Live Review: Molotov Solution, As Paradise Falls, Iconoclast, Briarcliff

Molotov Solution pulled together a fantastic line-up of expressly heavy artists, ensuring undoubtedly that a constant wall of sound thick with pure rage and anger emanated from the stage for the duration of the night. It was a powerful onslaught of breakdowns, blast beats and ridiculously heavy riffs that you could feel vibrate through the floor and every follicle on your skin. Though suffering from a poor midweek turn out, with some complete jerk-offs being evicted from the venue for their callous behaviour, the night itself was a success because of the talent on display.

Briarcliff opened up with an impressive display of brutal deathcore. As the local support band they had plenty of expectations to live up to and some true heavyweights to pave the way for. They were able to deliver an impressive set list of their signature ethereal sound of low and droning guitar sounds. With just the right touch of groove Briarcliff are begging to play bigger and better stages. Their drummer Kieren Schroeter was born with a rare condition where he doesn’t have any hands or feet. This doesn’t stop him from being one of the most phenomenal men behind the kit. He’ll definitely be recognised as an inspiration to musicians with physical impairments.

Perth’s Iconoclast were actually a close contender for the highlight of the evening. Featuring a much more guttural, relentless and grimy sound they also incorporate an unparalleled level of technicality and onstage execution. The combined force of six-string bass lines and double-bass drumming amplified the sheer power represented in their music in a delightful fusion – definitely a band to keep an eye on. Brisbane’s As Paradise Falls suffered from a corny image, wearing matching outfits on stage, but their music made up for this blunder with one of the most endurance-based vocal performances of the entire night. This was matched by an effortless ability to shred guitars and compose creative drum beats.

Molotov Solution had the audience’s complete attention from the opening note until the final moments of their encore. Each and every one of their songs feels like an attack on the senses. They are overwhelmingly heavy, but righteously so, and the sheer amount of energy packed into their performance was difficult to believe as you could feel the room bursting quite literally at the seams. The Molotov Solution are indisputably brutal and it would be great to see them play on their own turf in front of a larger, more engaged crowd. It’s creativity combined with technical mastery and high energy at its finest.