Rectal Implosion (4/5) prove to be a pleasant surprise. And that is the only time you’re ever likely to read that sentence. Having done my homework on each band’s Facebook page in advance of the event, this duo of miscreants struck me as a pretty one-dimensional noise-peddling grind-steamroller. Tracks running over the 2-minute mark seemed to be in the minority, and the riffage sounded fairly forgettable. It must have taken seconds for Rectal Implosion to dispel this idea utterly as their material oscillates between smashing you in the chops with a girthy riff truncheon and flash frying your brain with spiralling sweep progressions and adroit finger tapped soloing. If you were to imagine Necrophagist meets Dying Fetus you wouldn’t be a million miles away. What’s more, they offset this nicely by never taking themselves too seriously. Whereas banter is quite sparse (due, according to drummer/vocalist Wurzelz to their performance “being pretty knackering and that”) when it does come, these nuggets are pure gold. From the aforementioned example to the song intros; “This one’s about a film I saw where a blind samurai goes on this quest and gives this witch an abortion. It’s called ‘Blind Samurai Witch Abortion!’” So, excelsior to you, Rectal Implosion. I heartily recommend you catch this two-man powerhouse if they’re in your neck of the woods. Seldom do individuals of such technical ability and unrelenting ferocity manage to bolster their displays with such grin-worthy repartée.
Rectal Implosion
Regrettably, this is not the case with thrashers Tyrant (1.5/5). To be honest, they’re something of a head-scratcher. Once again, their woeful recordings on Facebook leave you ill-equipped to know what to expect. Most of the riffs in their arsenal are pacey thrash, with barked hardcore style vocals from frontman Henri and some rumbling death growls from guitarist Rick. What’s more, the music ventures into prog-metal territory on a few occasions, with both six stringers demonstrating some nifty handiwork. In fact, all bar one of their line-up play with competence and a degree of flair. Their weak links however are twofold. Primarily, I and a few others present notice that although the playing and song writing isn’t bad, they just don’t seem to gel. There’s something left wanting, which leads the cynic within me to believe that probably a successful vehicle for their talents awaits, but Tyrant isn’t it. It strikes me as a springboard to other things. Secondly, and crucially, their frontman can’t sing. Occasionally one can look the other way at some ropey vocals. I noticed Chris Reifert is to all intents and purposes a bit shit recently whilst reviewing Autopsy’s latest, but he does manage to play drums as well. If you’re specifically recruited for your ability to perform vocally, then you should be able to do that.
Tyrant
I’m underwhelmed once more at Deathcore act, The Stanford Prison Experiment(1/5). I’m not going to sully your eyes by embarking on some righteous indignation fuelled diatribe decrying the evils of this genre, although to be honest, with the odd exception I do fucking hate it! Journalistically objective head screwed well and truly on, therefore; their set begins predictably, and we hear the first breakdown under a minute in. To give credit where it’s due, there are some blinding tremolo riffs from time to time, and vocalist Jamie does a stellar job, switching between ear splitting highs and the characteristic pig squeals with seeming ease. He also delivers his performance with total conviction. However, the fact remains that I and probably just about everyone who knows shit from sugar will have heard exactly the same tired stuff before. Therefore, although there are moments of promise many in the audience lose interest with startling ease and by the end of the set, their disinterest is almost palpable.
TSPE
This leads us on to Diascorium (4/5), a band who can invoke any reaction apart from indifference. If you’ve never had the pleasure, they play a kind of ultra-technical death metal, but with a USP which sets them apart from the Origins and Decrepit Births of this world. Their pool of influence is quite broad, as you’d expect given the varied projects whose involvement their lineup can claim, from black metal, grind and death metal to Kiss covers! Therefore, aside from compacting as many riffs and time changes into one song as most would do in their entire catalogue, Diascorium also integrate strong elements of doom and black netal into their sound. This obviously makes proceedings all the more interesting and varied. The DM backbone is comparable in style to that of Braindrill. They’re certainly the only band I’ve heard that come close to a comparison with their frenzied sweep picking attacks and ADD time changes. The addition of these external elements means that it’s not just all widdle all the time and Diascorium know how to slow things down, throw in an ominous BM riff here and there or just get the lead out and blast. This produces an interesting effect on the audience as we literally have no idea what to expect next, leading many to stare on in moist-chinned incredulity. It does have one slight drawback in a live setting, which is that it’s a devil to headbang to unless you happen to be a quadriplegic weightlifter.
Also, there’s no room for singalongs as vocalist Bernard alternates between abrasive blackened highs and the more standard lows with little regard for the audibility of lyrics. They even (attempt) to play a song backwards, although you’d probably never have known this had they not announced the fact, given the mind-dissolving intricacy of their set. We’re also treated to a new track, which we’re assured is so hot off the presses that they barely know it, although they seem to do a pretty damn good job of playing it considering! If you like you metal uncompromising, diverse and mystifying therefore, come see this band, or at least give them a listen.
Rectal Implosion’s Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rectal-Implosion/255366281142585
The Stanford Prison Experiment’s Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheStanfordPrisonExperimentUK
Tyrant’s Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tyrant.uk
Diascorium’s Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/diascorium
Bottom Line
A great training ground for local unsigned talent (if you like death metal).
This guy obviously can’t, and I quote “tell shit from sugar”
Best keep on collecting the tax Danny!
February 23, 2012 at 11:49
Oh dear. A member of The Stanford Prison Experiment, maybe?
February 27, 2012 at 13:35
Ha. Possibly. Incidentally Tyrant were much more gracious about what I wrote here and I’ll more than likely go to some of their gigs in future. A little courtesy goes a long way!
March 5, 2012 at 15:15 OneMetal Team Member