The few people that walk past vegan food/record store V Revolution are either baffled or intrigued by the noise that’s blaring out. It’s loud and heavy so it could only mean one thing, the owners have expanded from doing free acoustic sessions and have moved to a full all rounded amped up mini show featuring four of the best hardcore bands around, two of which are using this as a warm up of sorts for when they play with mathcore mob Rolo Tomassi later in the evening.
First up are newly formed Sheffield hardcore band The Pact, who feature members of Grazes and give an eye opening tight and fast set. Their craft is akin to early American Nightmare, not just in tone and style but also by the fact they have the potential to grab your throat and entice you to rip your vocal chords. What’s really intriguing is the odd manner of their frontman, who poses like a psychotic killer who you wouldn’t want to be left in a room with; there really aren’t enough weird frontmen in hardcore these days so this is refreshing. (3.5/5)
Despite technical difficulties, Durham’s Iced Out plough through all of their energy with their visceral brand of metallic hardcore. Menacing and pissed off, they have plenty of boot-crushing enthusiasm to destroy a lot of objects in the room; of course this can’t be done in a literal sense but their vicious vigour manages to sink in with ease. (3/5)
Oathbreaker from Belgium sound crystal clear with their harsh noise; utilising sharp jagged metallic riffs and eerie frightening tones they really feel like a much needed kick in the face. Vocalist Caro Tanghe provides some of the most terrifying screams imaginable under the mask of her hair as if she’s being possessed by a demon that cannot be exorcised. This should be the soundtrack to pure evil; terrific stuff! (4/5)
Welsh screamo quintet Goodtime Boys deliver a staggering performance of which is both graceful and frustration fuelled to the touch. The numerous melodies dance with the despair tinged vocals of Alexander Pennie who embodies the stamina of a troubled poet, releasing the demons that torture his mind. Nothing but sheer relentlessness, honesty and grandeur embody this magnificent set, no wonder American hardcore label Bridge 9 signed them, they have a fantastic career ahead of them, no questions asked. (4/5)
4/5
Words by Aaron Lohan (@ooran_loohan)
