Ghostfest (Saturday) - Day 1 @ Leeds University Union, Leeds

Ghostfest

Day 1 - Saturday

26.06.2010

@

Leeds University Union, Leeds

Leeds University Union opens it doors for two days of hardcore, deathcore and death metal spread over two stages.

The Honour Over Glory stage is showcasing some up and coming, as well as some established, albeit lesser known, bands. Sadly most of these pass by in a haze of hair and distorted guitars, that is until the Midlands finest Martyr Defiled step onto the stage. Their sound is massive, the kind that reverberates through the sticky floor and Matt Jones’ ear piercing, demon screams fill up the airless room. His vocals have a habit of running away and leaving the songs behind, despite the fact that the musicians are tight and their timing is near perfect. They show off their ability to handle sudden tempo changes, and in between their sporadic, chaotic moments they launch suddenly back into heavy, death metal riffage.

The headliners Knuckledust are less impressive. Fronted by a stocky, shaven headed singer, this band looks as if they put too much effort into appearing hard and not enough into their music. Trying to resurrect the sound of Rollins Band is one thing, but lacking in soul leaves them sounding like a talentless Sick Of It All. In place of angry punk spirit is an overkill of testosterone and meaty, repetitive metal riffs.

Warming up the Monster stage is Desolated with some sludgy death metal riffs and putrid vocals. The only stand out element of this performance is the fact that the bass player offers the only representation of a female musician over the entire weekend.

Next up is TRC. They give the kids here a taste of how hardcore might have been if the likes of Bad Brains and Black Flag’s influence still resounded through today’s scene. With their shaven heads and vests they show off their old school sound, with dual singers shouting over some punk rock riffs and giving full on aggro attitude.

Scotland’s Bleed From Within play a blinding set featuring a mix of songs from their debut album and also their recent release ‘Empire’. Scott Kennedy demonstrates his ability to perform his trademark insane key changes live. His impressive vocal range is supported by a very tight band, creating a massive and impressive sound. They close with the mighty ‘Servants Of Divinity’ and the room erupts.

Fellow Scot’s Azriel take to the stage next. Despite their singer being too sick to perform, they play a fantastic thirty minute set, with their friend Kyle standing in on vocals. Today Azriel’s stage presence is as big as the singer’s rippling muscles. The crowd go ballistic for the young, deathcore giants, particularly during ‘Iscariot’.

Today is a comeback show for local band Clone The Fragile who have been taking time out and the singer admits ‘It’s been emotional’. Their sound is a mix of catchy rock n roll riffs, with some heavier moments, guitar solos which get lost in the noise and some brutal vocals. They manage to pull off an impressive rendition of At The Gates’ ‘Slaughter Of The Soul’.

US based headliners The Acacia Strain storm onto the stage with one goal in mind: to make a much noise as possible. As vocalist Vincent Bennett announces ‘We are a very angry fucking band’ they rip into a set that epitomises their hatred. The American deathcore band dedicates a song especially to the UK Hardcore and straight edge scene. With songs about ‘Killing everyone and dying alone’ set against a thumping bass and a deep roar of vocals the crowd can’t help but react well to the headline act’s aggressive performance.

Day one over and it seems as if the contemporary music scene is populated by a lot of very angry young men who perhaps lack a cohesive goal in mind.

Reviewed by Vicky Miller
Photography by Marianne Harris