Eborsisk
Live at Joseph's Well on Tuesday, 15th October 2002
Before I say anything, allow me to make perfectly clear that I am not a death metal fan. With that said, I must say that the Monday night show at Joseph's Well was entertaining, educational, and yes, even enjoyable. I was able to see three out of the four bands (apologies to the boys in Fobia) before making my way back home for the night.
The first band, Limited Addiction is a self-classified 'crap-punk' band, according to drummer Anna Stewart. Their show was partially entertaining. Stewart did a good job on the drums, and vocalist Aimee (whose surname is still a mystery to me) was animated and put on a good show. Guitarist Ellie and bass player Ruth, however, seemed disinterested. I imagine this had something to do with the fact that this was the "first time we've ever played on a stage" according to Aimee. They did have a good sense of dynamics, even if they weren't superbly executed, and played a Halloween-esque version of a classical piece that I can't seem to put a name to, but apparently it's the theme to Alton Towers (?). Whatever it was, the idea was original and therefore gets my thumbs up. As far as an audience reaction, I was impressed that the girls managed to inspire numerous forms of moshing, as well as some very realistic monkey impersonations, groove-skanking, piggyback rides, and even an attempt at the oh-so-daring double piggyback which nearly spelled the unfortunate ends of the more acrobatically ambitious fans (I give it a 10 for effort, 5 for execution).
The second band, Re:th, really impressed me. I was reminded of The Deftones, but possibly because lead vocalist Patrick Walton dresses like an Around the Fur-era Chino Moreno. Walton was an accomplished screamer and his band definitely got my head nodding, although not to the extent of the people in front who were clearly enjoying the show by pushing, shoving, and causing the kind of contained mayhem expected at shows of this nature. The band had excellent energy and were clearly very passionate about whatever it was they were screaming.
As for the third band, Eborsisk, I would like to call them nice, friendly gentlemen, but I'm afraid that would insult them and compromise their hardcore integrity, so instead I shall call them "Some heavy dudes". This 5 piece from Morley is a very intense musical act, and quite an interesting group of people otherwise. When asked about their influences, I heard a number of names that I would have expected: Tool, Metallica, Slayer, a band called 'Pig Destroyer', etc. Keyboardist "Johnny Massacre", however, showed that he liked a little pop mixed in with his thrash metal when he added " S Club" and then fixed me with a look that could have been either the punchline to a well executed joke, or a threat to bite me on the shoulder if I laughed. I kept quiet. Their set was crushing and energetic, with plenty of head banging, low register screaming, and shirtless stage stomping. They're also appeared to be some extremely fast guitar wheedling courtesy of lead guitarist Jamie (who played the entire gig from the floor), but unfortunately I couldn't hear a lick of it. Though I think I did hear Jonny Massacre plunk out the melody from 'Never Had a Dream Come True' during their song "Death is But a Chore". Quite a tender moment really.
On the whole, I'll give this night a 'thumbs up' for overall substance. After all, it's not every night that you learn what a 'munt victim' is. Trust me, you don't want to know.