So it’s a shitty night in Ireland, pissing rain all day and absolutely Baltic as we say here, and, it’s forecasted to snow. So what else do you do but a road trip to catch four Tech-Death Metal bands who themselves made the trip across the Irish Sea to entertain us. God help me getting home! But I’ll figure out that one later.
Tonight we are at Whelan’s in Dublin’s fair city and after fighting my way through the test time traffic we park 5 mins away and scarper down to the venue toot sweet! Arriving around 6:30 ish, 15 odd mins before kick-off we get into the venue and are ready for some extreme metal! There’s a healthy number of dedicated metalheads here ready to get into it and put the crappy Irish weather to the back of their minds for a few hours at least.
First up tonight we have Entheos and looking at the stage, we appear to have two drum kits for use and clearly, this evening has been sponsored by Kemper! Kemper as far as the eye can see! A Kemper for you, a Kemper for me, Kempers for everyone! So at least we know the sound will be on point! Just after 6:45 (early start this one) the two guitarists of Entheos take to the stage. Dressed in black both armed with white 7 strings they look poised ready to unleash the chaos that is Entheos, as the vocalist Chaney Crabb hits the stage their gnarly riffage fills this small room and the full force of the drum kit sitting towards the front of the stage is felt in my chest.
Entheos is a progressive death metal band that has recently released its latest album, “Time Will Take Us All,” on Metal Blade Records. The band has quickly gained a reputation as an exceptional live entity and for good reason. Their live shows are explosive, intense, and unforgettable.
Entheos is made up of some of the most talented musicians in the metal scene today. The band features Chaney Crabb on vocals, Navene Koperweis on drums, and Evan Brewer on bass and Brian James (ex-Fallujah) and Robert Brown (ex-Slaughter to Prevail) providing guitar Each member brings their own unique style and flair to the band, creating a sound that is truly one-of-a-kind.
When Entheos takes the stage, they bring an energy that is unparalleled. The band’s technical proficiency is on full display as they tear through their songs with incredible speed and precision. Chaney Crabb’s vocals are haunting and powerful, and her stage presence is electrifying. Navene Koperweis is a masterful drummer, and his complex rhythms provide the backbone for the band’s sound. Evan Brewer’s bass playing is thunderous and groovy, adding an extra layer of depth to the music and the guitar work is intricate cutting through the mix to lay down those punishing riffs.
One of the things that sets Entheos apart from other metal bands is their willingness to experiment and push boundaries. They seamlessly blend different styles of music, incorporating elements of jazz, funk, and even electronica into their sound. This experimentation is especially evident in their live shows, where they often improvise and add new elements to their songs.
Entheos is also known for their impressive stage production. The band’s visuals are always top-notch, with intricate lighting and stage setups that add to the overall experience. This attention to detail creates a fully immersive experience for the audience, making their live shows even more memorable.
With the release of “Time Will Take Us All,” Entheos has only solidified their reputation as one of the best live metal bands around. The album is a tour de force of technical proficiency, with intricate guitar riffs, complex drumming, and powerful vocals. The songs on the album are a perfect showcase for the band’s live energy, and fans can expect to hear them performed with even more intensity in concert.
A short but sweet set has Whelan’s whipped up into a frenzy, with the beautiful lady herself Chaney Crabb absolutely nailing her performance upfront, it was one seriously impressive set, Entheos is a force to be reckoned with in the metal scene. Their live shows are not to be missed, and their latest album “Time Will Take Us All” is a testament to their incredible musicianship and creativity. If you have the opportunity to see them perform live, don’t hesitate – it’s an experience you won’t soon forget.
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French tech-Death contortionists Benighted are up next and after a swift change over as they take no prisoners nailing hone their signature sound, the vocals of Julien Truchan cut through the room like a knife as the pummelling backline batters and bruises everyone in the room, fast a furious the angst ridden tracks stab and slice at you over and over again making their marks. Dublin is more than willing to take it, and then some begging for more as each song ends and roar fills the room and the band create this sonic tapestry building up to a crescendo dragging everyone along kicking and screaming in ecstasy! Julien is a powerful figure up front – head held high swinging his arm as if conducting an orchestra emphasising certain passages of each song for dramatic effect whilst his guttural vocals can be felt through your bones. His animality to change from guttural to a squeal in an instant keeps the crowd on their toes. The guys wrap up a powerful performance and Dublin are left shaking at their knees.
Benighted is a live entity like no other. With their ferocious energy, technical precision, and intense stage presence, they have become one of the most acclaimed live metal acts in the world today. The band’s ability to engage and entertain their fans through their live shows has earned them a loyal following, and for good reason.
Founded in 1998, Benighted consists of vocalist Julien Truchan, guitarists Emmanuel Dalle and Olivier Gabriel, bassist Pierre Arnoux, and drummer Kevin Paradis. With over two decades of experience in the metal scene, the band has honed their craft to perfection, creating a sound that is both technically impressive and emotionally engaging.
Benighted’s live shows are a spectacle to behold. From the moment they take the stage, the band unleashes an explosive energy that is contagious. With Truchan’s manic stage presence and the rest of the band’s precise instrumentation, they create a frenzied atmosphere that leaves the audience spellbound.
One of the things that sets Benighted apart from other metal bands is their ability to seamlessly blend different genres into their sound. Their music incorporates elements of death metal, grindcore, and even black metal, creating a unique and diverse sonic landscape. This experimentation is especially evident in their live shows, where they often improvise and add new elements to their songs.
The band’s technical proficiency is also a highlight of their live performances. The intricate guitar riffs, complex drumming, and lightning-fast tempo changes are executed with surgical precision, leaving fans in awe of their skills. This level of technicality is not just impressive, but also creates a sense of urgency and intensity that is unmatched by other bands in the genre.
Benighted’s live shows are also notable for their captivating stage presence. Truchan is a commanding frontman, engaging the audience with his dynamic stage persona and passionate vocals. The rest of the band members are equally captivating, each delivering their own unique style and personality to the performance.
Benighted is a live entity that must be seen to be believed. Their energetic and intense performances are a testament to their incredible musicianship and showmanship. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a newcomer to the band’s music, a Benighted concert is an experience that will leave you wanting more. If you have the opportunity to catch them live, don’t hesitate – it’s a show you won’t soon forget, the moshing alone throughout the set spoke volumes of how well they went down with the Irish crowd tonight, Benighted say they love Dublin, but clearly, it goes both ways.
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Up next are Australian tech death heavyweights Psycroptic, they’re a long way from home but Dublin will look after them no doubt. Psycroptic are a totally different entity to Benighted, fast and furious yes but delivers in a slightly more melodic form with the guitars working intricate pieces alongside the brutality of the tracks as they toss them out one after another on the unsuspecting Dublin crowd. Frontman Jason Peppiatt ensures everyone in the room is involved as he winds them up again and again, the guitar work is a beautiful contrast to the savagery of the overall behemoth sound from the hefty songwriting but the intricate lines played in between balances out the beauty with the chaos. Brothers Dave and Joe Haley are a blistering combination like the late great Vinnie and Dimebag, these two create the most frantic and majestic soundscapes that fill this room and melt your face. Can I have more please sir? The first band of the night to have the audience chant their name in-between songs, and the first crowd surfer, clearly the Irish appreciated a bit of Aussie metal.
Psycroptic has been a formidable force in the metal scene for over two decades. Known for their intricate instrumentation and frenzied energy, the band has become one of the most exciting live entities in the world of metal. Their live shows are a testament to their incredible musicianship and showmanship, and are not to be missed by any metal fan.
Formed in Hobart, Tasmania in 1999, Psycroptic consists of brothers Joe and Dave Haley on guitar and drums respectively, vocalist Jason Peppiatt, and bassist Todd Stern. The band’s technical proficiency is legendary, with intricate guitar riffs, complex drumming, and lightning-fast tempo changes that are executed flawlessly in their live performances.
Psycroptic’s live shows are a feast for the senses. The band’s stage presence is electric, with each member delivering a high-energy performance that leaves the audience spellbound. Peppiatt is a commanding frontman, engaging the crowd with his dynamic stage presence and passionate vocals. The rest of the band members are equally captivating, each delivering their own unique style and personality to the performance.
The band’s technical prowess is also on full display during their live shows. The intricate guitar solos, complex drum fills, and lightning-fast tempo changes are executed flawlessly, leaving fans in awe of the band’s skills. The band members’ chemistry and synchronization are impressive, making their live performances all the more compelling.
One of the things that sets Psycroptic apart from other tech-death bands is their ability to seamlessly blend different genres into their sound. Their music incorporates elements of death metal, thrash metal, and even jazz, creating a unique and diverse sonic landscape. This experimentation is especially evident in their live shows, where they often improvise and add new elements to their songs.
Psycroptic is a live entity like no other. Their intense energy, technical proficiency, and captivating stage presence make them one of the most exciting live acts in the world of tech-death metal.
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Finally Archspire are ready to take to the stage, three bands down and an unparalleled number of notes played in any one gig these crazy Canadians are here show us what it’s all a-boot! (See what I did there?)
The sound totally changes for Archspire’s set, that is the beauty of the Kemper, presets totally personalised for Archspire make sure they have the consistency they need for a tour like this, four powerhouse bands sharing one stage, sharing gear, sharing farts in a tour bus, but on-stage, they come into their own.
Canadian tech-death band Archspire is a live entity that has taken the metal world by storm. Known for their insanely fast and complex technical death metal sound, the band has become one of the most acclaimed live acts in the genre. Their live shows are a showcase of their incredible musicianship and stage presence, and are a must-see for any metal fan.
Formed in 2007 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Archspire consists of vocalist Oliver Rae Aleron, guitarists Tobi Morelli and Dean Lamb, bassist Jared Smith, and drummer Spencer Prewett. The band’s technical proficiency is nothing short of awe-inspiring, with lightning-fast guitar riffs, complex drumming, and intricate bass lines that are executed with surgical precision in their live performances.
Oliver’s interactions with the audience in between songs is one of the highlights of the night as he cracks jokes providing another level of entertainment to ensure this night will be remembered well beyond the performance alone.
Archspire’s live shows are a high-energy, adrenaline-fueled experience. Aleron is a dynamic frontman, engaging the audience with his intense stage presence and lightning-fast vocal delivery. The rest of the band members are equally captivating, delivering a performance that is both technically impressive and emotionally engaging.
The band’s ability to seamlessly blend different genres into their sound is also evident in their live shows. Their music incorporates elements of death metal, black metal, and even jazz, creating a unique and diverse sonic landscape. This experimentation is especially evident in their live shows, where they often improvise and add new elements to their songs.
The band’s technical proficiency is also on full display during their live shows. The intricate guitar solos, complex drum fills, and lightning-fast tempo changes are executed flawlessly, leaving fans in awe of the band’s skills. The band members’ chemistry and synchronization are also impressive, making their live performances all the more compelling.
One of the things that sets Archspire apart from other tech-death bands is their attention to detail in their live production. The band’s visuals are always top-notch, with intricate lighting and stage setups that add to the overall experience. This attention to detail creates a fully immersive experience for the audience, making their live shows even more memorable.
In conclusion, Archspire is a live entity that must be seen to be believed. Their intense energy, technical proficiency, and captivating stage presence make them one of the most exciting live acts in the world of metal. If you have the opportunity to catch this tour, this line-up do it, and you can thank me later.
As the crowd streamed out of the venue onto the freezing cold Dublin streets, freezing rain driving in the wind we are indeed grateful for the nights entertainment we have just witnessed, four of the best tech-death bands in the business just pummelled a small venue in Dublin and nobody running through the streets of Dublin tonight are any the wiser, it’s out dirty little secret.
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