OBITUARY – Brisbane, Australia 16th October 2024
In the heart of Brisbane’s vibrant music scene, The Triffid stands as an iconic sanctuary for global metal excellence. Recent performances have witnessed the mighty Floridian pioneers, Obituary, the acclaimed Australian powerhouse Psycroptic, and the Melbourne maestros, Black Lava, converge beneath The Triffid’s roof, promising an unforgettable symphony of power and mastery.
Black Lava, architects of heavy grooves, unleash an unyielding cascade of melody. Rob Watkins, the enigmatic vocalist, skilfully navigates between ethereal whispers and guttural screams. Drummer Dan Presland, a relentless force, unleashes thunderous beats, creating rhythmic waves. Guitarist Ben Boyle intricately weaves heavy spells with dynamic strumming, captivating the crowd. It’s an enthralling interplay of sound, drawing the audience in and out of a potent ambient realm. Nick Rackham plucks his bass with thunderous precision, adding depth to the melodic onslaught.
Black Lava is a potent elixir of power and groove resonating with primal energy. The weighty atmospheres rise and recede in a syncopated dance. In a display of raw emotion, Watkins rhythmically pounds his chest in sync with the drums, headbanging fervently and letting his long hair sway. The music unfolds like a tidal wave, alternating between moments of heavy power and delicate breaks before delivering punches of abrasive heaviness. The crowd is immersed in a visceral journey, sensing the pulsating energy, and feeling the profound interplay within the volatile melody. Black Lava invites you to step into a captivating narrative where every strum, beat, and scream tells a story that resonates deep within.
Psycroptic storms the stage with explosive power, unleashing their unparalleled sound like a hurricane. Opening with “Cold,” the crowd erupts into a frenetic circle pit, showcasing their fervour for these Tasmanian legends. The infectious energy compels the audience into a raging circle pit, driven by high-intensity melodies. In “We Are The Keepers,” Vocalist Jason Peppiatt unleashes relentless intensity through his screams, mirroring the wild enthusiasm of the swirling circle pit. Joe Haley’s guitar artistry is a display of fast-picking precision, delivering a meticulous showcase of prowess. Bassist Todd Stern, riffing on his bass and windmilling his hair in synchrony, adds to the cadent spectacle.
The stage comes alive with “Rend Asunder” as fill-in drummer Robin Stone unleashes blistering blast beats. The relentless momentum continues with “Observant,” exploding into a fast-paced frenzy that maintains the high bar set throughout their set. Psycroptic concludes their performance with “Enslavement,” leaving the room pulsating with energy from start to finish. Psycroptic’s unrelenting force on stage is heightened by their energetic performance, captivating the crowd with intense and intricate guitar work. The unwavering delivery leaves the audience with an indelible and unforgettable experience.
Obituary unleashes their ferocious set with the thunderous “Redneck Stomp,” the iconic Floridian death master’s effortlessly seizing control of the stage, filling the venue with an irresistible groove that resonates through every corner. Vocalist John Tardy, adorned with his signature long hair, commands the spotlight alongside the virtuosic guitar soloist Ken Andrews. The infectious energy sweeps through the crowd as they embark on a journey through the realms of death metal mastery. As the resonant chords of “Sentence Day” fill the air, Andrews skilfully manipulates the whammy bar and executes fast-picked intricacies, while rhythm guitarist Trevor Peres flashes a smile at the audience, nodding in synchrony. Bassist Terry Butler seamlessly joins the rhythmic motion, headbanging with seasoned precision.
In a sonic onslaught, “The Wrong Time” reverberates through the venue, and drummer Donald Tardy’s relentless assault on the drums commands attention. Rising with intensity, he stands and sits behind his kit, accentuating the raw power of the performance. Meanwhile, Peres and Andrews engage in a dual shred, unleashing catchy grooves that captivate the crowd, prompting a surge of frenetic energy. “Barely Alive” erupts, transforming the venue into a seething cauldron of metal fervour with a circle pit that goes wild. The seasoned musical veterans on stage exhibit a cohesive connection, each note resonating with the weight of their extensive experience. The crowded Triffid resounds with synchronized headbanging and fervent cries for an encore, attesting to the lasting influence of this legendary band.
As the encore ensues with “Dying from Everything,” Andrews takes centre stage, his guitar shredding at a breakneck pace, reinforcing their musical prowess. A fast and intricate drum solo by Tardy during “I’m in Pain” showcases the band’s technical virtuosity. Closing with the fan favourite “Slowly We Rot,” the pace slows to a heavy, deliberate beat. The tempo accelerates for the final time, prompting a deafening roar of approval from the enraptured crowd.
Seasoned metallers Obituary depart The Triffid, leaving behind a pulsating energy that obliterates the stage in a dazzling showcase of metal brilliance. The experience lingers like the reverberations of a guitar solo, etching an unforgettable mark in the hearts of their fans.
Reviewer: Nikki Christina
Photographers: Tam Schilling & Charlyn Cameron
https://www.instagram.com/tamcamimages_/
https://www.instagram.com/chuck_stuff/
