Impericon set the bar high once again, as we have come to expect from this merchandising/entertainment giant. The second of their two tours this year delivered on all fronts and despite being the smaller event compared to the European Impericon Festival. It provided more than its fair share of brutality and carnage, much to the delight of everyone present. With this year’s globe spanning line-up including; Thousand Below, Currents, Polar, Casey, Alazka, Being as an Ocean and Northlane.
Thousand Below
The San Diego based Post Hardcore/Rock quintet opened confidently as lead singer James DeBerg quickly prompted the crowd to come closer. The floor was engulfed throughout the first song with a couple attempts at an early mosh pit sending a full pint of beer spiralling into the skies, as harsh vocals cut through the cleans with forceful determination, whilst warm guitar licks howl from the speakers.
Despite the new found difficulties in moshing, or even walking on the new alcoholic ‘slip ‘n slide’ left from the opening songs. The band, feeding off the audiences reception, wanted to keep the energy up by performing a punchy, melodic and heart-felt set as they made their sound known to all in attendance. The now invigorated crowd responded both vocally and physically as the energy levels rose and continued to get more lively as the band passionately gave a truly captivating performance.
The combination of sombre, emotional pieces with their technical and beautiful melodies all delivered with such power, meant their set resonated with the audience as they undoubtedly picked up some new, and well deserved fans.
After their closing song, the crowd were left hungry and eager for the next band to take the stage. The bar had been set high as anticipation grew for what was next!
Currents
“You’ll never sleep again!”. Echoes the gritty, shouting vocals of Current’s lead vocalist, Brian Wille, as the mix of heavy and fiercely biting guitar tones fill the room. The stage, now seemingly too small to contain the intensity on display as it ripples through the sea of eager fans present. A flurry of hands fly into the air as the once passive crowd, forcefully opens a mosh pit as more people start showing their love for the much heavier and darker tone as it begins to shake the venue. A gripping introduction, that captivated the audience from the very start.
As with their latest album “The Place I Feel Safest”, the Connecticut based group opened with Apnea. An excellent vertical slice of what they had to offer, with a no nonsense breakdown that left no one standing still from the get go. This is undoubtedly Currents at their best yet. As the show progresses it’s clear they’ve won over their new audience, as the pace did not let up with the crowd raising the volume to new levels between songs, showing appreciation for the passion on display.
The band’s efforts were well received by all, with the set-list including a nice balance of tracks from previous records, including a personal favourite, Anxiety, from Life // Lost. The spotlight was definitely on the newer material however as they expertly blended harmonies between technical tapping licks and gut punching blasts of djent inspired riffs through-out. Even the slower moments were filled with active engagement with the crowd, including a heartfelt but fleeting sing-along that was abruptly interrupted with the lashing of symbols from a brutal breakdown that ruptured through speakers.
Currents left the stage, to the sound of unanimous admiration from the crowd and for good reason! They had shifted the pacing and tone considerably, and skilfully with their heavier music preparing the audience for the next, hard hitting band, Polar.
Polar
During sound check, there were clearly some issues with microphone beforehand. They were resolved, though as a result there was a minor delay to the bands set which. This never subtracted from the experience, due quick work by the team at hand. Despite some earlier difficulties, Polar came out firing on all cylinders and then some!
The Surrey five-piece, led by front man Adam Woodford, were keen to begin their post-hardcore bombardment, as he asked for the first circle pit of the night. The crowd responded with a brief but exhilarating burst of intensity, that quickly parted the crowd with Polar encouraging the momentum not to fade. The band gave a wonderfully dark and impassioned performance as they crushed through their set with limitless tenacity. They went on to repeatedly deliver upper-cuts of bleak but consequential lyrical content as well as neck snapping aggressive breakdowns, a true signature of their music that was felt as well as heard.
Polar’s combative sound was a welcome addition to the night’s roster and provided some high octane thrills, with exhilarating pacing and bone breaking aggression as Polar have been doing so well for nearly a decade now.
The Never Say Die tour this year was in support of the Hope For The Day mental health organisation, and Polar bought such relevant lyrical content whilst straddling various different genres, with each band following the last bringing something new to the table. This made the night a truly memorable experience with many, myself included, sad to see them exit the stage after such and explosive set and relentless set.
Casey
The buzz in the room was electrifying by the time the lights went down for Casey’s set, with excited screams from fans piercing the humid air space. As they finalised their sound check, “Casey” chants that had started in one corner of the floor, were being supported by various other vocal groups of fans in the crowd as the band entered the stage.
The Welsh hardcore punk group opened with 2016’s “Love is Not Enough” starting track, Bloom. Casey were here to stamp their mark on tonight’s show, with that much being obvious from the expeditious intro. Painfully emotional, astringent vocals backed by a racing, progressive instrumental pour into the venue as the band make full use of the space on stage, whilst encouraging fans to make their voices heard too. The high levels of energy shown previously in the night continued, with Casey fans being easily recognisable as they clambered towards the front row, wholeheartedly belting the lyrics out back to the band. The atmosphere peaked during their set, when they began to play Fade, a clear crowd favourite with many participating in a raspy sing-along to some of the more poignant lyrics.
The previously mentioned Hope For The Day organisation gained a new spotlight, thanks to Casey’s Tom Weaver. He went on to mention his decade long struggle with mental and physical health, which are both huge aspects of the bands material lyrically. Raucous applause echoed around the room, as Tom mentioned he’s on the other side of those darker days now, creating a very still, emotional and sincere moment that hit hard.
Casey ended their set with the powerful and moving song, “Hell”. This was an excellent send off for the band, as the crowd showed their support vocally and physically. The complete ensemble, Casey embodies deep, emotional and remorseful lyrics with a perfectly refined sound that incorporates a multitude of genres. A perfect contribution to the night and one of the most memorable bands on the tour. Harmonious cheers and applause fill the venue as they close their set, the crowd noticeably moved by their performance.
Alazka
The night’s pacing had not let up as the time setting up between bands, despite their being so many amazing artists on this tour, was minimal. So much so that I felt Casey had barely left the stage long enough to look back down at my phone. 8:22PM, already!? Clearly time flies when you’re having fun, and the night had been nothing short of that already, with no sign of stopping yet.
“ALAZ-KA!” chants bounce from wall to wall as the first couple members of the band take to the stage. A welcome that was clearly well received by the Germany based group as they opened frantically. The amassed crowd that had formed, erupted with most people leaving the floor from the outset as new harmonious melodies engulf the room.
The pop punk elements of the band’s first track, “Hearts of Gold” made it a perfect pace setter. The new lighter tones were a welcome change, whilst still remaining familiar and yet distinct enough by blending the harsh vocal talents of, Tobias Rische with the silky cleans of fellow band member and singer, Kassim Auale. The youthful spirit of the band was contrasted well with the distinct and growling guitar tracks, keeping every moment of Alazka’s dynamic set enticing. The set-list was heavily focused on the band’s latest album “Phoenix”, with all but 2 of the songs featured on it. A noticeable, but welcome decision as their latest jaunt has proven to win over not only old fans but reach brand new crowds too. True still, as the Bristol crowd all leaped, bounced and cheered their way through their 35 minute set with little sign of fatigue.
The band ended with the title track of their previously mentioned 2018 album, “Phoenix”. It was met with united approval and energy building into tremendous applause as “Alazka” chants echoed once again as they left the stage.
Being as an Ocean
Opening their set with a very passionate and enigmatic display that poured over the crowd to a similar response, Being as an Ocean opened with “OK”. A well received opener despite being an abrupt pace changer at first, the late guitar solo invigorated the crowd into frenzied and condensed mosh pits. As the gentle guitar melody of their second song of the night “Dissolve” begins to cry out, it’s clear the Californian’s were confident enough to set their own pace and rightfully so. The wide eyed crowd, making use of all the space available whilst pushing closer and closer to the stage. The band held their focus on the crowd early on, only feeding the excitable groups who were attempting to burst holes in the tightly packed floor space. After ending the first few songs with a tremendous, harmonious sing along, the audience were left in a gleefully euphoric state, eager to show some love for what was coming.
Crowd pleasers like “Black and Blue” and “L’exquisite Douleur” united the fans for some gigantic and powerful sing-along’s with plenty of enthusiasm shown towards actively encouraging crowd participation. The strident, empathetic vocal work of Joel Quartuccio, mixed with the cleaner singing of Michael McGough worked wonderfully. The beauty in anguish was prevalent here, moving all in attendance both physically and emotionally. Delicate and sensitive subject material was blended expertly with crushing, chugging riffs and high velocity percussion, whilst remaining sombre and poetic throughout.
The Bristol audience were lucky enough to witness and partake in singing “Happy Birthday” for Being as an Ocean’s founding guitarist, Tyler Ross as celebrations continued on and off stage. The birthday celebrations were not the only thing leaving the stage, as lead singer Joel entered the eager crowd for the final song of the night, after delivering a powerful speech about becoming more understanding. Joel’s impact was massive, as the crowd moved with his every step and grew more vociferous and restless during the later heavier blasts from “The Hardest Part…”. An incredible closing sentiment, that was earned and felt as the band finished their set for the evening.
Northlane
Opening like a sonic boom from a fighter jet the now multi-national, genre bending group opened with Genesis/scarab from the 2013 album, Singularity. Without hesitation the crowd spun violently into a growing circle pit with the fallout in the middle becoming more and more rowdy. Marcus Bridge, the vocalist for the band, tore through the lows in both songs with rigorous intensity. A new and welcome addition to his already impressive arsenal of vocal talents. Making his live renditions of their older songs, even more personal by highlighting his strengths.
Without remorse the group moved from their aggressive older material, straight to one of their heaviest new songs, “Vultures”. A dominant performance, with intensity oozing throughout. The violent, djent-inspired, racing riffs backed by the tremendous drumming tenacity and explosive fills of Nic Peterson. All of these combined with the hammering bass tones and ferocious vocals didn’t go unnoticed, with wall to wall mosh pits all blending into one large, open wall, leaving only the bravest, or perhaps dumbest(!?) of fans in the middle. As the raw, gut punching tones tore out the speakers, the two opposing walls of the crowd closed on one another leaving no space in the main floor safe for bystanders.
After an exhilarating opening section, Marcus made time to introduce the newest addition to the band, ex Structures front-man, Brendon Padjasek. They shared some light banter on-stage, warming the crowd before displaying not only Brendon’s Bass talents, but also his secondary role as the first backing vocalist for Northlane. Whilst his vocal input was used sparingly, he was an addition that gave depth and weight to a lot of songs and someone who’d I’d love to see utilised more as the band progresses and evolves.
Northlane have such an extensive back catalogue, that sometimes it’s hard to not miss some songs off the final set-list. This however, was not the case. Despite lacking an encore, which could have been used to give the remaining tracks some stage time. The band managed to squeeze in a very broad range of songs from their albums between 2013-2018, including Citizen, Colourwave and Intuition from their surprise 2017 album “Mesmer”. The newest material wasn’t a one song memento though, as they went on to play a brand new song, “Talking Heads”. With a very dark, aggressive and pacey track with incredible vocal hooks and synthesised harmonies and melodies tying the production together superbly. Whilst the song was only debuted on this tour with previous dates being the only way to hear it, the crowd managed to give back as best as they could, especially during the earth shattering breakdown towards the end.
Closing their set, Northlane’s Jon Deiley begins tapping on his guitar frets, their instantly recognisable introduction to “Quantum Flux”. With the excitement in the room building steadily, the anticipation was enough to raise hairs on the back of your neck as the crowd in unison start to clap-along with the band. The famous lyric, “SET ME FREE” echoed by all as the crowd leave their feet for the final song of the night.
Ending on one of their most beloved songs, Northlane left the stage to tremendous ovation and appraise from the thoroughly entertained crowd. The band finished by handing out various bottle, set lists, guitar picks and drum sticks whilst taking a second to say goodbye to the remaining fans.
Final Thoughts
Hands down one of the most emotional, powerful, resonant and destructive nights of my life and one that will be remembered for years to come. I wanted to take the time to thank everyone for reading this far. However, seeing really was believing in this scenario! Further thanks to the people working behind the scenes at this year’s tour too. Seriously, the night was bursting from the sheer amount of heart pounding bands on display. Yet, set-up and closing down of previous acts were hasty and unobtrusive, leaving very little down time between ear thrashings. So, a huge thanks to the team at hand and how they handled the hardware issues before Polar especially.
Lastly, I wanted to give my personal thanks to the team at OriginalRock.net, with a special thanks to Kieran James for letting me write my first ever review! It was a spectacular show and a very rewarding opportunity to try and recapture the night’s events in this review.