anytime guys! [9/10]
