Perth black metal legends Dying Kings launched their brand new EP “Salted Earth, Ashen Air” on Saturday night at Amplifier Bar Perth in front of a well attended crowd. It was further proof of the quality of the local metal scene and the hunger that punters have for the return of live music post-lockdown. Misty Shadow at Shadow World Photography reports in from the night.
Kalvath opened the night with boundless vigor, witty remarks flung about by the lead Sorcha Savage, engaging the audience and bringing in a respectable crowd for an early commencement. Heavy slappy bass, precision drumming and fine guitar accompanies the front-woman’s strikingly deep growls. The four piece Death Metal outfit hailing from South of the river were perfect to open the night, enticing the crowd in and bringing a sturdy vitality to the beginning of the night. If you haven’t heard this epic female fronted Death Metal band put your expectations aside and be prepared to be blown away.
Thrash legends EnforcE saw the crowd grow larger and rowdier, the energy seeping off stage into the crowd, anticipation growing as the night of local metal went on. These aggressive old school metallers always pull the fans, a local favourite that have dominated the scene for years.
Unusually, the relatively new band, Dying Kings whose EP launch it was, was not headlining but on third. Bathed in red light, backlit by the Amplifier sign, the female fronted five piece Black Metal band stood ready to a desolate room. Alora’s vocals cut in and the crowd lingered in from smoking and socialising in the beer garden. Alora’s banshee wails and cavernous roars reminiscent of the characteristic Black Metal sound, something we don’t see much of in Perth these days. Darek on drums is meticulous, the beautiful guitar and powerful bass all come together with an amazing professionalism and intensity from the new band. Alora, seemingly demon possessed, a haunting stage presence, the petite front-woman emits a raw power than cannot be contained in its vessel – truly a visual experience you must live to understand.
Ending the night on a mighty note, Iniquitous Monolith had the room packed as you’d expect a headliner to. Vocalist stomping on stage and storming Amplifier Bar with ferocious horror infused slame, the climax quickly dulled by the stream of ‘Normies’ invading the mosh pit to queue at the joint doors to the once Capitol, now Magnet House. Astounded by the sounds of pure dirty Slam some covered their ears in horror, others laughed at the different experience and some even joined in moshing and recording the band – it was an interesting end to an incredible night.
It is good to see the Perth Metal scene slowly showing its female talent, more and more female musicians are joining the stage and as much as gender has no role in music – it is about the art after all – it is still inspiring to see the rise of women in a male dominant industry.
PHOTO GALLERY
Photos by Shadow World Photography
Dying Kings
Iniquitous Monolith
Enforce
Kalvath
