Revline – Rawkus seconded by bridesmaid
I packed my flannelette skivvy and leather earplugs for this, the return gig by the ex-‘loudest pub band in the world’, Rawkus. With a new lead singer, bass player and a rumoured ‘more melodic sound’, the crowd were primed for what was to eventually become pretty unspectacular.
I choose to cut to the chase and sadly it does not involve the headline act. The second-last band, Nebula, stole the show with their diversity and realistic stage presence.
For a metal outfit which plays fast and uses two death vocalists, the clarity and memorable riffs of this bunch of dredlocked guys were really, really impressive.
Both lead members could sing and change up into their each-distinctive death growls at any turn of beat, with the choice song of the evening a combination of all their outstanding elements in a short whirlwind that they had not even named yet.
Finishing with Someday Soon, which we all may see on CD in a couple of months, I penned the name Nebula on the back of an Angus McDeth flyer with glee.
Back at the beginning, Hateman Tribe suffered from the affliction that all new metal bands have: head down thrash with scant regard for the other members. I am willing to wear that sound just because of their inexperience, and similarly, headlining act Rawkus could be forgiven for the same reason in their new, untried combination.
Admittedly with a bunch of mostly new songs, Rawkus were formulaic and fundamentally flat. The days of throwing in a guitar/double kick drum solo every fourth verse is well and truely dead, while new vocalist Duane Earl needs to develop that ‘I am a scary person’ thing a tad more without having to resort to firecrackers.
I was bored so I ate my leather earplugs.
Adam Connors
