By: Aaron Pickford
A cold autumn evening in November and with Guy
Fawkes Night a distant memory now and with my 9-5 done for another day, I’ve
been dealt the hottest ticket in the land, NAILS much touted UK shows. Admittedly
only a short drive from Sheffield to Manchester, I often lack the motivation to
venture out after dark, however following reliable Intel that NAILS tore Glasgow
a new one the previous night. That was the only persuasion I need to make the
trip. Destination, the Star and Garter, Manchester, UK
Let the Campaign for Elimination commence.
Kicking off proceedings this evening, were local blackened hardcore miscreants, ESOTERIC YOUTH. Whilst
having not heard these guys, they do not disappoint, front man
Dom Moss
prowling the stage like a demented serial killer, battering the crowd with his
vicious vocal assault. Musically, we are served with staccato guitars, scything
riffs which follow no obvious pattern, backed up by a tight rhythm section.
Whilst I cannot fault the execution and delivery of their set, at times, the
sound suffered in the mix and this in turn affected the overall quality of
their show. ESOTERIC
YOUTH are certainly ones to watch and based on what I observed,
I’ll certainly be hunting down their source material for closer inspection.
Up next is Benelux brawlers, BLIND TO FAITH. Indeed
with an awesome back drop on display, it is clear that these guys are schooled
in misanthropic aural disdain. Following EY, BLIND TO FAITH translates an altogether
different vibe; there is a confidence there and intent to bash in your head
with their d-beat rituals. Armed with their recent release “Under The Heptagram”, BLIND
TO FAITH, play an absolute blinder, dual guitars are thick and
snarling, ranging from frenetic pacing of d-beat hardcore, to slow brooding
doom at times, musically speaking these guys just tear it up. The crowd
initially appeared to be virgins at the graduate ball, afraid of taking their
first step on the dance floor, however with their infusion of crushing Celtic Frost meets Entombed riffs and
menacing hardcore anger, they were soon won over. I was totally sold on this
performance and on the strength of this show alone, their Full Length debut and
“Under The Heptagram” were purchased
by said reviewer, so great work guys, you totally kicked my arse.
Listening to the absent minded circus freaks on
so called talent shows of today, frankly makes fans of the ‘heavy’ wanna puke.
It does me, anyhow. Take note assholes and listen to Todd Jones, “We
have to be here” “We have been waiting to play Manchester a long time” that
is sincerity people and he has the biggest set of brass cojones to back it up.
Enter stage right, I give you NAILS.
Having hit the road in support of their
phenomenal record “Abandon All life”, NAILS unleash
violence upon the masses tonight, the venue is sold out and the on looking
crowd lap it up with a black tooth grin.
Tight, razor sharp and frankly chaotic, NAILS make no excuse
that their music is not for the faint of heart, oh yes there will be blood and
indeed that is what is spilled. From the very first note of their set, the pit
is open and the fists start flying. Frankly the show up at close quarters gets
violent, such is the virulence of the band’s display. Infecting us with their
nucleonic blast beats, lacerating guitar and pissed off vocals, the NAILS experience
is bitterly hostile, with just the right dose of harshness added for good
measure.
I was not there in the heady heyday of the US
hardcore scene and yet for some reason NAILS performance
reminds me of that, Todd Jones looking like a demented Henry Rollins,
projecting a sense of menace and yet he is genuine and sincere during his
interaction with the crowd. Their performance was toxic, obnoxious and just
fucking nuts, and we the crowd loved it. A vulgar display of power indeed. To
coin of phrase from our man, Fitton, Nails are and were the second coming of
awesome, a molten lava of hate and we loved every minute of it.
