February 24, 2005
Mantra announced they had a new guitarist seeing as the old one had “fucked off”. They started with a slow and hypnotic intro brought them towards an impressive lead riff, it was a shame about the pause in between. The 5 string bass was subtle but well utilised and intensely varied, along side the loud, distorted and grinding rhythm riffs with added ringing treble slipped occasionally by the lead guitarist. The vocals were a little too quiet and muffled to hear above the music, which was stupifyingly loud and dominated by the complex drumming that was always changing pace. As the set continued, the frontman who looked at a loss during the first few songs without a guitar to hide behind, seemed to get more comfortable, and the vocals became clearer and more powerful in parts. A song that they informed us was called “8 Ball’ played near the end of their slot was, certainly the most lively and boasted MantraÂ’s best vocal performance. Each song was a well-structured example of meaty indie rock, but unfortunately lacked variety in mood.
This was our second encounter of End To Reason, and they didnÂ’t disappoint, showing a bit more bit in their bark than last time.~ The frontman displayed an effective variation in vocal expression, pouring passion into angry, rebellious lyrics, as well as providing the powerful stage presence. The busy and fast-paced drums were the basis of End To ReasonÂ’s angry sound, and accompanied the thrashing chords of the singular guitar in a continuous barrage of noise. The bass was the subtle complex in their music and played the leading role over the guitar in each song, but still working in sync with the guitar, this allowed the bassist to show his technique, or it wouldÂ’ve if he hadnÂ’t spent a lot of the time looking at his amp. If you are looking for uncompromising yet melodic and intelligent hardcore, then you wonÂ’t need to look much further. Take The Hives, shave their heads, and give a few cans of Stella, a line of speed and some issues.
Certainly glad I was sufficiently battered to sway along to Neon Set. With unorthodox vocal patterns, incorporating various switches from the frantic to the hypnotic, but with strong and haunting reverb present throughout. The often simple but frequently intricate guitar, kept a full sound along with the effortless, throbbing bass, without the aid of a second guitarist. It was a natural, jam session style performance, and they werenÂ’t afraid to play around and experiment a little with their sound at the start and end to their songs. It was a moody and psychedelic set, with little crowd interaction, and hardly any movement, but ever-changing and never boring music
The Dead Souls describe themselves as Lo-fi sleaze flowing like thick Washington coffee out of Floyd the barber’s cup.” Not quite sure what that means really. It was however, polished simple chord thrashing grunge, with stomping drumming and a heavily prominent bass used as a backline, which dragged the sound along nicely. Their songs got a bit more adventurous and experimental as the set went on, with longer instrumental sections. The bassist sang one song towards the end; he changed their sound with harsher, much less American more Brit rock style vocals, this added a rock n roll feel to their predominantly grungey sound. Each song was a bit similar, with the same ringing guitar giving way to muddy, distorted riffs, but it was a general up beat sound, with powerful, well-suited vocals and plenty of confidence.
Click here to see more photos from this gig Review ~ Steph Photos ~ Glynn
Written By Steph
Photos ~ Glynn
