Live Review: Nikko, Quiet Steps, O, Pale Earth

Tonight we're treated to the return of local purveyors of dark alt-country Nikko, launching the vinyl edition of already acclaimed release Gold And Red. Also in tow is Quiet Steps, whose frontman has ventured down south, but has ventured back north to launch the group's brand spanking new record, Dying Livers.

While his band The Rational Academy were originally billed to play, due to unforeseen circumstances they were forced to pull out, and fortunately we're reimbursed as Benjamin Thompson takes his position behind the laptop for his solo project, Pale Earth. At first the set feels a tad off for tonight's crowd, but as the textures and walls gradually build up things feel more and more appropriate as the sound gets darker and more complex – an interesting start to the night. 

Next up sludgy black metal group O kick off their set beneath a sea of appropriate red lighting. On stage, the sound is ridiculously full – with the guitar sound seemingly holding a level of ridiculously distorted low end while also sounding coherent in a kind of Sunn O))) White2 fashion. This is only aided by fellow Rational Academy member Thom Roche's drumming, which in a sea of distortion and strained screaming thumps through as the show's highlight. With lots of bands having done this type of music, O succeed and pull off a unique show and are definitely a group to watch. 

Things seem to 'lighten' up a bit as Quiet Steps take to the stage. With tonight being their first local show in quite some time, it's great to see the band as tight as ever, recalling the sounds of '90s indie punk rock and giving it that modern twist. With Dying Livers being the focus tonight, a lot of the material is drawn from said release and works perfectly in combination with the projections behind the group. Twin brothers Robb and Leon Perkin naturally play off each other as if they were attached at the hip, bassist Josh Strange being the spine holding it all together. It's dynamic, it's clean and then dirty, it's done in style and it's a shame when it's over. 

Having smashed out a wild attendance at the original album launch earlier this year, it's good to see Nikko back to do it again with the vinyl in tow. The group's stage presence has this dusty, dark desolate feel to it and Ryan Potter really leads the group and his lower register vocals just snap over the quiet sections. As is the norm, About The Spirit and Smoke Alarms are instant highlights, however, the record's title track, Gold And Red, and a few of the other numbers feel as if they suffer the odd issue in regards to failing to recreate the depth of the record. Still, all in all the set is solid and a good close to the end of an excellent and diverse night.