Virginians DARKEST HOUR are halfway through their UK tour when they arrive at Cardiff to play the Barfly. The dark, underground venue makes for an intimate experience if the atmosphere is right and that atmosphere depends upon those present. At times, the turnout can be quite poor at this venue but on this Tuesday night there’s a healthy gathering here.
First to take to the stage, despite being billed as second up until now, are Reading’s MALEFICE. You may or may not have heard of them by now, but it won’t be long before you know exactly who they are. Obviously hard-working and dedicated to the cause, they’re no strangers to this part of the world having visited Cardiff alongside DevilDriver late last year. They’ve obviously refined their live show over the course of their steady rise upwards as their own delivery sounds immaculate. The sound works really well in a live environment and although those watching are locked into the typical ’stand back, fold arms’ stances it’s not too long before they warm to the band and come forward a little to soak up the metal. Tracks like ‘Dreams Without Courage’, which people may recognise from the band’s MySpace, have catchy hooks and the sort of riffery you think you may have heard before. But the band offload the infectious melodies and breakdowns with such integrity and conviction that they put their stamp on their sound. If Malefice’s recent success can be extrapolated then you can guarantee that they’ll become a beacon of UK metal for the future!
It is interesting that Yorkshire’s GLAMOUR OF THE KILL are second on tonight as their sound is slightly incongruous with that of the bands they’re sandwiched between. Although with more of an emo vibe about them than anything else, they still have that metal element. The vocal harmonies are quite simply superb and despite not being deemed metal enough in some people’s eyes it is impressive. Tracks like ‘Rise From Your Grave’ become instantly recognisable and unforgettable as the catchy chorus lines are impossible to remove from one’s mind later. With a polished appearance it would have been easy for your average metal head to write this band off as just another bunch of floppy fringed, emo, Guitar Hero idiots. But the truth is that the standard of song writing and vocal talent can allow this band to put some substance behind that image.
Now that DARKEST HOUR are taking to the stage, the majority of spectators, including a kilted, ginger windmilling man, are now participants, as the space between them and the stage is removed. Melodic intro track, ‘Doomsayer’, from the new album, ‘Deliver Us’, plays as the suspense mounts and finally breaks as the track fully kicks in and the full force of their sound fills the room. Over the course of the set, a few old tracks were thrown in for those long-term supporters. The intimacy of the small stage and those gathered around amplified the intensity as vocalist John Henry leans over the crowd to project the words. Accomplished guitarists Kris Norris and Mike Schleibaum’s melodic harmonies sit well between the wall of fast paced metalcore riffage. Cardiff sometimes gets passed by when it comes to gigs like this, so it’s good to see that when bands like this roll into town, those that do attend are more than appreciative.
PHOTOGRAPHY: © Owain Richards
