Tag Archives: live review

Live Review: Emilie Autumn @ The Metro, Sydney – 18 March 2010

By: Bek Grealy
Emilie Autumn

Last night, we encountered Emilie Autumn and her Bloody Crumpets at The Metro theatre, Sydney.

Emilie Autumn’s performance was a two-hour theatrical extravaganza, a conceptual wing-ding that has only a tangential relationship to the normal procedures of rock ‘n’ roll. I recall Emilie’s My Space page a couple of years ago, which included portions of a predictable rock line of attack, and depicting evidence of this in the future events, with the maintenance of two support bands. It was, basically dubbed, a gig.

But now, it’s a show, and the difference is distinct. Emilie Autumn has taken a decisive step towards theatre. No support bands tonight – just an elaborately dressed stage, some equally elaborately dressed Bloody Crumpets, and Emilie Autumn the queen of the performance.
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Live Review: The Kill Devil Hills, Mexico City and The Blackwater Fever @ The Zoo, Friday 5th February 2010

By: Lana Harris

The Kill Devil Hills   The hazy, swampy chamber that is The Zoo in summer is a perfect match for the mettle of the bands tonight – a mash of blues, rock, and country fermented in the practice rooms of Brisbane and Fremantle. It’s a largely desolate frontier that welcomes The Blackwater Fever to The Zoo tonight. The Brisbane duo move slowly at first, floating pared back and mellow bluesy tunes. The third track brings some rock to the room, and some bodies are now bravely leaving window seats to move into the space in front of the stage.

Blackwater Fever slide from sludgy depths to rock and roll heights with a fullness of sound that challenges your eye sight: is it really just the two of them up there, making all that noise? Andrew Walters is a laconic drummer, while vocalist and guitarist Shane Hicks sings, slides and on occasion growls his way across the set. They finish with ’Taking Its Toll’, which it seems like it does, the track finishing the set with slow, deep melodies.
Continue reading Live Review: The Kill Devil Hills, Mexico City and The Blackwater Fever @ The Zoo, Friday 5th February 2010

Live Review | Lamb Of God @ Riverstage Brisbane 11 December 2009 w/ Devildriver, Shadows Fall and High on Fire

Author: Lana Harris
Lamb Of GodThe afternoon brought with it dark clouds that took away the light but not the heat, and those of us wrapped in black shuffled through the cyclone wire fence that surrounds Riverstage dripping with something a bit more corporeal than anticipation.

High on Fire began as soon as the gates opened, which meant they finished while I was still trying to fuel up on full strength beer before entering Riverstage’s mid-strength terrain. High on Fire are rumoured to have a huge sound, structurally destructive to smaller venues, and I had been keen to watch that sound explode in the open air of Riverstage. But with four bands scheduled, and only four hours to fit them in before Riverstage’s 10pm curfew, I should have known better.

Shadows Fall were second up, and put on a short, powerful set which showcased the blistering guitar solos the band are known for.

Continue reading Live Review | Lamb Of God @ Riverstage Brisbane 11 December 2009 w/ Devildriver, Shadows Fall and High on Fire

Live Review | Dream Theater @ Brisbane Convention Centre 3 December 2009 with Pain of Salvation

By: Hannah Collins

With the Majesty symbol out in force, The Brisbane convention centre slowly begins to fill as fans old and new await a set of mammoth proportions.

Dream TheaterThe venue is still relatively empty as support act, Pain Of Salvation (Sweden) begin to play. The 5 piece, consisting of Daniel Gildenlöw (vocals/guitar), John Hallgren (Backing vocals/Guitar) , Fredrik Hermansson (synthesizers) Léo Margarit (drums/backing vocals) and Per Schelander (bass guitar/backing vocals) announce themselves as “A Swedish band, with a French drummer… somewhat like Meshugga, but with notes”… an interesting analogy.

Their sound comprises of powerfully accentuated guitar work, progressive yet full, with a large and differential vocal range, being contributed to by the excessive use of backing vocals from three different members of the band. Although submitting to be a backup vocalist only, Hallgren seems to have a larger more substantial vocal sound, not only contributing to backup but taking whole sections of songs to claim as his own with his husky larger than life undertones.
Continue reading Live Review | Dream Theater @ Brisbane Convention Centre 3 December 2009 with Pain of Salvation

Live Review and Gallery: Island Vibe 2009 – North Stradbroke Island : What a fantastic weekend!

Review: Cody Alexander and Jon
Photographer: www.codyalexanderphotography.com- Cody Alexander

Island VibeFriday: The weather gods have smiled upon us, after a week of much needed rain the clouds have parted and the sun is beaming down on a collection of camper vans, cars and kombis, most filled with reggae fans eagerly waiting to be loaded on to the Stradbroke Ferry. Island Vibe 09 awaits!

As the ferry pulls away from Cleveland port there is a collective sigh of relief & one’s first taste of what Straddie’s Island Vibe Festival has to offer is found sailing across Redland Bay meeting fellow festival goers. I can hear three different cars pumping reggae beats whilst other passengers take in the fresh air and scenery. Cars are packed to the rafters with tents, hammocks, pets and kids.
Continue reading Live Review and Gallery: Island Vibe 2009 – North Stradbroke Island : What a fantastic weekend!

Live Review: Kreator + Mortal Sin @ The Metro Theatre, Sydney 24 September 2009

Kreator @ The Metro Theatre, Sydney 24 September 2009
KreatorOnly having one support act seems a trifle insufficient for a band of Kreator’s standing – insulting even – but that’s what confronts us Thursday night at the Metro Theatre. Still, it looks to be a promising evening. I have never, in fact, seen such a huge line to get into the Metro before, and that’s always a good sign as it suggests that the opening band is worth giving a shit about. That honour goes to Sydney’s Mortal Sin, a band that have been kicking around for nearly as long as Kreator. They do themselves proud. Though, unfortunately, by the time we get past the line and into the venue we’ve missed half their set – and of the half we do see most of it is taken up by that marvel of the rock n’ roll genre, the thrash metal ballad.
Continue reading Live Review: Kreator + Mortal Sin @ The Metro Theatre, Sydney 24 September 2009

Live Review: Anberin, The Academy Is, Werewolves @ The Hi-Fi, Brisbane 27 August 2009

Anberin, The Academy Is, Werewolves @ Hi-Fi Brisbane – 27 August 2009
Review by: Hannah Collins

Anberlin

On arrival at the venue, the long line of youths, streaming well down the road stands out like a sore thumb. Doors open sharply at 8 and upon wandering into the venue through a narrow side street entrance, sounds of the first act Werewolves, bellow down the stairs. On entry into the main viewing area, it’s notable that the crowds are still streaming in, an array of indie pop rock lovers complimentary to the line up of the evening. The atmosphere was positive, with most onlookers standing patiently in a favored spot, making sure they secure a position to get the possible best view of Bands to come.

The venue was perfect. Clean, new and open, with clear viewing of the main stage from both sides, rear bar and upper balcony. Well suited, dim but clear lighting made it easier for all to navigate through the flurry on the main floor.

Continue reading Live Review: Anberin, The Academy Is, Werewolves @ The Hi-Fi, Brisbane 27 August 2009

Live Review: COG “Between Oceans” Tour @ The Hi-Fi, Brisbane – 11th June 2009

Review by Bec

COG
[Photo: Stuart Blythe]
   Cog fans are a loyal bunch. They’ll come up to you and tell you how great their band is. “Sold out. Melbourne Hi-Fi, and now here,” one fan tells me. (He waits until he sees me write this in my notebook.) They’ll bear the unusually cold Thursday night to happily wait in line. And they’ll keep coming back to see Cog live – for some fans this is their fourth or fifth gig. Little wonder, if you believe what another fan proclaims: “Best live band – ever”. That’s a pretty big call.

Certainly, Sydney-based Cog is a WYHIWUG (what-you-hear-is-what-you-get) band. If you love their CDs then you’ll love their live shows. No disappointment there. Lead singer, Flynn Gower’s vocals, like his stage presence, are deliberate, steady and enunciated. He’s obviously a dedicated musician as are other band members, Lucius Borich, on drums, and Luke Gower on bass who is extremely animated on stage.

Continue reading Live Review: COG “Between Oceans” Tour @ The Hi-Fi, Brisbane – 11th June 2009