In the current metal scene, it feels as if the riff is making a triumphant return and three of the brightest proponents convene to display their wares on what promises to be one heavy evening. I don’t know what’s happening on the south coast, but Brighton is becoming a hotbed of metal and with Tribe Of Ghosts on the scene, that’s understandable. Their fusion of industrial and post-metal is not for the faint-hearted, and neither is their incendiary live show. With unbridled energy, they set about tearing up the stage with the guitarist (and co-vocalist) being particularly animated. It’s the band’s twin vocal attack that’s the major selling point and pits the clean against gruff, and the effect is fairly arresting. I predict big things from sure beginnings.
While it is certainly true that you can’t judge a band by its name, the moniker Mountain Caller should give a good indication of what’s in store. Proving that music speaks louder than words, their instrumental sound is expansive and evocative, and places strong images in the mind’s eye. In an age where most bands retreat down a generic cul-de-sac, Mountain Caller are refreshingly original and it’s hard to pick out any obvious influences, although I’d draw a parallel with Yndi Halda (albeit, this crew are far heavier) and the two share a similar aesthetic in terms of building soundscapes. Drummer Max Maxwell proves himself a beast behind the kit and not since Dave Lombardo’s introduction to ‘Reign In Blood’ have I heard drums sound so huge and cavernous as they do on the Caller’s latest single ‘March Of The Göll’. Yet, the whole band are on fire, making good use of light and shade, and ensure they’re a three-piece who sound far bigger than their individual parts.
Having appeared in many end-of-year “best of” lists, there’s a real buzz surrounding Urne and you can sense it crackling the air. You get the feeling that many present will one day tell their grandchildren about the time they saw this bunch demolishing a small stage in Birmingham; Urne are on a trajectory towards the biggest venues and they’re getting there the right way by putting all the legwork in. That the band have a sense of urgency becomes immediately apparent as they appear with little warning and land the sucker punch that is ‘Flood’. It is as if a dam has burst and an unstoppable torrent is heading our way and will subsume us beneath an incomprehensible weight. Vocalist Joe Nally stalks the stage like an angry golem, his bass thumping our chests, guitarist Angus Neyra dredges riffs from the depths of hades while drummer James Cook delivers a variety of earthshaking beats which ensure things never become staid. In fact, it’s this aspect that sets Urne apart from their peers; while much sludge/doom/stoner metal drags itself along cumbersomely like Sabbath’s proverbial ‘Iron Man’, Urne prove themselves surprisingly spry. They aren’t afraid to throw anything in the mix, and subsequently groovy, classic rock sections are fused to ferocious blast beats, and the sound created is akin to hippopotami copulating (whilst a tower block is demolished nearby). The band plough through a solid set that flows exceptionally well (thanks to those sonic shifts) and leave us with the one-two punch of ‘Desolate Heart’ and ‘Memories’, before they depart on their way to squash another town. On tonight’s evidence, i looks like those plaudits are thoroughly deserved.
Mountain Caller Set List:
- Trial By Combat
- The Archivist
- March Of The Göll
- Beyond The Black Horizon
- Daybreak
Urne Set List:
- Flood
- To Die Twice
- Serpent & Spirit
- Becoming The Ocean
- A Feast On Sorrow
- Tomb So Frail
- The Burden
- Desolate Heart
- Memories
