MORTAL SIN + INSLAIN + BEYOND TERROR
TBar Broadway, Sydney, Saturday 17th December 2005
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After attending the exclusive rehearsal gig a few weeks back, I was again up to the challenge to see Mortals in action, this time at the Bar Broadway, but also quite keen to check out the old school thrashers Inslain for the very first time, having heard nothing but praise for the band. They were filling in the main support slot which was encouraging to see. I arrived just as the third act Beyond Terror was finishing off, catching a few of their numbers including a Fuck...I`m Dead cover which was well received by the masses. These relatively unknown lads played to an unfortunately near empty venue as most metalheads were still downstairs in the bar lounge indulging themselves with alcohol and good company, all fired up and ready for the black Christmassacre celebrations with the main bands that were to follow later in the evening. I can only imagine how the first act went on earlier, playing to an empty venue, I`d imagine? Having said that however, this had nothing to do with how this band performed on stage, rather a result of a bad turnout overall (number of other gigs on the same night and also holidays rush) thus other bands witnessed the similar fate. Believe me, all these bands on the bill provided the fans with hell of a lot of heavy metal for the brain.
From what I did manage to see of BEYOND TERROR however was an absolutely energetic set, killer stage presence, espetialy by the vocalist who was all over the stage and to be fair put on an overall damn decent performance. Playing a style of hardcore entwined with grind elements and even covered a song by our very own Fuck... I`m Dead as mentioned to get the crowds going. I am sure they didn`t mind playing to a smaller crowd and in the end gave it their best. After all, how many bands can say they supported Mortal Sin?
I was nearing the end of my drink and very shortly during the break decided to stretch me old legs to the bar and fill up the tank with some Carlton draught fuel. During that time, understandably more and more people wearing your traditional tight black jeans, bullet belts and killer vest`s and jackets, a la thrash metal look, poured at every passing moment. Instantly I knew I was in for a killer night. It looked to me that Inslain crew recorded this gig for a DVD release? In which case everyone will be all over it as the cameraman has taken upon himself to capture every inch of the venue, even getting crowds involved in screaming into the camera and the like, and I suppose that`s what thrash is all about, not giving shit about anything and just letting yourself go, having fucking fun! The live DJ, situated in his overhead box overlooking us all played us some excellent old school metal including Iron Maiden, Anthrax and Slayer and kept us fresh all night.
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Fifteen or so minutes later the INSLAIN army unrolled the curtain and the band got into it very promptly. Somehow even before they hit a note we knew what we were in for (a brutal thrash set), the atmosphere was established. We felt the vibes of greatness and revel in what was to come as the climax approached. It resulted in everyone that was in the upper level moving toward the stage, including myself and I was very glad to be among the front bunch. Impressive and furious intros in every song had me hooked and exited to be there straight up! Astonishingly, for me this band just appeared out of the blue (thank you Drum Media) hence most of the band members had no previous major experience on the scene (apart from the drummer Sloth who was previously in Sadistik Exekution) and yet still managed to impress us all on the night. Their very, very, BRUTALY fast thrash riffs are the most distinct aspect of the band together with killer vocals by our very own Adam Ivsan, who I`ve had pleasure interviewing for HailMetal.Com, who is also a guitarist mind you. The band also can play a few catchy riffs to compliment the solos and overall aggression of the sound and get us all into feeling and headbanging to the music. The band played without a break, reminiscent of a Megadeth gig of which I approve as it doesn`t give us a chance to rest hence keep us along the ride for most part. Their bass player, an odd looking character was a definite highlight for me, very animated on stage, headbanging like a madman with his trademark Anthrax t-shirt on it would seem.
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A very lengthy set in terms of number of songs played and an overall feeling of job well fucking done! The crowds acknowledged their set which finished about an hour later and in my opinion these guys are definitely here to stay and make their mark and I will look to see more of them. In the mean time I will look to score a copy of their latest full length release, after having heard the demo on their website which I liked very much.
Inslain setlist:
The Gate
The Collector
Fall as One
People Under
Earth`s Genocide
Taunted Thoughts
Limits of Reaslity
By Violence Torn
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By this stage the venue had started filling up much more rapid and more crowds going right toward the stage in anticipation of big things that were to come. Some of us east of main stage thought we`d start chanting MORTAL SIN to get everyone pumped up and got the legions of fans helping out quite successfully. Before we knew it was curtains off again as they opened the doorway to Mortal Sin who unleashed the metal attack. The band looked like their old self as their set consisted of a number of classics, that are well received by the crowds especially the two - three song openers, and seem to do the trick every time. The band played classics from a wide range of albums including the new stuff such as Out Of the Darkness (the single coming out start of 2006) as well as the much anticipated Tears of Redemption, a new song which will be released on the bands 4th full length release, `Far From Extinction`. The song was very well received by the band, clocking at over 10 minutes of pure mayhemic destruction, a quite heavy on guitar solos and riffage as it was the original reminding us of Heathen somewhat. I simply can`t wait to hear a proper mastered studio version.
Overall there has been a definite improvement in the Mortal Sin`s contemporary sound, thanks to the two new additions to the band, the very impressive Nathan Shae on guitars and the untouchable Luke Cook on drums and they are once again firmly bound for the thrashy range of the metal music spectrum certainly judging by the new stuff and the very anticipated Lebanon pt2. Luke who is a never tiring hard working machine, and with his black metal background adds that old-school feel to the band. Nathan was quite impressive with his guitar, shredding with speed and accuracy nicely complementing the lead guitarist, and wise versa, Mick Sultana (formerly in Addictive) who sure knows how to play with speed and aggression. Attributing to the brilliant performance as always is of course Andy who has the most stage presence, and plays his bass with absolute passion. For a short man his stage actions are very large and animated and he definitely adds the fun element to the bands onstage theatrics. Wearing a Voyage t-shirt this time (I want one), Mat`s vocals were delivered with as much energy and conviction as we have come to expect from Mortal Sin. Involving the crowds to sing along and even holding the mic for the lucky few in the crowds who`ve been given a chance to show of their vocal skills on parts like `MAY-HEMIC DE-STRUCTION!`, Mat definitely looked to have had heaps of fun this time around (as you`d expect and all that can be seen from the photos).
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There was also a one brave fucker who kept jumping off the stage into the crowds but to his disappointment landed straight on his face due to the fact that the gig wasn`t entirely sold out. Mortals played a two song encore after coming back on stage, the classics I am Immortal and the one and only Mayhemic Destruction. During the course of the night, Mat did mention some killer news regarding email negotiations with the Death Angel front man and himself about a possibility of bring them to Australia sometime in the next year. As I recall Death Angel promised us long ago that they would be touring Australia but that never eventuated, we shall wait and see so hopefully Mat can pull out some rabbits out of the hat for us. In the end the band shook our hands as they were leaving the stage and we look once again to the future as the band are planning some very early shows in the year. The only downfall on the night was the damage of an expensive camera which tumbled down as the band was leaving before an encore, hopefully the film was saved and it wont cost too much replacing it. Salutes to the kings!
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Mortal Sin setlist:
The Curse
Women in Leather
Voyage of the Disturbed
Broken Promises
Lost Within
Out Of The Darkness
Into The Fire
Rise Or Fall
Terminal Reward
Deadman Walking
Lebanon
Tears Of Redemption (Lebanon pt2)
Say Your Prayers
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I Am Immortal
Mayhemic Destruction.To view all the photos taken at this gig head to this location. A few short video clips will follow.
