Live Review: SLAM Day: Seminal Rats & Fortress Of Narzod

The sound of distorted guitar drifts onto Smith Street from the second floor of the Gasometer, signaling the start of an extensive SLAM Day line-up offered by the venue. It's always a pleasure visiting the upstairs bandroom at the Gaso, and despite the limited facilities and the matinee timeslot, Fortress Of Narzod make it their own. The three-piece shower the punters with thunderous noise, filled with rolling toms and stoner riffs. Jim Lewis kills it on bass and vocals – taking up a power-stance for much of the set and throwing his head back during Andrew Pickering's climatic guitar solos.

Having formed nearly 30 years ago, the members of Seminal Rats look their age. But appearance was never really a big thing for the Rats, and the boys prove that cool doesn't fade. Vocalist Michael Harley dryly announces each song before the band launch into super tight renditions of the standout tracks of their catalogue. Though now playing as a four-piece after the sad loss of original lead guitarist Michael Weber, Ruebin Pinkster and Dave Balsamo maintain the integrity of their recorded output with some excellent guitar and bass work, while Todd McNeair knocks out effortless fills with a constant sneer. It's a celebratory occasion with a room full of friends and long-time admirers. It's a great feeling to know that a band that first entered the Melbourne scene in the '80s can still play an absolutely killer show at one of the city's best venues.