“So who are you going
to see tonight?” people asked me out of politeness, not really caring bout the
answer, half expecting it to be somebody they've never
heard of.
I've been sheepishly
responding “Cancer Bats,” expecting a twisted face at best, a
'what the fuck is wrong with you?' at worst.
People normally
don't have much to say after hearing the name. But the name really shouldn't put
people off because the Toronto quartet are gradually repairing a
Canadian musical reputation so badly tainted by Bryan Adams, Celine
Dion, Bieber and Nickelback. They have some work to do.
I had initially
dismissed them as a less interesting Every Time I Die; kind of an
unnecessary soundalike hardcore band. But I wasn't listening
properly and across an impressive career (now on album no. 5) they've
grown on me and now tickle my musical taste buds like maple syrup;
the southern rock licks, the breakneck riffs the infectious grooves
al gel together beautifully. Even the songs I didn't like before are
now favourites of mine, such is the infectious energy and positivity
these guys throw out at will. And that's the key thing: yes they're
aggressive in their delivery but they are never less than positive
and optimistic.
Arriving in time for
appropriately-titled opening band Incite to close their set with some
Pantera/Lamb Of God-like grooves and breakdowns coupled with DM
vocals, I saw that the smaller Academy room was a lot fuller than
that last time Cancer Bats graced it. Personal tragedy may have
curtailed next band Lord Dying but it certainly didn't stop them
delivering a set of Crowbar-like sludge with a dash of Slayer's
slower, more evil moments. Impressive vocals and some seismic
riffing left me impressed enough to buy a CD before they'd even
finished. That members of the other bands had to fill in on guitar
made for a nice collaborative atmosphere, the kind of thing you want
to see at shows like this.
I am a big fan of
Woking quintet Palm Reader, rating Beside The Ones We Love
as one of 2015's top
albums, so I was suitably excited to see them on the bill.
Although the guitar players look like two metal heads had wandered in
to join a much more hip band, they don't disappoint, delivering a set
full of passion and fury, sounding clear and tight throughout their
many breakneck tempo changes. Keep it up, lads.
Cancer
Bats open with 'True Zero' from recent album Searching For
Zero. While the album has grown
on me, I wasn't taken with it at first. Production-wise, parts of it
sound like the mix is off. The same can be said for the sound
tonight, with the opening few tunes sounding a little tinny and thin,
with drums way too high in the mix. It's a shame, and a relief when
it's fixed because they really do sound good; a road-hardened band
who are tight and intense. A band you couldn't imagine phoning it in
even for one night. Singer Liam Cromier is an immediately likeable
frontman, full of energy and charisma. His voice is better than it
used to be, and while he's never going to be the most dynamic singer,
it suits the music. He doesn't do 'clean' vocals per se, but his
scream has enough personality to make him stand out from legions of
similar singers.
Guitarist
Scott Middleton is a riff machine of Dimebag Darrell proportions, and
while Cancer Bats' songs rarely call for guitar solos, his
groove-heavy riffs are rattled out with an easy confidence. It's
appropriate that they do a sideline in Black Sabbath covers (Bat
Sabbath) because the band mixes the grooves and riffs of Birmingham's
finest with the frantic hardcore delivery of Black Flag. That
Middleton's riffs on the likes of 'Pray For Darkness,' 'Sorceress' or
'Pneumonia Hawk' don't get lost in the tempo it testament to their
quality.
The
set gives a fair hearing to all five albums and while they are
understandably promoting their new record, the highlights for me are
from 2012's brilliant Dead Set On Living. 'Road Sick' and
'Bricks and Mortar' are uplifting and anthemic, while 'Drunken
Physics' is as nuts as the title suggests, all tempo shifts and
lyrics about the Large Hadron Collider. Such is the confidence of
this band, though, that they can throw top tunes like the cathartic
'Rats' (the set closer last time round) and the riff driven 'Hail
Destroyer' in mid-set and still have enough killer material left for
the end. They mix the tempo up throughout and the value-for-money
19-song set doesn't get dull at any point.
Cromier's
stage banter is priceless, stating his affection for 80s stadium
botherers Foreigner on several occasions. His enthusiasm is
infectious and never wanes, making what could be an angry and
aggressive show turn out to be actually a lot of fun, and credit to
them for refusing to be po-faced hardcore/metal scenesters. They
play Beastie Boys cover 'Sabotage' before ending with catchy new song
'Satellites' before thanking us and buggering off.
So
next time anyone scoffs at me for going to see a band with such a
ridiculous name, I'll politely explain to them that I probably had a
better night than they did.
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