Metal in Sydney has always thrived out of the spotlight. From the suburban fringes, to the shadows of the city, in venues like Lewisham’s late, lamented ‘Haunted Castle’, or the pub formerly known as the ‘Bald Faced Stag’, now known as the CrowBar. With COVID and subsequent restrictions now putting many of Sydney’s live venues on the chopping block, the venue that is the heart of Sydney’s Rock & Metal scene is struggling to stay afloat. Tonight’s gig is part of the fundraising effort to keep the doors open.
Openers Halcyon Reign ease into their work, their tight, muscular grooves providing a good base for their atmospheric melodies and circuitous time changes. New tune ‘Boogie Man’ worked well, complete with big false finish. The drummer driving the full sound with a pounding backbeat & great backing vocals (and a solo spot). Their Prog Metal to the masses approach was a good opening to proceedings.
Ethereal Realm make a big entrance… all grandiose chords and pomp! Then, they’re into the fast & hard, Dragon summoning Power metal.
The singer (all shades, smiles & one gloved gesticulation) does a great job conducing the show, but props to the guitarists & the hyperactive drummer for bringing a rollicking good time.
One thing I WILL ask though, why is it, that the bass player is always the guy to get cut? Or is this some COVID restriction that I’m unaware of? Are they an endangered species like the Koala? Save the bass player!
Newcastle’s Age of Emergence light the fuse with a slow burning intro & then ignite into a double kick frenzy that almost verges into punk territory. They constantly veer from quiet to loud, the set is like a like a runaway rollercoaster. ‘Wake the beast’ sounds like a heavy metal jig, while ‘your kingdom dies’, built around a descending riff were highlights.
Illawarra veterans, Carbon Black start with a bang. Like most bands who have spent the last 12 months in the rehearsal space, they’re clearly itching to play in front of people again… the show is an assault! The seamless transition between ‘cookie monster’ vocals & soaring melodies, the slayer-esque guitar solos and their onstage energy & charisma was a bit of a revelation. These guys were ‘head & shoulders’ the most ‘together’ band of the night! Despite admitting a bit of a lack of ‘gig fitness’ toward the end of the set, they levelled the crowbar crowd tonight! Beware, when they get some gig time back under their belts.
Lastly, Dark Order emerge, masked like a band of outlaws, the self proclaimed ‘Thrash Metal Terrorists’ flail into their set with gleeful abandon. Their super-tight, fast, violent, Bay area Thrash doesn’t let up from beginning to end.
Drawing some impressive synchronised Cheers / beer sculling from a number of the crowd. Dark Order race through their set like the last guy to finish is buying the round. A bracing end to the night.
Massive props to all of the bands that donated their time & energy for this gig, and the people who showed up! This venue fills a vital position in the live circuit in Sydney so hopefully the efforts to keep the doors open are successful. Considering the bands that its hosted, Sydney’s rock & metal scene would look a LOT different with a CrowBar shaped hole in it.
Vive La CrowBar!
Go to https://crowbarsyd.com if you want to assist.
PHOTO GALLERY
Photos by Adam Sivewright
Dark Order, Carbon Black
Age of Emergence, Ethereal Realm, Halcyon Reign
