Live Review: Behemoth, Hour Of Penance, Exekute

Channelling the likes of Cannibal Corpse, Suffocation and Dying Fetus, Exekute's largely by-the-numbers, but joyously delivered brutality garnered a respectable response from a gathering attuned to their pulverising guitars and guttural vocals. Aside from inciting the evening's inaugural circle pit, the Sydneysiders baited punters into further pit violence and nodding of approval throughout closer Genetic Monstrosity.

“Are you ready for some fucking death metal?” is up there with claiming the Dexter finale was just slightly rubbish on the glaringly obvious understatement scale, given it was growled at a well populated room of like-minded individuals. Hour Of Penance swiftly redeemed themselves for such overly clichéd banter via an efficiently crushing display. The Italian crew's first trek to our shores was well received, despite a muddy mix affording them few favours. Airing a new track boasting riffs tougher than a $2 steak didn't halt their momentum, wedged in amidst favourites such as Slavery In A Deaf Decay and Incontrovertible Doctrines. A return visit would appear likely.

Judging by the boisterous chants accompanying their entrance, not to mention in between many songs – easily among the loudest this reviewer has detected for a band of their ilk – it had been far too long between drinks for the headliners. Of course, plenty has transpired within the Behemoth camp during the past few years; namely frontman Adam “Nergal” Darski's battles with serious illness and legal strife. Taking this and the rabid reaction into account, the hooded, charismatic leader's roar of “it feels good to be alive” surely didn't truly encapsulate the magnitude of the experience for the corpse-painted one.

Contrasting the ferocious Blow Your Trumpet, Gabriel, set for inclusion on much-anticipated, forthcoming full-length The Satanist with Moonspell Rites from their 1994 debut EP underlined the Poles' segue from straight-up black metal fare to a blackened death juggernaut. This progression hasn't softened the sheer intensity of their execution, either. Impressive windmill head-banging, as well as water and blood-spitting antics added to the mask-wearing theatrics. Although rooted in taut musicianship, special mention goes to ex-Decapitated drummer Krimh for more than ably substituting for long-time sticksman Inferno. This was apparent from the outset of blistering opening one-two punch Ov Fire And The Void and Demigod, through to Slaves Shall Serve and Lucifer inevitably capping off a stellar performance. Was this the extreme metal show of the year? Quite possibly.