Texas has always produced some brilliant metal bands over the years and much of them have been groove or thrash oriented. Power Trip, who first formed only 10 years ago is one band that has caught a few metal fans off guard by producing some awe inspiring, riff induced metal that combines thrash and hardcore punk. Their first Australian tour has already gone off like a bomb and their stop in Perth, while a little unexpected, turned out to be one of the highlights of the year.
A packed crowd early was a good sign of things to come, admittedly a little surprising given the combination of a typically slow Wednesday night in Perth along with a band who honestly I never thought had a big fanbase in a city known for being selective on who they follow, let alone attend a weekday live show for. But sure enough by the time openers Self Harm rocked up on stage, things were already heading into full swing as the local openers brought a fairly harsh black metal inspired hardcore sound that was pretty unrelentless and punchy. The band are not known for being super active in the local scene but when they do show up, it’s a memorable experience much like their previous show we caught opening for Mortiis a few months back.
Unravel were the following band and gaining some tract among metal fans in Perth in recent times, it’s easy to see why the energy levels they bring musically speaking are on point. Headbangers and moshers were stepping up the game, another observation that clearly showed this was a slightly different crowd than your typical metal show. The band made it easy for fans to get involved as they kicked in some mighty groove neck snappers along with some aggressive speedsters for the thrashers in the crowd.
Hailing all the way from Dallas, Texas, a city known for metal bands being spawned left, right and centre, Power Trip are an enigma just from their music alone. I picked up on this band about almost a year ago through some trusted suggestions and I latched onto them immediately. At times I do hear a little old school Sepultura along with a bit of Prong and Toxic Holocaust which just makes complete sense to me given their punk vibe the band ooze in their attitude, vibe and authoritative stamp of thrash oriented but super groovy music. But make no mistake, this band is metal through and through.
The super bouncy “Executioners Tax (Swing Of The Axe)” led the way early in the set which ironically was the first song I ever heard from these guys, immediately the crowd took to it with stage diving, moshpits and general chaos right from the get-go. The room was full by this point but not enough to make it impossible for the fans to go nuts as the band careened their way through a relatively short but energetic set. “Suffer No Fool” with it’s thrashier tempo crashed through like a freight train, bringing more intensity to the stage and the title track “Nightmare Logic”, released last year was a definite highlight of the evening with a brilliant mix of groove and thrash.
Every track was on point, memorable to the core and vocalist Riley Gale impressed by the apparently more active crowd tonight compared to the east coast so far. But the night was still young at this point, giving opportunity for things to step back a bit – which they never really did. Power Trip continued on with a barrage of seemingly perfect songs – “Firing Squad” was a big hit among the punters, “Manifest Decimation” tore the place apart and show closer “Crossbreaker” ended it all with some last minute devastating blows just to finish the place off.
Riley did mentioned at some point during the show that they hope to come back next year, I hope they do and I’m sure everyone at the show would be keen for that to happen. Add this show to the top gigs lists of the year!
PHOTO GALLERY
Photos by Jessica Vaini at JV Photo Film
POWER TRIP AUSTRALIAN TOUR 2018
Remaining dates
Thur Sept 27 – Enigma Bar, Adelaide
Tickets from moshtix.com.au
Fri Sept 28 – Bendigo Hotel, Melbourne
sold out
Sat Sept 29 – Bendigo Hotel, Melbourne
sold out
