So here we are back at the Limelight 1 to catch those Aussie maestros, Thy Art Is Murder, as they have returned to decimate Belfast all over again.
We caught them here at The Limelight on a packed bill, and I mean stacked with five bands playing that night, culminating with Thy Art Is Murder tearing Belfast a new one. I expect nothing less this evening, in tow UK slammers Heriot and Belfast’s own Survivalist, yes THAT Survivalist of Channel 5’s gadget show! No water tonight other than the sweat beating if the lads as they open up proceedings and lay down a powerful statement of intent as to how this evening is going to play out!
These guys have been hard at it, laying waste to every audience they can put themselves in front of and have dropped some tasty tracks along the way, most recently with ‘Radio Bleed Which gets its first spin at the Limelight tonight, now it would be remiss of me not to mention the technical glitch with an old string breaking after the opening track or two, but as all seasoned pros do, they got the fucking head down and got on with it, and that’s just what they did. They set a killer collection of some of their heaviest numbers to date, a slamming collection of songs that will hold up with their peers taking the stage this evening and of course, what an opportunity this is, supporting and opening for two monstrous bands in their hometown, never mind across the three dates playing in Ireland.
It’s a timely reminder we have some serious talent in this city, never mind on this island and the metal scene is well represented when it comes to bands who can step up to the mark and deliver on a night like this, and that’s precisely what Survivalist have done. Delivered from the first song to the last.
Photography: Mark McGrogan
@flashartmark #flashartmark
https://linktr.ee/survivalist.gc
Up next are Swindon quartet Heriot, who released their debut album in Sept 2024. This year was always going to be a huge one for the band, especially after working with the majestic Josh Middleton on the recording. Heriot has made more than just an announcement of their arrival on the scene. They are no strangers, of course, and we’ve caught them at the likes of Bloodstock and were blown away by their energy and musicality. Catching them live tonight up close and personal will be an absolute pleasure, rather than the sprawling stages of a festival, where you can feel a little removed from the action. I personally prefer feeling that air hitting me in the chest in the pit!
And feel it I do —Heriots’ sound is fucking huge! You can get those Josh Middleton vibes from the frantic time changes, gargantuan breakdowns and savage sound overall. They have a vibe all their own and command a stage like seasoned pros. Debbie Gough up front on vocals and guitar is a great touch; she’s magnetic to watch. Pint-sized but monstrous live! They are an unstoppable force; every song is bigger, more complex than the last, and their set grows in stature with every track. Debbie is wielding a bright yellow Jackson soloist that harks back to the 80s, but it’s getting slammed like it’s 1999 + 26! Heriot has the Belfast crowd eating out of the band’s hands as the crowd plays to their every whim. Roaring with approval as each song ends, a robust set that drove home just what a sonic force Heriot are, it’ll be fascinating to see how they progress over the years ahead, no doubt to be one of the UK’s stalwarts.
Photography: Mark McGrogan
@flashartmark #flashartmark
A quick turnaround and here we are again, ready to welcome back the Aussie Deathcore maestros, as soon as they announce it’s time to party with their intro song by none other than The Vengaboys! Shizzle gets real, and fast, Thy Art is a blistering attack on the senses, all the guys in the band are grounded to their spots, slamming those guitars, bass and sweet baby jesus the drum work! Mesmerising! The only exception is frontman Tyler Miller, who is like a man possessed, covering every inch of the stage as he tosses out lyrics like bullets.
The band are so tight, a fascinating watch as they rip their way across a stellar set, opening with ‘Blood Throne’ and taking us through a back catalogue that pummels the Belfast crowd like they asked for a beating. The musicianship and technical brilliance were there for all to see, a finely tuned machine unleashed on The Limelight like a tour de force, the drums and the double bass hitting you square in the chest, the attack of the guitars against the backline working together like a savage machine, the concentration on their faces as they rip Belfast a new one. It is a thing of beauty all in itself. This is the perfect way to wrap up a working week. It’s a Thursday night, and tomorrow, well, we’ll worry about that in the morning; for now, we are here to party and party hard.
Three great bands, from our local heroes Survivalist, to the future of British modern metal in Heriot, to the Aussie kings of Thy Art is Murder, what a night, I’m going to be sore in the morning, but that’s what they invented painkillers for, right? Till next time.
https://www.thyartismurder.net
Photography: Mark McGrogan
@flashartmark #flashartmark
