On a cold Tuesday night in January the depths of the SODO neighborhood is certainly not the ideal alternative to my amazingly comfy sectional. Luckily for me the virtually unknown billing of up and coming metal acts that were in town as part of the Metalsucks.net sponsored “Metal as Art” tour graciously and commandingly played their determined asses off, and new discoveries were made.
I walked in just in time to catch Revocation, who just happens to be part of Spin Magazine’s “10 bands to watch in 2010" list. Hype is no ones friend and it certainly does not look good coming from a music magazine that is more famous for championing the latest fad in indie rock than the best that metal has to offer. I mean no serious metal connoisseur would ever take Spin’s word on a metal band seriously, so by no fault of their own the chips were already stacked against Revocation before the first notes were even played.
Good thing for them, Revocation hit full-on assault mode early, shredding through some of the thrash influenced death metal contained on their most recent release “Existence is Futile”. Revocation certainly possesses the chops and metal prowess to move up in metal world. Lead guitarist David Davidson was downright impressive, displaying a barrage of intricate riffs. The shirtless guitar hero even ended the set looking like a young Dave Mustaine, nimbly unleashing a killer solo that demanded many more horns than the meager audience had to spare.
Was Spin correct? On most levels yes, but there are also a million other bands vying for the same thrashy death metal crown. I will say that if you are a person who is excited about the Arch Enemy, Exodus and Arsis show on the 6th at Showbox at the Market. You may want to consider doing a quick Google search because Revocation is right up your alley.
Heard of French powerhouse Hypeno5e? Me either until they melted my fucking face off last Tuesday. Please excuse the heavy metal hyperbole but it was honestly as masterful and uncompromising metal performance as I have seen in some time. Not to mention it has been tattooed on my mind and ringing in my ears since.
Hypno5e are currently touring the states in support of their fine 2007 debut “Des Deux I’Une Est I’Autre”, and began by filling the stage with a thick wall of fog. Making use of dramatic video and lighting as well, the French foursome took it to a whole other level by unleashing an epic assault on the senses that sounded nothing short of the abrasive mechanical spawn of another excellent French export, Gojira. Vocalist Emmanuel Jessua’s wild look and unique banshee howls embellished Hypno5e’s widely experimental sound, but bassist Gredin was the band’s showman, taking any opportunity to raise his instrument to the sky and make the drum riser his home. All together the set was only lulled during the bands eerily crooned, down-tempo, and sample infused interludes. Fortunately the lulls were all but wiped from memory as soon as drummer Thibault Lamy began to rain down impressive blast beats. The rest of the band equally leveled the evening’s playing field with crushing technicality, and a “fuck it all” stage presence that was almost as impressive as the music itself.
By the lean attendance it was obvious Hypno5e, Revocation, and the others on the bill have not blipped on very many metal radars at this point, but for the lucky few in attendance it was quite a mid-week metal lashing. Hat tip to all the bands for giving everything they had despite playing a show that must have felt like a step above weekly practice. Binary Code and 7 Horns 7 Eyes were also on the bill.
The epic finale to Hypno5e's set is captured on the video below, please see for yourself.
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