Live Review: Band Of Skulls, The Laurels

What's wrong with this picture? Sydney psychedelic ensemble The Laurels are playing to a near empty room. Surely this can't be right? With their intricate layering and distinctive shoegaze drone these guys are the perfect pick for the main act. Despite the odd childlike presence and sticker-studded guitars of frontman Luke O'Farrell, the band are like a warm astral explosion. Whatever that is. They're whacky and wonderful. Lined up, (drum kit included) on the front of the stage, we get the best seats in the house and have to assume that the emptiness of the room is down to the early 8pm time slot. Shame on those who selected cigarettes and a bar dinner upstairs over this set.

Band Of Skulls is practically an oxymoron. It's the most beautiful paradox of harmonies and heavy metal one ever did see. Here lies their originality and popularity wethinks. “We are the Band of Skulls,” says guitarist Russel Marsden in a thick British accent. The haunting, bass-heavy songs begin to take life and it would seem the crowd suddenly got the memo. It's now packed in here. What a difference an hour makes. Playing tracks from their new album, Sweet Sour, Band Of Skulls are riding waves they've already made. They have managed to interweave well-paced melodies, pop, rock, heavy metal and the most ethereal harmonies into a cacophony of epic proportions. Just when you think it's heavy enough to hand over to the headbangers (who are on one side doing the devil salute), they handball it back to the folk lovers, producing two-part harmonies between Marsden and bass player Emma Richardson that would place them as frontrunners of folklore. The juxtaposition of the two styles allows this three-piece the richness of diversity, while keeping the songs at an explosive level. It is a style tried by many and succeeded by few.

Lay My Head Down starts up and members of the crowd are closing their eyes and swaying. “Melbourne. Whaddup?” smiles Marsden before teetering on the edge of the stage to belt out a guitar solo. “How you feelin' guys? You okay? How 'bout you over at the bar?” Marsden asks at the song's end. We're feeling pretty special by this point actually. Not only have we witnessed something beautiful, but the entire set has been subtly constructed in a way that builds and builds and leaves us on an all-time high. Bloody good work.