Caliban
Live at Bassment on Friday, 22nd March 2002
At risk of being derided on the Fracture forum for the rest of eternity, I'm going to try and describe what I saw and heard at the Bassment one night last week.
When I walked in it seemed that a group of young men were braying their guitars to death. That would be D-Rail then - fast, loud and shy of tunes. I don't know much about this metal hardcore genre, but these boys can play, for sure.
With everything already running late and four bands to go, it was swiftly on to Fig 4.0, who delivered their tuneful hardcore punch withoutanygaps, as if they weren't already hard hitting enough! They were having the time of their lives at this gig and it shows. With their beaut tunes and screaming a-plenty, if you still haven't seen this band - well, shame on you.
Next up it's Stand from sunny Grimsby, with their crew down the front all wearing red shirts ready to start the pit - the Red Stand Gang. I reckon Leeds will be seeing more of this group. They too are metallic hardcore with enough harmony guitars to make Skid Row jealous and a good nature that makes you want to ruffle their hair and buy them a Sunny-D. Fair enough, some of their songs have bits robbed from System Of A Down in them, but if you reckon that's a bad thing then you deserve to rot in nu-metal hell with Slipknot.
In true being rubbish fashion, I can't remember the name of the next band, but a man astutely described them as 'crap emo metal', and what do you know, they were. So we won't dwell on them.
Caliban, on the other hand - woo! Hold my emo rucksack, barman, I'm goin' down the front to throw devil signs. High pitched scream-singing, dual guitar assault, songs about death and a crowd surfing frontman? We're having that! There's no suggestion of hardcore here, just full on metal and you won't hear any complaints about that from this crowd. Their energy, sincerity and Slayer-style riffs make them a joy to behold. Come the fuck on, Caliban, and come back soon.