Live Review: Thy Art Is Murder, Psychroptic, Fit For An Autopsy, Revocation, Disentomb

23 December 2014 | 10:51 am | Brendan Crabb

Thy Art Is Murder slayed their set in Sydney.

More Thy Art Is Murder More Thy Art Is Murder

Flight delays meant a late kick-off and Brisbane’s Disentomb had just 20 minutes to impress.

During a solid outing, Jordan James’ impossibly guttural vocals were akin to gargling glass, while a few punters moshed to Suffocation-esque slams. The crowd swelled for Boston bruisers Revocation’s truncated set of guitar wizardry. Some of their death/thrash’s intricacies were lost amid a sub-par mix, but a furiously fast Dismantle The Dictator and Madness Opus had numerous heads banging.

Pit ninjas were afforded the opportunity to stretch their limbs as Fit For An Autopsy went about their breakdown-laden business. The New Jersey deathcore mob was evidently pleased to be there and exuded admirable energy, but a shortage of distinctive songs rendered their display somewhat tedious, and sound gremlins hindered.

This was a vital tour for Psycroptic, enabling the Tasmanian tech-death maestros to potentially cross-pollinate by playing to fans of sub-genres who would otherwise not likely encounter them. It seemingly reaped dividends, even if the odd ‘core devotee watched with surly expression and folded arms. Tighter than a miser’s wallet, show-stealing intensity and exuberance proved contagious. New track Echoes To Come indicated a continuation of letting songs breathe and groove a fraction more on their next record.

Don't miss a beat with our FREE daily newsletter

Although members are now littered throughout Australia and America, the headliners proudly proclaimed this a hometown performance. A successful return for Thy Art Is Murder too, a positive turnout embracing their pulverizing deathcore. Early cuts like Whore To A Chainsaw were greeted with similar joy as The Purest Strain Of Hate and Doomed From Birth, the pit writhing and surging throughout. Stage-diving elicited a response from outspoken growler CJ McMahon, who referenced that Soundwave incident before bluntly airing thoughts on the festival. The night concluded in a hail of beat-downs, blast-beats and blood, while hopefully eradicating a few scene boundaries.