There seems to be a fantastic underground following of metal in Perth. With the amazing amount of metal talent visiting these shores recently, Perth is finally getting their fill. Tonight, walking through the Amplifier Bar’s courtyard, a sea of black t-shirts and latex were in abundance. Bands like Grotesque and Suffocation have a truly focused following. They aren’t the kind of bands that get blow-ins off the street just to “have a look”, as occurs with more mainstream acts.

Although the venue was a way off capacity tonight, the crowd was definitely dedicated. Both bands indeed turned it on for the devout following. Grotesque showed that Perth can produce a damn fine death metal act, while Suffocation showed that they can still be at the top of their game, 17 years into their career.

Grotesque had a decent local following and rightly so, with all members of the band impressing. The band’s guitarist provided some great riffs and impressive solos, while the bassist showed his enthusiasm, which the crowd loved. While the band’s vocalist did have an impressive growl, it was somewhat over the top and in-between songs he would go between that growl and his everyday voice, while still remaining as serious as possible. While this took away from the credibility of the band somewhat, they put in an otherwise solid performance.

Suffocation quickly set up and took the bar staff by surprise with their eagerness to start their set. People waiting in the courtyard came rushing in as they heard frontman Frank Mullen scream out “okay, we’re ready!” As soon as Mullen finished these words, the band ripped into a set demonstrating their take on New York death metal, a genre they helped define. After the first song Mullen excitedly greeted the crowd and seemed to have a friendly and enthusiastic personality that connected with the crowd. The eager audience lapped up his energy and as the frontman provoked the crowd to cheer, headbang or go harder in the circlepit, they happily obliged.

As Suffocation’s set progressed, the personalities of the other band members also came out. For a band of their genre and age, it was refreshing to see the entire band were so modestly grateful to be playing to such an adoring crowd. In-between songs the band members cracked jokes and laughed around and, while this didn’t make the show as brutal and as downright scary as it could have been, it was refreshing to see a metal act that didn’t take themselves too seriously. The band ripped through their set with great energy and direction, playing songs from throughout their career. Songs like Blind Torture Kill, the band’s brutal latest, slotted in nicely with some of their first songs ever written.

The sound was loud and crushing but still had a great crisp edge: guitarists Terrance Hobbs and Guy Marchais each had their own distinct sound and, when the band would pause for one of the two to play a fill, it allowed each of them to develop their own personality, something that worked well. Bass guitarist Derek Boyer secured a strong bottom end while Mullen’s voice ranged between growls and screams in marvelous fashion.

The two elements of then band that have given Suffocation their original edge and helped them stand out from the rest have been Hobbs and drummer Mike Smith. Tonight, these two excelled and the crowd enjoyed the performance just as much as the band’s drummer and guitarist did playing. Although he sat low and almost out of sight, Smith played crushing blast beats and proved he is still one of the most energetic drummers around. Hobbs ripped through some truly original solos that emulated haunting screams and contrasted with the heavy riffage of the songs. As Mullen stepped aside for Hobbs’ solos, members of the frenzied took the chance to storm the stage, diving into the crowd. Less energetic members appreciated the true musicianship of the guitarist and, whether the people simply looked on with amazement, headbanged blissfully or threw themselves around like rag dolls, Suffocation reinforced the loyalty of the Amplifier Bar crowd. The band repeatedly promised that this would not be their one and Australian tour and if tonight’s dedicated crowd all spread the word, there will plenty more in the crowd next time to appreciate one of the most experienced and passionate bands in death metal.