Built on Secrets were unfortunately plagued by sound problems from the beginning of the set and never really looked comfortable for the duration of their time on stage. The bands familiar pop/rock foundations were layered with what seemed a rather confusing dynamic of unbaited hooks, breakdowns and temporary melody that didn’t really strike a cord with much of the crowd. Distracting backing tracks seemed as misplaced in their songs as they did in the line-up. To their credit though, Built on Secrets preformed well as individuals and actively attempted to get their point across despite a cold response.

Next up, Melbourne’s Mushroom Giant quickly warmed the room and lifted the standard to an almost awe inspiring height. Set-opener Graven Image instantly commanded the attention of everyone present and gained it rightfully so. As an instrumental act Mushroom Giant fill the subjective void left by the absence of a singer with an amazing visual display sharing themes of persistence and strength of the human spirit that’s a kind reminder of Pink Floyd’s epic ‘Live In Pompeii’.

Much like Sydonia intent and precision is what drives Mushroom Giant’s live sound. Complex chord progressions, time changes and epic compositions were executed effortlessly with comfort, ease and familiarity. Woman Heroin from their 2008 album Kuru was the perfect closer to the set and displayed amazing textural control, dynamic and balance that goes far to defining their sound.

Since playing their biggest gigs to-date across Australia with international mega-giants Slipknot, Melbourne’s Sydonia are again back on the road touring in support of their recent DVD release Through A Lens Is All We Are. As screened on the wall of the Evelyn in between sets, Through A Lens… provides a look into the bands recent career which includes not only multiple tours around Australian with the likes of Lamb Of God, Slipknot and Machine Head, but also an incredible journey throughout the US with Stone Sour. These tours accompanied by the release of their debut album Given To Destroyers and numerous nationwide supports with high profile Australian acts Mammal and Dead Letter Circus have begun to give the band some of the recognition they deserve. Not to mention one of the most eager and loyal fan base’s in the country.

Sydonia’s enthusiastic crowd greets the band on stage as warmly as the ambient backing track that signals their arrival. Light flourishes of guitar and percussion casually introduce the opening track Shame, which gently teases the brooding atmosphere. This initial wash of ambience is abruptly replaced by Sydonia’s thick trademark Deftones-esque riffs and exchanges lead singer Dana’s dulcet accent for a tortured wail. Approaching heavier ground with the first two new numbers for the night Sydonia ease the tension with the familiar title track from their debut album Given To Destroyers, a song that seems to have all the callings of a major single and is certainly a landmark in the Sydonia catalogue.

Immaculate sound gives Sydonia the opportunity to explore the outermost regions of the bands dynamic which is clearly what they relish. Stylistically subtlety plays a large role in the bands on-stage aesthetic as it gives greater room to reach the apex of their intensity. For a band that’s swept up in so much perceived lyrical emotion and despair, Sydonia’s gentle humour and friendly chatter between songs happily break the atmosphere throughout the set. Old favourite Sorry, and a trademark percussive jam (with special guest Trent from Mushroom Giant) accompanied by the third new song Ocean of Slaves push the boundaries of their dynamic in a known way that doesn’t seek to threaten or alienate their audience but entrance them with ease and familiarity.

Ostensibly Sydonia take the time to consider a reaction. With this in mind the satisfying set is temporarily closed with Rubber Bullet that complements the tense and rising momentum building throughout their set. After a brief departure Sydonia return to the stage with the same raging momentum by way of Incoming, the Orwellian inspired crowd favourite concludes the fiercely energetic set.

Tonight again proves Sydonia to be a world class touring act that’s competitive at the highest level. It’s really hard to not be drawn into their music and moved by the drive and momentum that’s carefully sustained throughout their show. The concentrated way they seek to affect their audience is what makes all the difference in the end. Sydonia’s music is something that denies popular convention in favour of a style and aesthetic that is purely it’s own, and will hopefully be the key to their success in the future.