Party Vibez vs. Sorcery ”Skitzmix 666” + Scumguts
+ Beyond Contempt + Povarotti
Brunswick Hotel, Melbourne
25 September 2015
Review by Jake Gleeson
Opening up for the night were Brisbane’s Povarotti, unleashing an onslaught of death/grind punk. These guys were intense, feeding off each other’s energy resulting in a truly manic set. Particularly impressive was the drumming, relentless speed and dynamic fills. Not without a sense of humour, Povarotti included a grind rendition of a Beastie Boys song, before ending their set on a high not with their crushing mammoth track No Way Out.
Brutal thrash/punk band Beyond Contempt were up next, creating a spectacle with a smoke/fog machine. Fast paced, technical thrash riffs, and a vocalist who can really belt it out, Beyond Contempt‘s set seemed to fly at 100km. The vocalist gave a frenzied performance, jumping off stage to get amongst the crowd without missing a beat. With gang vocals and songs like Gimme A Break, Generation Wuss, Fisting and Boxcutter, the band certainly know how to thrash, and they do it well.
Fast-as-f*ck, ripping grind. That’s the impression I got from Scumguts, hailing all the way from QLD for the show. The band’s vocalist is a legend, having just gotten out of hospital before the show, giving a killer performance complete with hospital-wristband. Scumguts‘ set was punishing, and the sheer power of their set commanded your attention. It was the guitarist’s 28th birthday as well, and the band’s intensity conveyed just how much Queensland has to offer. If you ‘re looking for a dedicated band, look no further.
Kicking off the battle for supremacy between Sorcery and Party Vibez for their Skitzmix 666 split. Sydney band Sorcery opened with a flurry of noise, with the vocalist’s back to the audience before launching into an electrifying set. Watching the band perform, it was as though they were indeed possessed by some evil magic, heckling the Melbourne crowd between songs to provoke a reaction. These guys ripped hard; full throttle thrashing riffs and mad vocals. If you get the chance, definitely catch them on tour, or whenever you can.
Toward the end of the night the audience had really filled the room, and as soon as Melbourne crossover legends Party Vibez walked on stage, picking up their instruments and launching into their set, the crowd went mental. Tearing through Who Laughs Last and Erased From Existence (the latter off their album Legends of Gnarlia), it’s clear the band know how to entertain the crowd. These crazy thrashers nearly had the entire audience moshing and crowd surfing, with drinks and beer flying everywhere; their brand of crossover party thrash was well received on the night.
With the help of eager fans and mates, gang vocals had a huge impact, as the set went on including a mix of old and new songs, Goin Rogue, Indiana Cones and Strapped for Thrash, Party Vibez didn’t let up for a second. Inciting everyone to circle pit before their track Soul Pizza, while also warning they’d stop playing if it didn’t happen, the rampage that ensued was intense.
In the aftermath of the show the windows of the Brunny were steamed up and dripping with Vibez, blood, sweat, beers and riffs.
