DEFYING DECAY
A sold-out O2 gig equals huge queues outside the venue and so it’s a mad dash to catch the first band ‘Defying Decay’ who are kicking off the show tonight. The rush proves worth it, for the seven musicians onstage are serving up a frantic slab of warm-up to an incoming crowd, complete with decks and no less than three keyboards. Torch lights are shone from all levels when requested, the band have grabbed attention with their alternative brand of Nu-Metal which hinges heavily on a stomping guitar rhythm and thudding bass drum beat. There seems to be a theme for the band outfits, it’s a mixture of black uniforms for six of them and vocalist Jay Poom Euarchukiati stands out in a sky-blue suit whilst belting out those growls. The skilful cover of My Chemical Romance’s ‘Welcome To The Black Parade’ kicks the energy up a further notch and by the last song of the set there is no hesitation from the crowd to fulfil the band’s wall-of-death request which takes the floor to the next level of crazy and pays off with loud applause as the band leave the stage thanking Bristol “very f*cking much!”
REVIEW: Suzi Bootz
Defying Decay is:
Jay Poom Euarchukiati – Vocals/ Guitar/ Synths
Song Chitpat – Guitar
Pon Ujjin – Guitar
Mark Mironov – Drums
Bunn Bnn – DJ/ Programmer
Pleng Thongboonma – Bass
Jennie Natanich – Keyboard/ Synths
Social Media Links:
Facebook || Instagram || Twitter || YouTube
Photography: Emma Painter // Pacific Curd Photography
LANSDOWNE
Five-piece Boston Rockers Lansdowne are next up. Opening with the title track from their 2023 album ‘Medicine’ which has the audience singing along from the off. The music from this burly bunch, although solid, feels fairly serene in comparison to the previous band’s set (in actual fact, it’s actually great to have a distinctive difference between all bands on this tour.) Although there is an obvious vocalist (Jon Ricci) some of the singing duties are shared between the two guitarists as well, be they added growls or whole verses, this works well and JR takes over seamlessly whilst strutting his stuff across the stage in his black muscle vest and ripped jeans. The venue is nearing capacity by halfway through the set which features a slower number that calls for more arm swaying and mobile torch participation. There’s an infectious beat to Lansdowne’s music that demands movement. A quick check-in with the crowd has the band shouting out the rest of the acts on the bill before launching into a very bouncy rendition of ‘Drag Me Down’ – a song with a pogo-worthy rhythm and a heavy dose of vocal melody. This band enjoys interacting with their audience between songs and there’s plenty of casual banter about melting face paint and the ever-present (and essential) merch push accompanied by impromptu guitar riffs. The set is rounded off with a highly energetic performance (from both the band and fans) of 2011’s ‘One Shot’ and almighty cheers.
REVIEW: Suzi Bootz
Lansdowne is:
Jon Ricci – Vocals
Shaun Lichenstein – Lead Guitar/ Vocals
Glenn Mungo – Drums
Josh Waterman – Guitar/ Vocals
Mike LaRoche – Bass
Follow Lansdowne:
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3v3O2ei
Apple Music: https://apple.co/3ISe89D
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lansd
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lans
Website: https://www.lansdownemusic.com
Photography: Emma Painter // Pacific Curd Photography
SKYND
With vocals that switch between helium highs and west-end lows, operatically held notes and clipped phrases, Skynd are a band on a mission to hit parts of your psyche that others might miss. There are brief clips of news reports that act as introductions to each song, giving a little background history on the real-life crime cases on which they are based. As expected it’s a solemn start to the set with ‘Elisa Lam’ but the impressive stage outfits are captivating; think Eurovision-worthy-flouncy-sleeves, heels and a bead-adorned platinum ponytail of vocalist Skynd alongside hooded creatures with masked faces either side providing drums and bass. This is full-on Industrial music with a deeply sinister edge. There are a few uncertain faces in the audience but the majority are soaking it up just as much as those white frills are colour-drenched by the bold greens, blues and blood reds of the lighting. The catchy repetitive choruses stick in your head, such as “I love you, now die” in ‘Michelle Carter’ and the “Ra ta ta ta” of ‘Columbine.’ The jerky body movements of Skynd add to the drama, they seem to have a unique ability to ride and reflect the sound waves in the manner of a bionic-possessed doll and this, coupled with their ability to project those vocals right into your brain makes it quite a surreal experience. The onstage energy of the band is high – none of them stays still for more than a second – but the dark, thought-provoking subject matter has most of the crowd watching and listening at first, more than moving and dancing themselves, that’s not to say they haven’t appreciated the performance – there is still ample clapping and cheering – they are just taking a moment to process it all!
REVIEW: Suzi Bootz
Skynd is:
Skynd – Vocals
Father – Multi-Instrumentalist/ Producer
Official SKYND Websites:
https://store.skynd-music.com/
Photography: Emma Painter // Pacific Curd Photography
ICE NINE KILLS
Psycho-suitable Classical music sets the scene as the stage is prepared for Ice Nine Kills, briefly flitting to Katrina and the Waves before swooping into Nick Cave territory as the smoke machines attempt to fill the entire venue. Time is being taken and though the previous band may have finished their set ten minutes early (according to the advertised stage times) Ice Nine Kills are clearly determined to enter stage bang-on nine-thirty when the venue is chock full of people and thick with fog. Lighting flashes in lightning bolts, the voiceover begins and ominous laughter rings out. There are cheers as the band take to the stage, their dinner jackets, bow ties and braces neatly accessorised with blood-streaked masks and rabbit ears. Vocalist Spencer Charnas wields a shovel as they storm through ‘Funeral Derangements’ and there is no let-up in pace as the set continues. As you may expect from a tour showcasing both ‘Silver Scream’ albums, this is quite the stage show and there are a lot of horror props. Axes, cleavers and severed heads, drills and lab coats, chainsaws and leather-faced masks all make an appearance and that isn’t half of it, even Patrick Galante’s drums are kitted out as red & white striped, blood drizzled popcorn cartons. The music is heavy and the bass is a rib-shaker but the lyrics of every song are delivered with a punch that breaks through; this is aided and abetted by the cult following of fans who are singing along with every word.
The cartoon horns sounded throughout ‘IT Is The End’ and the “NaNaNaNaNa Fu*ck You” moment at the end of ‘A Grave Mistake’ provide some darkly comedic moments to counter the slaying, exorcisms and general grisly activities taking place on stage. It’s good to keep the atmosphere light, no?! There’s a tongue-in-cheek nature to ‘Assault And Batteries’ which sees SC conducting the crowd singing with a large knife and a blood-thirsty psychotic eyes-rolled-back-into-head look on his face. The overall appearance of the band is not unlike an American high school prom, gone terribly, terribly wrong. After a fly-buzzing, the crazy yellow-lit performance of ‘Stabbing In The Dark’ INK leave the stage and the chanted demands of “One more song!” begin to echo from the crowd, who, after standing for a four-band gig, are quite literally aching to hear more. The band return for TWO more songs wearing half-masks held on by D-rings and leather straps and by the final song title-track of the most recent album ‘Silver Scream 2: Welcome To Horrorwood’, two skull-faced, menacing, straitjacketed, weaponised Oscar-statues position themselves at either side of the stage. It’s a flawless set rewarded by happy screams. Showing now (hopefully at a stage near you!) – don’t miss it and don’t have nightmares!
REVIEW: Suzi Bootz
SETLIST:
- Funeral Derangements
- Wurst Vacation
- Hip To Be Scared
- Ex-Mѳrtis
- IT Is The End
- The American Nightmare
- The Shower Scene
- Assault And Batteries
- A Grave Mistake
- SAVAGES
- Farewell II Flesh
- Stabbing In The Dark
Encore:
- Opening Night
- Welcome To Horrorwood
Band members:
Spencer Charnas – Vocals
Dan Sugarman – Guitar
Ricky Armellino – Guitar
Joe Occhiuti – Bass
Patrick Galante – Drums
Social Media Links:
Website || Facebook || Instagram || Twitter || TikTok
Photography: Emma Painter // Pacific Curd Photography
