One Step Beyond, Beyond MortalDreams, Murder Hill and HatredSlave @ Enigma Bar (22/06/07)

Tue 3rd Jul, 2007 in Gig Reviews

This event, showcasing four of Adelaide’s excellent extreme metal acts, reminded me right from the time I walked in the door, of gigs of old. For a start, there was hardly anybody there. Like many gigs in recent times, crowds have gotten smaller. Many of the old die-hards rarely turn up to shows these days; or perhaps it’s a legacy of having so many international acts on our doorstep: something which, in Adelaide at least, we’re unaccustomed. People are saving their hard-earned cash for the big shows where they know they can splurge.

The lethargic nature of the crowd seemed to transmit itself to the bands at this gig. One Step Beyond, usually a great show even at the end of a night when the band members are all smashed, played what was a disappointing set. Perhaps the band don’t jam as much as they used to, or maybe some magic in the setup is lost because, while they played well, the band members all seemed like they were playing on their own. Additionally, while it’s been nearly a year since Jeremy left this earthly paradise for another, the band have not recovered—and if this set is any indication, I don’t think they will. Matt (Rufus) is a good guitarist, but the missing East Bay Ray sound that Jeremy provided, and the soul that Jeremy put into his guitar work, is missing. Much of the tracks sound empty, like Matt is really just getting through the music, and doesn’t have the time (or perhaps, the energy) to do it really well. However, I don’t want to sound like I”m dissing the band, because it was still good, and I love their work: but the benefit of hindsight just made it disappointing.

Beyond Mortal Dreams seemed afflicted by much the same apathy as OSB. I always look forward to seeing BMD play; but they seem to have lost their sparkle. Despite frontman Pahl’s beautiful crowd-working techniques, rooted as they are in old school extreme metal, the band are never very exciting to watch, and I have a feeling that the rest of the band tend to let Pahl’s great work fall flat. But the murmuring undercurrents of evil that typify BMD’s sound was as infectious as ever.

I have to say that, though I try really hard to get into Murder Hill’s music, I just can’t. Something in me blocks out that vocal style and I just can’t get into it. It’s a shame, because their music is tight, well-played, and heavy in a way that makes you want to bang your head hard. Suffice it to say, I only caught the last track which, while far more energetic than the other two sets previously, still grated. Sorry boys – you put on a great show; I just wish I could get into it.

Murder Hill also tend to draw a different crowd than the other bands, appealing as the band does to a younger group of punters with their almost nu-metal vocal style. It was great to see Enigma fill up with these kids. But it was not so great to see them drain out again almost as soon as Murder Hill had finished their set.

The final band for the night was the one I’d waited so long to see: Hatred Slave. Much of the apathy from the early sets had by now melted away, perhaps with the increasing flow of drink, and the growling, fast, thundering evil sound filled the air. No matter how many times I see Hatred Slave, I am never disappointed with their sets, and this one was no exception. Unfortunately, I couldn’t stay for the whole set due to commitments very early the next morning, but by hell I wished I could’ve. I only wish the young crowd had stayed behind to see Hatred Slave, because their set really was one not to be missed.