Pix by Luke Petty
Thanks to Everblack Podcast
With Good Things done and dusted, the only way Aussie metalheads are going to get to see most of those acts again in the near future is to go and see one of their sideshows (if they are doing any).
And with Brisbane hosting the final show of the three-city music extravaganza, locals this week have been treated to a plethora of actual final shows from a number of bands from the bill.
But there was only one place most metal fans wanted to be on Monday night, and that was The Princess Theatre in Woolloongabba for the sideshow by none other than the mighty Sepultura.
I had not even heard of this venue previously and knew nothing about it, but from the moment we swept through the front doors and saw the majestic beauty of the dingy, made-for-metal confines you just knew something special was about to transpire.
It wasn’t until about five minutes in that I realized I actually HAD been to this theatre before – some 25 years ago – to see a previously banned movie called Salo: 120 Days Of Sodom. The movie had been banned for a reason and from memory that night there was half a dozen ambulances stationed nearby which had a constant influx of moviegoers passing through their doors physically ill and fainting from the movie. It was honestly that bad, although I didn’t faint. I’m not sure if it has been banned again, but it should!
Anyway, Deprivation were already into full swing as Brad and I arrived and fuck me can these boys put on a show!
The vocalist prowled the stage like an unrestrained beast while the remainder of the band decimated the large stage area, trashing it musically with disdain.
The sound was great to match the band’s intensity, with the drummer sitting proudly up the back like a schizophrenic conductor setting the tone.
It wasn’t until afterwards I found out the drummer was local legend Tricky who had been drafted in for the show only a couple of weeks prior and still smashed it.
Top-notch effort all round.
Hidden Intent were up next, and I know from past experience how much these guys own a stage. They would have to be one of the hardest working and most respected bands in this country, and their invitations to perform at Wacken and Bloodstock this year were both well-deserved and reward for effort.
The first thing that caught my eye – before my ears even engaged – was the resplendent green guitar sported by the lead guitarist with a highly pink strap that strangely looked metal as fuck despite the odd colour arrangement.
And then he struck the first note, and it soon became obvious it didn’t matter what colour his guitar or accessories were, they would still sound shit hot.
Firing off with A Place Of Horror and Breaking Point, Hidden Intent had the crowd in their pockets from the outset, demanding a circle pit – and getting it – by the third song and not relenting until closing with Addicted To Thrash and a ripping cover of Slayer’s Altar Of Sacrifice.
And what would a Brisbane metal show be without the sight of Odius drummer Chalky and his pasty white legs crashing through a pit? Even from the corner of my eye the entertaining spectacle was a sight to behold, and I just hope others managed to clear a path before he trampled over and/or through them.
I found out afterwards that the pit had also been taken over by a blind woman – minus her walking cane – who moshed with unrestrained enthusiasm and gave nothing away. Now THAT’s metal!
By the time Sepultura took the stage the crowd was well and truly primed for a rapturous farewell and the guys from Brazil set out to make sure they squeezed every ounce of goodwill from their fans, launching straight into Isolation followed by Territory and Means To An End before even exchanging pleasantries.
Up close, frontman Derrick Greene is even more imposing, and he dominated the stage with his vocals and presence from the very first note and pulled his loyal army in close until it was time to finally let go.
They punished our senses through the set with song after devastating song, including Attitude, Kairos and a beautifully touching rendition of Guardians Of Earth before closing the actual set with Agony Of Defeat and Refuse/Resist. But there was no way Brisbane fans were going to let the Brazilian metal warriors go just yet, and Sepultura were in no mood to argue.
They came back out for three encores, finishing the tour with Arise and Ratamahatta before a crushing rendition of Roots nearly brought the theatre crashing down around us.
It was an epic concert by an even more epic band and was emphatic proof – if any was really needed – that going to sideshows is a must for lovers of music in general. You just don’t get that sound and personal attention at a festival.
