Murderfest returns for 2016 and the metal fans of Perth came down to support the local acts and be part of a metal scene bursting from the seam with talent. Set on 2 stages at the Amplifier Bar and featuring none other than Melbourne legends King Parrot, it was a fantastic night of heavy music.
Tonight Perth metal heads stretched around the block in anticipation of something very special and unseen here for a very long time. Murderfest 2016 is here, 2 stages and a plethora of home grown talent.
The first band that I caught was Busselton young guns Thrown To The Lions, their sound 1 part deathcore two parts hardcore with a ton of violent unbridled passion. Given that this was their first gig I was impressed with the overall performance and they didn’t seem to have first show jitters that can sometimes besiege a band that is just starting out. One to look out for in 2016.
The next band for me – Dawn Of Leviathan. Now these guys are really interesting to watch blending so many different styles, they are difficult to pigeonhole as they move between technical / progressive leanings ala Between The Buried And Me moments were plentiful. The crowd really seemed to be engaging with the band and vice versa, great set, very enjoyable.
This next band to invade were Tempest Rising, they classify themselves as metal and I can here the masses now going ho hum but these guys move between thrash tinged brilliance and soaring clean vocals and the best part, they looked and sounded like they were having the time of their lives. Taking tracks from the 2014 album “Transmutation”, they whipped the sea of bodies into a sweating seething mess. The energy in the room was palpable and it’s great to see these guys getting some real recognition for their finally honed skills.
Sanzu stepped up to the plate and destroyed the Amplifier Bar. Home grown hero’s with a sound and presence as large as King Kong, these pages are well documented with this bands prowess and sheer brutality that is only now starting to garner the kind of attention that it so richly deserves. Taking tracks from both last years EP “Painless” and the monstrous “Heavy Over The Home”, they left the masses bleeding from the ears and frothing for more. I would say watch out for this band but in truth they are already destined for greatness.
Headliners King Parrot stormed the stage in typical brutal yet fun fashion playing two new tracks from the as yet untitled upcoming album as well as a few crowd favorites “Anthem Of The Advanced Sinner, “Like A Rat” and of course “Shit On The Liver. In my humble opinion they are hands down one of Australia’s finest exports to date with musical chops that most other bands would envy all the while poking absolute fun at themselves and having a blast while doing it. Once you’ve seen this metal circus unfold in front of you, you’ll be hooked if not already well aware of the insanity that will ensue. A great way to top off an amazing evening.
Now it would be terrible form on my behalf if I did not applaud and highly recommend that you check out the other bands on tonight’s bill – Suffer in rot, Tusk and Grotesque
To the promoters and people that helped put this together, thank you! Perth needs more shows like these and if tonight was anything to go by, that the future is looking very bright indeed!
Catch King Parrot on the rest of the tour in Australia:
Friday, April 15: Pelly Bar, Frankston, VIC
Saturday, April 16: Karova Lounge, Ballarat, VIC
Sunday, April 17: Barwon Club, Geelong, VIC
Thursday, April 21: The Basement, Canberra, ACT
Friday, April 22: The Bald Face Stag, Sydney NSW
Saturday, April 23: Waves, Wollongong, NSW
Friday, May 13: The Evelyn Hotel, Melbourne VIC
Tickets through Oztix
PHOTO GALLERY
Photos by Michael Rule – Anthophobic Records
