Live reviews

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This years Bloodlust was bigger and better than last years. The new venue -Blacktown RSL- was a success, despite the obvious ‘No Spikes’ policy, the security guards having a big job on their hands trying to enforce it. Fortunately this did not extend to the bands as I do not think Secretain would have been quite as impressive to watch without them. And an added advantage from last year was that this venue had alcohol, pokies and old people looking at us suspiciously. However, the temptation of the downstairs bar meant that myself, and many others I am sure, did not watch as many bands as we should have.

The first band I caught was BLUDGEONER who were performing live for the first time. But with members ranging from such hardened Sydney bands as Miscreation, Decayed Divinity and Volatile the band members were certainly not lacking in experience. I think I mentioned in last year’s BloodLust review how much of a great front man I thought Mark (AKA Carcass, x-Miscreation) was. I still stand by that opinion after seeing him in front of Bludgeoner, their brutal death metal certainly making an impression. It will be interesting to see what these guys come up with in future.

It was the first time I had seen FORLORN SUFFERING who were replacing Lycanthia as they had to pull out a few days before the gig. I was pleasantly surprised by their Cradle of Filth style black metal, their sound only slightly suffering (no pun intended) from not having a keyboard player. On informing the crowd of their need for a new keyboardist, we all got a laugh when a girl shouted out ‘keyboards are for girls!’

Never having even heard MYTILE VEY LORTH before, I did not know what to expect, I thought maybe something along the lines of Lycanthia, but was quite surprised at their brutality. Mixing death metal male growls with female vocals. As I only caught the end of their set I am not quite sure what I think of them but look forward to seeing them again to make up my mind.

Australia has few melodic death metal bands and this is perhaps one of the reasons that INFERNAL METHOD are getting so much praise and hype. But the other reason is that they deserve it and have certainly been doing heaps of live gigs and putting in the effort. Their set on the day was tight and impressive as usual, proving once again that they are one of the best
acts in the country at the moment.

ABORTUS had some fun inciting the crowd to push over the Barricades at the front of the stage and the crowd had fun doing it, a few times. Just to keep the security guards on their toes.

ATOMIZER played an excellent set, which they described as one of their best ever. Their cover of Venom’s ‘Black Metal’ was a crowd pleaser, and will the Aussie crowd ever get sick of hearing ‘Now That’s Fucking Evil?’ Judging by the response they received when playing this song I think the answer would have to be a definite no.

CARBON, who’s members include G666 aka Gryphon from Astriaal, and foundering Member MK Holocaust aka Murtach bass play from Astriaal (ex-Newcastle’s Kult Chainsaw Lobotomy hehehe) played their old school grim black metal well, chucking in some covers including Immortal and Isengard

SECRETAIN, the final band of the gig, certainly looked the part, covered in spikes and wielding a large battle-axe. Their fast paced black metal certainly using up the last of the energy of the head banging horde after a long day of Aussie metal.

It was also good to see that the majority of people were wearing Australian metal T-shirt, perhaps this is because of the lack of overseas metal bands touring our shores, but no doubt also because there is so many excellent Aussie bands.

Bloodlust can only get bigger from here and I am already looking forward to going back next year. Keep up the good work Daniel! Support Aussie Metal!!!

Arriving early (but not early enough) I was able to catch the first band playing on the Impact (bar) stage. Contrive hit the stage with what was a healthy turn up. I was amazed because last years turn up for the first couple of bands on the bar stage was lacking. From start to finish Contrive gave the crowd a very hard hitting set. Their songs were executed with no dramas and came off sounding more brutal than the tracks off their ‘Finally!’ EP, which kept me happy.

Walking up into the main stage area to see what was happening I caught some of the last tracks from Resistica before Screamage came on. Screamage, one of the industrial metal acts playing on the day had a very strong gothic/industrial stage presence. I can’t remember the intro track but I know I enjoyed it. However I have very little interest or respect for the type of music Screamage play so I didn’t stick around long. Instead I wandered down stairs hoping that the redlazer lights attached to the guitarists plats hadn’t damaged my iris’s.

Back down at the Impact stage the turn up was growing and Enter VI had already hit the stage. After seeing their impressive show at the Palais Royale in Newcastle I wanted to see if they could pull it off again. Enter VI played a very strong set and I wasn’t disappointed. They seemed very pleased to be part of Metal for the Brain, and by the response of the crowd were very welcomed. Still feeling a bit under the weather from the night before I sat the next couple of bands out to save myself for the long day ahead.

One of the bands I was looking forward to seeing on the day was Van Daemons Land’s Psycroptic. Being the first extreme metal act of the day there was much anticipation. When Psycroptic hit the stage they played some of the best technical death metal I have seen live. The bulk of their set contained tracks from their ‘Isle of Disenchantment’ CD. Being such a young band and playing their second live show on the main land, I stood in a state of shock and awe as each track was executed with such presision. The band seemed just as amazed at the huge crowd’s reaction as the crowd was at Psycroptic’s performance. This is a band destined for great things and they were definatly the high light of the day. I look forward to seeing them do an east coast tour.

As Myrddraal were setting up for their set I met up with Chris from Decius Productions (Myrddraal’s label). Chris informed me that Pitt had slashed up his chest and he was worried that he would have to be taken to hospital. The band were just about to start when Surt started slashing his chest too. Yes, you have to love their dedication. Myrddraal’s early 90’s era black metal had a good live sound and they played most tracks from their ‘Blood on the Mountain’ CD. Lengthy songs like Daughter of the Night and Blood on the Mountain became a bit repiticious live and unfortunatly they lost some of the interest of the crowd.

After Chalice I thought I would spend quality beer time back in the bar. While I was hanging around the outside section or in the line up for a cold ale Elysium, who replaced Lord Kaos played. Their sound had improved since I caught them at the Bloodlust gig and I also noticed they played a few new tacks off their upcoming release. Also while wondering around the bar area I was able to catch Queensland’s Devolved who I had a chat with prior to Metal for the Brain. I was impressed that Jon did live up to his words and his live performance kept the drum beats as intense as they are on the album. I ended up only having a mild epeleptic fit, skulled my black ale and headed upstairs to catch Sakkuth.

Sakkuth replaced Black Steel, who couldn’t make it due to the Anset debarcal which left me with mixed emotions. Since my new found interest in power metal bands I was looking forward to seeing Black Steel, however Sakkuth was a more than adequate replacement. They were definatly the highlight at last years gig, and this year were just as amazing. Playing their very Swedish, at The Gates sound, Sakkuth played the classics like Time and Sweet Nectar and also tracks off their debut full length album. Sakkuth, showing that they can compete with any overseas melodic death metal act, left a strong impression with numerous people previously unaware of the bands existence.

Bloodduster were extremely entertaining this year. Opening their set with the homeboy persona/nu metal look, of course in utter mockery only. The on stage antics were pushed to the limits and most of their set I was in stiches. Smashing guitars, pulling rock/homie poses, getting naked, shooting the crowd with super soakers and throughing out beers to the under aged were all part of their act. I think one girl summed it up when I over heard her gushing comment, “I would do anything for Bloodduster, I would give them my right arm.” You really can’t get a more entertaining band than ‘da Duster!!!’

Volatile are always great value when it comes to their live shows. Playing exclusively their brand of mongo yobbo grind, Volatile are set to entertain and offend. This year their was no onstage BBQ, so the crowd went hungry. There was however a life size Satan Claus which was later grinded in the set and Nigel was dressed as a member of the taliban. Shane had a couple of guitar problems at the start and the grinder was stuck in Satan Claus for awhile, but nothing can bring Volatile down. All sample quotes found on the album were incorperated into the set. Ackmed the Fuch Head was play in full afgany style with kane doning the beard, turban and machine gun look. Volatile remain one of my favourite live acts and it was good to see that there were more people with volatile shirts than with Bloodduster ones.

So far it had been a long day, lack of sleep and energy was catching up to me and I still had a few more bands I was keen to catch. Atomizer were playing on the main stage and I caught them when they were half way into their set. Fortunatly I hadn’t missed Now That’s Fucking Evil, and was content when I got to hear it. Gospel of the Horns played next and at this time I was having trouble trying to stay awake, so I sat this one out and enjoyed listening to their set from up the back.

I arose when Dungeon hit the stage and went back up the front. Tonight was Dungeon’s new guitarist’s debut gig with the band. And fuck did he fit in, he sounded like he had been in Dungeon all along and even sung the Accept cover (from memory). Lord Tim may not have changed his jeans since the 80’s, but he showed himself to be a powerful frontman in Dungeon. Playing the classics like No way Out and Wake Up, as well as ending the set with Iron Maiden’s Proweler, leaving me with renewed energy. One of my mates was chatting to a guy who just came back from Wakken and he said that that the power metal bands that played there didn’t even come close to Dungeon live. Their set definatly proved that they are strong leaders in the power metal scene, sadly being Australian means some people may never find out.

Gryplon laughed when I suggested that Astriaal had a new found fame but their set at Metal for the Brain proved me right. Headlining the main stage enforced that they are professional, qualified musicians. Playing the strongest set of the day Astriaal showed the crowd what Australian black metal is all about. Their set covered a diverse range of tracks from their demo, EP and limited vinyl release. This was a great way to end the night, with Astriaal stuck in my head for the walk home to the Jammison Inn.

Sadly I was too exhausted to stay awake for Hellspawn and Lycanthia especially knowing that I had a half an hour walk ahead of me, but I vow next year to see the whole night through. Overall this years Metal for the Brain was a huge success and all praise should be directed to the Alchemist boys and all who were involved in the organisation and running of the gig. For more info on this annual event visit the website at: www.metalforthebrain.com
*Written by Jason, Edited by Empress Amber*

A 2 and a half hour drive from Newcastle on a rainy Thursday morning was a small sacrifice to make for 12 hours of some of
Australia's finest extreme metal. Bloodlust's line up consisted of 11 bands that were ready to prove that metal is still alive and
kicking in the Sydney area and beyond. I arrived about half way through Cherub Mafia's set, the first band to embrace the
stage. Cherub Mafia were totally unknown to me and I would have been happy if they had stayed that way. Strongly influencedby the nu-metal wanker scene, they do get some credit for originality (?) by incorporating a second vocalist who added the
occasional death vomit blurt in the vein of dirty grind into their songs.
Another unknown band to me, Apocalypse, where next to hit the stage. This hardcore metal act played a good strong set.
The guitarist looked like none other than the Reverend Kris Hades, but I am not positive that it was.
Baraka came across strong playing basically heavy metal with touches of nu-metal influences. At this time the crowd was
getting into the full swing of things. The kiddies went wild when they ended their set with a Slipknot cover, leaving the rest of us
to wonder, why?
At last a band I was familiar with, Abortus. Thrashing death metal at its best, they mixed their set with songs from their Judge
Me Not CD like the classic 'All That Was' and 'The Shit That Grits Your Teeth' with new tracks off their forth coming CD.
Jack the front man kept the crowd entertained with his comments between songs.
Sydney based Lycanthia began their set with the majestically emotional 'My Darkness' which set the mood for the rest of their
set. New female vocalist Mandie did a great job, her gothic female vocals contrasted with the harsh male vocals of this dark
doom metal band. They played a beautiful and inspiring set, playing song's off their Myriad album as well as a couple of new
songs which sounded heavier and very promising.
Headmess ripped up the stage with their strong mixture of hardcore/death/grind tracks. A promising new act to rise from
Sydney, unfortunately they couldn't produce blood from the crowd, just spit!
Probably Australia's finest new brutal death metal act, Miscreation took to the stage next. Minor problems with the guitar to
begin with were over come and they played an extremely amazing set with well executed, brutal as fuck death metal. Front man Mark had an intense stage presence and this set tuned out to be one of the highlights of the gig.
Ah Volatile, what could possibly be said about this band that doesn't involve beer, BBQ's and blowing things up. In true
Volatile style the boys chugged down VB on stage knowing full well that they were exempt from the alcohol free rule of the
venue. Of course the onstage BBQ was lit and sausages cooked by an apron adorned Kane. Balls were also hit into the amused crowd with a tennis racket. Stage antics aside, Volatile played a good set and we got a taste of some new Volatile songs off their upcoming album. Obnoxious Aussie humour at its best.
After hearing that Lord Kaos had pulled out I was looking forward to hearing their replacement, Elysium. However this set
turned out to be very disappointing. The songs sounded boring and the sound mix was shit, it was almost impossible to make out the melodic keyboards which are so prominent on the Dreamscapes album. This ment that the songs were hard to recognise and the typical Elysium sound was just not there. A very disappointing set from a band I know could do so much better.
The band who travelled the second greatest distance was Canberra's extremely talented Psychrist which in my opinion is one
of Australia's best extreme metal acts. Death metal with strong black metal influences, Psychrist played an assortment of tracks
from their debut self titled album, their Embrace Rapture in Disgust album and new up coming album Debauching the Minions.
With a strong stage presence, Psychrist delivered a great set and received the strongest reaction from the crowd.
Queensland's Astriaal seem to be getting a lot of attention lately, which is ofcourse well deserved after their Summoning the
Essence of Ancient Wisdom EP and after witnessing this set their new found 'fame' became even more understandable. Intense
black metal and great harmonies created the over all dark atmosphere, and the mighty spiked ones played all tracks from the
Summoning...EP, old demo tracks, as well as some new tracks.
But, alas, all gigs come to an end and with the final electrifying Astriaal song came the end of what was a great metal gig.
Bloodlust was a great success and congratulations go to Daniel the gig organiser. I am sure everyone would agree with me
when I say that hopefully this will become an annual thing and there will be plenty more Bloodlust gigs to come.
*Jason and Empress Amber*

The Palae, despite its lack of alcohol, is a great place for a gig. Its big with high ceilings, heaps of floor space and plenty of seating. But when it comes to a metal gig like this one it can make what really was a decent crowd seem like a measley turn out. Had the gig been held at the Hunter on Hunter for example it would have seemed like a huge crowd. But apart from this it was a great venue for the occasion.
I arrived lat missing the first set from Incolence. I am told though that they are pretty good. Hopefully I'll get to catch them another day. I also only caught the last song from Scar Child's set. I can't really remember what they sounded like, except for them having a bit more than a slight resemblance to silverchair. I did not find them too impressive but a lot of the younger crowd were getting into it.
Equinibrium were up next. It was obviouse that this was the band most people, again mainly the younger ones, had came to see. Equinibrium sound like Slipknot, act like Slipknot and even wear masks to complete their very Slipknotesque performance. This seems to have gotten them a decent fan base in the Newcastle area so I suppose they shall continue along this road. i shouldn't be too hard on them though, they played well together and managed to get the crowd going. Oh and they did have a turn table, a very unmetal instrument but I don't think Slipknot have one!
Next up on the bill was Ultranoise. I didn't know how to describe them other than unique, that was until I was told by a reliable source that they sound just like Stuck Mojo. Unfortunatly I can't clarify that myself as I don't know what Stuck Mojo sound like. Never the less, I appreciated the wierdness of the band, although few of the crowd seemed to feel the same. Ultranoise are hardcore/thrash/ something else I can't quite put my finger on.
A lot of people seemed to disappear between Ultranoise and Enter XI, and when the band took the stage the drummer made himself clear that every one had to come down the front. His persistence ended up paying off. Enter XI sounded great and their sound technition looked extremely proud of the band, and himself I'm sure. The new front man did a great job and the band played three new songs, the rest were off their debut album 'Dreams.' I have a new found respect for Enter XI now, the album did not excite me much but their live performance certainly did. The crowd seemed impressed too, and afterwards there was a crowd at the merchandise stand where the Enter XI guys were signing stuff and chatting. It was obviouse that this gig had earned Enter XI a lot of new fans.
*Empress Amber*