Chris Earl
Kentucky metalcore crew Greyhaven are currently on their first ever UK tour as the openers of this package, and they take to the stage with a confidence that would make you think they’re regulars to these shores. Vocalist Brent Mills and bassist Johnny Muench are the stars of the show, with the vocals sounding phenomenal and Johnny a live wire to watch, barely standing still for a second. Their brand of metalcore is a little more cerebral than most, with progressive flourishes and more than a smattering of post-hardcore in the mix. They can still go heavy though, proven when just a few songs in, they blow out their snare drum. With ‘Confined Collapse’ and set closer ‘Echo And Dust Pt. 1’ (The band’s biggest song and the one that gets their best response) proving to be the highlights of a high energy opening set, you just know it won’t be the last we see if them on these shores.
A proposition like no other on all musical levels, Frontierer arrive on stage in a nightmarish light display that threatens to break your brain before a single note is played. The sound of planets colliding and dying condensed into various songs, they take unaware members of the audience by surprise, but the reception for their noise is massively positive. Sonically, they’re a combination of Converge and Car Bomb with frankly stunning discordance meshing with walls of sound and guitar insanity lead by Pedram Valiani. It’s claustrophobic and unsettling, yet if you persist, there’s beauty in the auditory torture, and an appreciation of rhythm and soundscapes well above their peers. They’ll have won over some new fans and undoubtedly made a few turn their noses up too, but none can deny the impact on the crowd and the slack jawed amazement in the room at tracks like ‘As The Night Wept’ from their new EP and the classic ‘Corrosive Wash’, the latter of which was so heavy it probably loosened the fillings of half the room.
Few bands these days can truly hold the title of “Supergroup” but Better Lovers are 100% one of them. Comprised of former members of Every Time I Die (Guitarist Jordan Buckley, bassist Steve Mioche and drummer Clayton Holyoak), The Dillinger Escape Plan (The legendary vocalist Greg Puciato), alongside producer extraordinaire Will Putney (Fit For An Autopsy, END)and they are much more than the sum of their parts. Playing a hybrid of chaotic modern metalcore and hardcore punk, their second UK tour has sold out Newcastle among other venues for good reason, the hype is massive. A mixtape of classic tracks around the theme of ‘Love’ plays out heralding their arrival to stage. Adorned in a leather jacket, Greg is effortlessly cool and composed as a frontman, and he sounds near perfect on modern anthems like ’13 over 30′ and ‘A White Horse Covered In Blood’. He’s calmed down a lot from his Dillinger days, but still carries an edge to his stride. With about three words of stage banter uttered, it’s an all business set as they barrel and crash through nearly every song they have to their name. With the production in The Grove coping well with the crushing riffs and juddering bass, they earn a few pits and many arms in the air singing along.
The adoring crowd’s reaction to Better Lovers adds to the energy and makes this a night to remember, as those at the front scream every word back and seem genuinely enamoured to be in the presence of musical royalty, a position every member of the band can claim. Yet, they still play every note like it’s their last and clearly have taken nothing for granted. A wonderful show that sends the crowd home with that warm, fuzzy feeling, despite the brass monkey weather outside.