Live Review: Rolo Tomassi, Pupil Slicer, Heriot | The Fleece, Bristol | 23/02/22
It’s difficult to detail a greater success story in UK musical extremity than Rolo Tomassi. Originally starting life as somewhat of a curiosity, the band have outgrown their kitschy ways and have emerged as one of the most dynamic, emotive and atmospheric bands on the planet, spearheading the way for the next wave of artists specialising in the seismic and celestial musical punishment in which they have now essentially perfected.
Heriot
Tonight’s opener Heriot is without question one such artist. Despite being a relatively new proposition, Heriot have already dug their talons into the national extreme metal scene, securing their position as one of the most vital new bands through recent appearances with the likes of Svalbard, CLT DRP, Palm Reader and even hardcore heavyweights Knocked Loose. However their appearance on this tour only solidifies the fact that this extraordinary band is truly harbingering the future of musical punishment.
Performing content from their highly anticipated debut EP Profound Mortality before an already busy venue, Heriot can only descried as sound weaponised as both a bludgeoning and lacerating force. Much like the sound of nails being dragged down a chalkboard, tonight Heriot trigger what could be aptly described as a fight-or-flight response, one that’s genuinely scalping and disarming. Flaying the crowd with the likes of ‘Coalescence’, ‘Dispirit’ and ‘Cleansed Existence’ their fluid approach to barbaric extreme metal is startlingly evident and force the crowd into rapt attention.
In an age where many bands attempt to present themselves as intimating and relentless through frivolous gimmicks, Heriot employ no such substance-less ploys. There’s no such gimmicks, no paper-thin stage getups and no actual threats of violence employed – just pure scalping musical venom presented effortlessly through their intricate and finely tuned approach to absolute aggression. Even if it’s still early days for the band, it’s crystal clear tonight that Heriot are well and truly on their way to claiming the lofty spoils in which tonight’s headliners have now claimed.
Score: 9/10
Pupil Slicer
In similar vein, Pupil Slicer are another act that have come out of the pandemic to newfound acclaim. Following on from the release of their debut Mirrors almost exactly a year ago, the chaotic mathcore collective have been shot into the stratosphere, earning the backing of Prosthetic Records in the process. However, whilst Heriot may have had no troubles performing in such venues, it appears Pupil Slicer may have found some difficulties in being transplanted into venues of this calibre. Instead of providing a serrated musical experience on par with their namesake, the opening tracks of ‘Martyrs’ and ‘Husk’ are hammered clumsily and lack the precision found on their recorded work.
Thankfully however, it only appears to be an awkward start. As the group delve into their latest single ‘Thermal Runaway’ and ‘Mirrors Are More Fun Than Television’, Pupil Slicer find their collective footing, tap into that aforementioned piercing accuracy and enter a berserk like state. Even with the group performing technical mathcore at it’s most blistering, there’s a fantastic sense of chemistry shared between the band tonight, one that’s clearly evident and palatable as the band dive into the technical and highly emotive nature of ‘Collective Unconscious’.
The only one slight gripe one could have with this performance after the wonky introduction would be the vocals of frontwoman Kate Davies, who’s typically shirking vocals take the guise of a more blacked rasp tonight. Still, it’s to be expected after such a prolonged period on the road, and furthermore, such a delivery actually compliments their work. The real, experienced pain in her words is still articulated to their full effect and it’s easy to look past this one, albeit minor issue. Whilst they may have some tightening to go through, it’s clear that Pupil Slicer are set to do chaotic mathcore proud in the long run.
Score: 7/10
Rolo Tomassi
As for tonight’s headliner, well, what new things can be said for Rolo Tomassi. Whilst many thought the now transatlantic entity may have reached their creative zenith with 2018’s Time I Will Die And Love Will Bury It, their new LP Where Myth Becomes Memory truly shows that this is band beyond the realm of boundaries and expectations. The album stands as both a continuation of the celestial punishment and ethereal majesty presented in their 2018 effort whilst also see’s the band journeying down new avenues. It truly is a masterclass in genrephobic dynamism, and clearly, Rolo Tomassi have the skill to bring it to life at their biggest headline show in Bristol to date this evening.
Related: Rolo Tomassi – Where Myth Becomes Memory | Album Review
Opening with ‘Cloaked’ prior to treating The Fleece to the serrated riffs of ‘Labyrinthine’, it’s clear that Rolo Tomassi have entered yet another new chapter of their career. With a setlist composed purely of material from the last two records further solidifying this, the band have fully forged the acrobatics and erraticism that once defined them all those years back and have become an act dedicating to showcasing their finesse in the most awe-inspiring way possible. As they flow through the likes of ‘Balancing The Dark’, ‘Alma Mater’ and a triumphant, goosebump inducing rendition of ‘Mutual Ruin’, the group bedazzle and enchant the audience gathered here tonight in a way that’s almost hypnotic. Of course, Rolo Tomassi have long establishment a penchant for holding the attention that all that befall them with a vice grip through the means of their musical dynamism years back, but tonight just shows they have perfected such an art. They’ve long abandoned the wild stage antics of their youth and the chemistry shared between sibling duo James Spence and Eva Korman is paramount, feeding into the divine carnage being performance; something that takes a paradigmatic shift as the group slide into the tender and starlight beauty of ‘Closer’.
Despite the aforementioned skilled sibling duo taking centre stage, it also becomes clear that the inclusion of Al Pott on drums has enhanced the band to even greater heights. Despite the group’s new record being the drummer’s first outing with the band, Rolo Tomassi’s new stage show simply presents how Pott has become a vital integral component of the act, clearly on record and evidently in a live environment. Even with Pott thrashing wildly behind the cans, their performance is one of direct precision and focus, hammering home the dexterity of new material such as ‘To Resist Everything’, ‘Whispers Among Us’, – and in particular – ‘Drip’. It’s easy to take the percussion for granted on the new record, but in a live environment such as this it’s impossible not to appreciate how their drum work plays a central role in the overwhelming brilliance of the band.
Yes, everyone by now has sang Rolo Tomassi’s praises to the heavens. But even with their finesse, skill and just straight up excellence now long established, tonight just shows that this band still have the power to stun, surprise and enrapture even after these years. There’s simply no band on Earth like Rolo Tomassi, and with this show being a testament to that, it appears the band have now – much like their youthful antics – shed all pretences of expectations and have now become an act totally unparalleled.
Score: 10/10