11 Nov 2024
UsernamePassword

Remember Me? | Join | Recover
Click here to sign in via social networking
  • Articles »
  • Reviews »
  • The Rising Tide - Gig Review: Inferno - Youth Rock & Metal @ The Stomach, Palmerston North - 5/08/2023

The Rising Tide - Gig Review: Inferno - Youth Rock & Metal @ The Stomach, Palmerston North - 5/08/2023

07 Aug 2023 // A review by River Tucker

It’s not often that you get treated to a mid-winter concert where nearly every metal genre is being performed. But that’s exactly what happened at The Stomach in Palmerston North last Saturday night where four bands gave it their all in a rip-roaring all-ages show that will undoubtedly leave the hundred or so people who attended with lasting impressions.

First up was three-piece student band Ruul 34, whose friendly banter and relaxed attitude put the audience at ease. Their intro was pretty laid-back as well and it wasn't until the more punk-oriented second song Overwhelming that a marked degree of severity worked its way into their set.

Incorporating elements of thrash, death and 90's metal, Ruul 34 were a great opening act that had numerous musical components throughout their set to keep the audience fully engaged. A tongue-in-cheek rendition of the SpongeBob SquarePants theme song and calling out the government about youth mental health in the aptly named They Don't Care elicited a raucous crowd response.

There’s an early Nirvana-esque edge to this band's sound, particularly in the way the vocals are delivered. Full of youthful exuberance, guitarist Jamie and bass player Ash shared vocal duties, but it wasn't until their powers were combined during the last song, I'm A Disease, that their singing styles became truly compelling.

Next up on stage was the five-piece deathcore band Lucid, who didn't let a false start at the beginning of their set dampen what was a spirited and awe-inspiring show. A combination of gloriously drop tuned guitars and precise blast beats soon had the audience headbanging, but a few technical issues detracted slightly from their overall performance. Singer Ben Burton was right about Bella Riddle's guitar not being loud enough, which caused the mid-range to drop out during Corban James' guitar solos.

The technicalities aside, Lucid is one of the heaviest bands around, which is pretty amazing considering they’re just starting out on their journey to musical greatness. Song titles such as Teeth On The Pavement, Suffocate, Bleak and Anger give you an idea of their creative direction, which reminded me slightly of Australian deathcore band Thy Art Is Murder. With an open chord low end that even Black Tongue would be proud of, Lucid made sure they weren’t just heard but also felt with a PA that was thankfully up to the task. If you’re into metal music, Lucid are definitely a band to watch out for.

Third on the bill was another three-piece student band called Epidemic, who were unfortunately missing a bass player. The lack of a defined bottom end didn’t contrast well with Lucid’s bass heavy sound, but it wasn’t long before the crowd was enjoying Epidemic’s old-school metal approach.

Mainly incorporating styles similar to Metallica and Slayer, Epidemic built in strength further into their set, but like the opening acts were somewhat rushing in their performance. At times singing outside of his comfort zone, lead guitarist and vocalist Edward was most captivating while channeling Dave Mustaine, a vocal style he should definitely continue to emulate.

Epidemic’s set flowed nicely and after encouraging the audience into a pre-emptive circle mosh for Children of War, the two guitarist’s tuned down just before their standout song, Hell Freezes Over. Epidemic closed their set with the high-energy New World Order, which left the audience amped and imminently ready for the headline act.

The Rising Tide soon brought back the boom and despite an extended hiatus and reformation in 2021, with a number of line-up changes along the way, have lost none of their musical acuity. Being down one guitarist for the Inferno show didn’t seem to matter much in the smaller venue as event organizer and lead guitarist Cody Lee luckily had a few extra strings to fill out the sound.

Retaining many of their previous stage theatrics that work so well to create crowd participation, The Rising Tide are evidently back with a vengeance. They’ve recently been touring the North Island to promote their favourably reviewed EP, The Hope We Die For, of which the title track was perfectly performed on the night.

Not your average metal band, The Rising Tide have mastered elements of deathcore and sludge, as well as the often-misunderstood djent genre, combining them with metalcore breakdowns and a good amount of notoriously difficult progressive metal polyrhythms. It was understandable that a few of the more complex blast beats during Into the Abyss strayed ever so slightly from the path, given that Ryan Burton had already stood in for Lucid's drummer earlier in the night.

Although their sound is more suited to large arenas, The Rising Tide’s live show at The Stomach included many of the mixing techniques and samples from their studio recordings, which along with Matthew Colledge's vocal precision, created a very polished performance.

Make sure you catch The Rising Tide at a good music venue near you.


Photo Credit: Amanda Hodge / It's The Little Things Amanda Hodge Photography

Ruul 34 Photo Gallery
Lucid Photo Gallery
Epidemic Photo Gallery

The Rising Tide Photo Gallery

 

Releases

The Hope We Die For
Year: 2023
Type: EP

Other Reviews By River Tucker

Lucid Shift - EP Review: Aonaran
18 Oct 2024 // by River Tucker
You would be hard pressed to not get excited about Lucid Shift’s debut EP, Aonaran. But be warned, this release isn’t for the fainthearted.
Read More...
Amanaki - EP Review: Embers
22 Jul 2024 // by River Tucker
Amanaki might not be a household name yet, but along with their indie label, North Supply Co., they’re definitely on track to grab your attention.
Read More...
Silcrow - EP Review: Silcrow
14 Jun 2024 // by River Tucker
Aiming for the stars, Silcrow’s seven-track EP merges American-style rock with a touch of Seattle grunge in a well-produced release that will appeal to many generations of music lovers, but mainly to those whose musical awakening happened sometime in the 90’s.As well as changing their name from Close To The Bone to the much more kick-arse Silcrow, these four young guys from Auckland have been working hard on the live circuit (bar a short hiatus during lockdown) to get their songs fully dialled in and ready for the studio.
Read More...
Parasitic Infestation - EP Review: Promo EP
21 Apr 2024 // by River Tucker
If you’re looking for some great metal music, you’ve come to the right place. Hardworking up-and-coming band Parasitic Infestation, who specialise in Brutal Death Metal, are set to make your ears bleed with their latest promo release, consisting of three deliciously heavy songs (plus bonus tracks) that I’m sure you’ll enjoy.
Read More...
Album Review: The Death Spell
12 Dec 2023 // by River Tucker
There’s a real whisky drinking, bare knuckle fighting edge to the self-titled debut album by The Death Spell, kicking off with Nail You Higher Than Before. Obviously, song lyrics are in your face on this track, especially for any Christians in the audience, but you couldn’t ask for a better intro to the musical style of this Auckland-based band.
Read More...
Beastwars - Gig Review: Reign of the Beast @ Whanganui Musicians Club, Whanganui - 13/10/2023
15 Oct 2023 // by River Tucker
If you're into metal music, the Musicians Club in Whanganui was the place to be last Friday night for a feast of auditory delights to satisfy even the hungriest of souls. Brought to you by Lost Art and Panhead beer, Beastwars and Shepherds Reign headlined an epic concert that was set to bring the house down on the first leg of their not-to-be-missed Reign of the Beast tour.
Read More...
End of an Empire - Album Review: Best Laid Plans
25 Sep 2023 // by River Tucker
It’s been a couple of years since End of an Empire released their favourably reviewed debut album, Within, Without in 2020. Since then, the Wellington-based four-piece have obviously put their time to good use by writing Best Laid Plans, which is arguably one of the finest Hardcore releases to come out of New Zealand this year.
Read More...
Mammuthus - Album Review: Imperator
18 Jun 2023 // by River Tucker
If you like your stoner metal super-sized and embellished with a nice touch of doom, then Mammuthus’ latest release, Imperator, is definitely the album for you. Seven tracks of deliciously down-tuned, guitar-driven heaviness smash into your eardrums like a well-oiled and relentless steam train.
Read More...
View All Articles By River Tucker

NZ Top 10 Singles

  • APT.
    ROSÉ And Bruno Mars
  • DIE WITH A SMILE
    Lady Gaga And Bruno Mars
  • BIRDS OF A FEATHER
    Billie Eilish
  • TASTE
    Sabrina Carpenter
  • I LOVE YOU, I'M SORRY
    Gracie Abrams
  • ESPRESSO
    Sabrina Carpenter
  • SAILOR SONG
    Gigi Perez
  • LOSE CONTROL
    Teddy Swims
  • A BAR SONG (TIPSY)
    Shaboozey
  • GOOD LUCK, BABE!
    Chappell Roan
View the Full NZ Top 40...
muzic.net.nz Logo
100% New Zealand Music
All content on this website is copyright to muzic.net.nz and other respective rights holders. Redistribution of any material presented here without permission is prohibited.
Report a ProblemReport A Problem