MetalFest 2009 at The Underworld

MetalFest 2009 at The Underworld

12 August, 2009
by: Abhijeet

There's only one thing metalheads find more satisfying than a good gig – and that's an all day metalfest at a small venue like The Underworld, especially when it's headlined by the next big thing from Reading, Sylosis.

It's brilliantly sunny outside and we're essentially holed up in a dank basement that smells of sweat and brew. The Haunting Of Leica get things underway in typically energetic fashion, their set well executed, if a little uninspired. Tides Of Virtue up the ante on the crowd front, so the near 30 minute break that follows before Through Solace come on is all the more disappointing. Gear trouble, we're told, is the culprit. No matter, that simply means more time to get another pint before heading back to see them perform a 3 song set, received with some enthusiasm and lots of sympathy.

It's only when This Is Colour come on that things really start getting heated up. Whether you like their brand of hardcore-meets-metal or not, you have to admit these guys know how to put on one hell of a live show. The whole band is running around on stage like they're possessed – which is quite a feat on a stage this tiny.

Moving into the home stretch, and the bands that are coming on now have been around the block a few times, and you can certainly tell the difference. Their sets have a spit-shine, the little extra that sets them apart.

The Arusha Accord wow everyone, thanks largely to their ridiculously tall and freakishly talented bass guitarist. For once, the bassist draws as much attention as the vocalist, and most of that is because everyone is waiting to see if he'll get lost in the music, jump two inches, and crack his skull on the roof. Azriel are arguably the best of the rest tonight, the Glaswegians showing everyone the right way to get the crowd pumped and on your side with a salvo of pure, untamed insanity. It Prevails and the The Eyes of A Traitor put on very solid, very polished shows that send the crowd into a frenzy, thus setting things up nicely for our headliners.

Fresh from tearing Sonishphere a new one, Sylosis made the 30 mile trip to London to show the capital just why they're being billed as the next big thing in English metal. The set is by no means short – 7 songs but no encore – and the quintet play it with a ferocity that rarely graces any venue across the country.

Beginning with the atomic 'After Lifeless Years' and moving on to 'Reflections Through Fire' and 'Stained Humanity', a modern day thrasher that will undoubtedly be an anthem for years to come, Sylosis whip the crowd into a frenzy that leaves more than a few folks with bloody noses and bruised backs (and two with broken legs).

Mid-way through their set and half the backstage has gone stagediving, and soon one of the biggest circle pits I have ever had the privilege of seeing at The Underworld opens up. Little surprise then, that by the time the last song 'Teras' begins (a skull crusher at the best of times, and quite literally with all the moshing going on), the crowd rushes the stage for an impromptu sing-along/mosh/headbang session with the band.

Sylosis are going to be the biggest metal band in the UK pretty soon, believe me. If you don't, go and watch them live and I dare you to come to a different conclusion.

Sylois have a new album 'Conclusion of An Age' out on Nuclear Blast Records and will be back in London to play The Garage in December. Keep an eye on Metalfest's Myspace for more details about MetalFest 2010.

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Abhijeet