05.01
With a big opening that failed to get the granite like crowd moving, Liverpool’s thrash metallers, SSS, stormed and speeded their way around the stage. Taking no prisoners right from the get go, singer Foxy did his best to get the crowd moving. While some faces stayed stock still, others didn’t know what had hit them. SSS worked hard at it, so much so that the bands bassist played until his fingers bled! Scouse metal is obviously a concept lost on some, in a smaller venue with a more receptive crowd, SSS could really get pulses racing. [6]
Moseying onto the stage ten minutes before actually starting their set, middle act The Plight gave things a lot less energy than their predecessors. The pace of their sound was also slower, which seemed to please the crowd, but their style offered nothing stand out or distinctive. In several places during the set the guitars fell out of time with the drums and it felt as if the band were just going through the motions. Towards the end of the set the bands sound got more lively and interesting, perhaps once nerves had calmed they could tune into their sound and audience. [4]
Busting into action from the moment they got near the stage, the Cancer Bats thundered in and took control of the proceedings. Singer Liam Cormier connected with the audience straight away, involving them in every moment of the show. The atmosphere within the venue changed instantly, with the good old buzz of rock and roll kicking in. Bringing the noise and sustaining it through out the show, guitarist Scott Middleton’s riffs sound as good live as they do on record. Fusing aggression and optimism, Cormier’s lyrics give the audience something hopeful to shout about. The anthemic quality of songs such as ‘Hail Destroyer’ and ‘Deathsmarch’ helps Cormier communicate with the crowd and whip them into frenzy. Ending the set with fan favourite ‘Lucifer’s Armchair’, it is clear that the band get as much of a high playing as the audience do listening. [9]
Words: Emma Webb
Pictures: Felicity Matten
