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This year's Euroblast tour is features the djent workings of Vildhjarta and Monuments supporting the somewhat different ex-guitarist of Nevermore Jeff Loomis for his first solo outing to the UK.
Striking an impressive presence with six men on the stage, Sweden's Vildhjarta are on course to providing some djent musings for the audience to hear. Their music contains plenty of distortion and features some melodic passages. Vocal duties are split between two members - a standard death metal growl and a higher pitched effort. The turn out is a strong one and they provide a perfect appetiser for the next act.
It may seem for a genre essentially built around the work of Messhugah that djent is a genre of music that can be quite creatively limiting, hence the fixation on skill, but London's own Monuments have attempted to refresh the genre by fusing metalcore elements to it. Formed in 2009, this year they released their debut 'Gnosis' to their impressive fanbase. Angular grooves are off-set by heavy drumming and metalcore shouts with clean vocals, that do sound somewhat whiny. Nonetheless, the energy expulsed retains audience numbers and they are held in particularly high regard by those who watch them.
In 2011, Jeff Loomis made the decision to leave legendary prog thrash metallers Nevermore alongside drummer Van Williams, a move that was supposedly long overdue. Although it is unknown as to whether or not Nevermore will continue, Loomis has certainly moved on, releasing his second solo effort this year entitled 'Plains of Oblivion'. Jeff Loomis and his band take the stage to strong applause and launch into 'Jato Unit' from his 2008 debut full-length 'Zero Order Phase'. The instrumental track beautifully showcases the heights of Loomis' technical capabilities.
Admittedly, this is kind of gig is not for everybody but fortunately, those in attendance are certainly fans of instrumental wizardry. Loomis skillfully handles the guitar, playing songs that at their core are complex progressive metal and frequently draw on a thrash metal influence, creating a strong groove for audience members to headbang to. Selections from both albums are on offer tonight, although the set does favour more material from 'Zero Hour Phase'. 'Sibylline Origin' works itself into the audience in a fantastic manner, deploy aerial-sounding riffs alongside the heavy and technical, while 'Shouting Fire at a Funeral' secures a particularly fervent reaction. Despite releasing a new album this year, Loomis offers up two new songs that the fans certainly sink their teeth into, given they share the Loomis signature style.
Rhythm guitarist Joe Nurre is on hand to provide vocals for the few songs that require them. He comments to the audience that he is not Jeff Loomis and that at every gig they have done, fans mistake him for Loomis, presumably because both share a shaggy blonde mane. He wants to let those who took photos of him assuming he was the headlining act that he is not. Nurre's vocals are of the growled variety and compliments the heavier moments in the songs. He also encourages pits to be set off, which initially seems unlikely, but it happens alongside a few stage invaders. Not quite what someone would expect from a largely instrumental gig.
Following a new track, Loomis closes the set with 'Surrender', from 'Plains of Oblivion', originally with Ihasahn of former Emperor fame on vocals. Nurre's black metal rasps and clean vocals serve the song well and Loomis' guitar playing brought smiles to fans' faces. The band vacated the stage after this and fans waited eagerly for an encore but unfortunately, their wait was in vain. Nonetheless, it is fair to say that Loomis destroyed London on his first UK outing. Even solo, he is an entertaining performer and undoubtedly his future will remain bright.
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article by: Elena Francis
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| published: 01/11/2012 12:08 |
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