Dark Matter Events
Horrorcaused – Kaitain – Quadrant – Skyline Ablaze
Zanzibar
3.2.2012
Finally the day had arrived! I had been looking forward to this event after managing to get a slot for Kaitain, and seeing them live at the K on the 13th January, and loving Horrorcaused and Skyline Ablaze too it was a good opportunity of seeing the genre’s meet and Dark Matters Event take shape.
Arriving early as I always do, and met Steph and her sister outside and the usual frivolities ensued. Sound check started as Kaitain arrived on time and ready for action.
The atmos at the Zanzi was already vibrant and a cluster of people had entered and settled to hear the sound check.
As ever Pat set to work and after two songs from Kaitain the sound was perfect! I expected nothing else from Pat, the wizard behind the desk! The guys were happy and the event was starting to take shape.
Steph and Joe (of Goacore) had very little time to prepare for this, but did a fantastic job getting the fliers done and set everything up really well. They were terrific hosts for the event and mingled with everyone.
DME is going to be with us until the end of May with gigs every two weeks in the month filled with the best possible bands, so it is well worth noting and heading down to the Zanzi to support them and indeed the bands. It is also worth noting that after Dark Matter Events comes Attitude with Josh Green – who spins the sound for anything Alternative – Metal – Hip hop and Dub-step, so there is something for everyone!
Horrorcaused – Liverpool (on stage 8.00 – 8.30)
Link:
Genre: Heavy Thrash/Metal
Horrorcaused have been banned from most places – but this is why I like them. They are quirky and tongue in cheek out and out rebel metal, but they have slightly calmed their act down from the days of Helrazer, when dolls with burned heads were randomly kicked into the audience – although the fake blood was still apparent.
First on stage and delivering some blistering tracks you can’t help but love em! Each track delivered in their unique way and liked by all the bands playing at the event. Adolf seemed to go into some trance like state, covered in blood, the only one in fact, which was a shame, but there ya go! Dave spent a lot of the time with his back to the audience also a shame. Phily really churned out some awesome guitar, whilst Dibb smashed the drums and Joe for the first time playing bass (although I had been informed of this beforehand) presumed he was joking. But Joe seemed relaxed on stage, he really gave the set his all that night.
At the end of the set just before they played Zombie Killer, Adolf announced we should protect the zombies and a voice piped up “gay!” was particularly funny and sparked laughter in the crowd.
I was hoping for a bit more “full on” action but maybe after all the bans the band had decided to play it safe in order to get more gigs, but if you ever see a poster mentioning Horrorcaused do go and check them out, they are well worth seeing live!
Set List:
Ghouls and Ghosts
Abortion Hell
Myra Mains
Odin
Undead
Nasty Zombie Roller Disco
Zombie Killer
Members:
Dibb Lid – Drums
Adolf Bityer – Vocals
Dave Gardener – Vocals
Phily Atkinson – Guitar
Joe Bromley - Bass
Kaitain – Chester (on stage 8.45 – 9.15)
Link:
Genre: Rock/Metal
Well the guys were as excited to want to get on stage and play at the Zanzi and even for the sound check I was receiving a lot of good feedback for them. One person being Tony himself! (The owner of the Zanzibar)
One guy asked me if it was the band’s first gig... to which I replied no they have been going since 2009, but tended to play more Manchester and Chester areas, but that will change if I have anything to do with it. And Kaitain will hopefully be back at the Zanzibar in April for another Dark Matters Event.
The band was completely blown away with the friendly attitude at the Zanzi, from staff and the other bands playing on the night.
After being given a set list Alan then decided to ask the others if they should drop “Drown” and replace it with “Vicious Circle” so that is what they decided to do. Although I have to say I personally like “Drown”
Once on stage the band kicked in with “Morphia” the beautiful strings surged into action and people stood watching and taking in all they heard.
As the guy’s swapped over guitars – well all three of them actually – it sparked off a shocked gasp as Mark from Skyline who said to me “Wow is that it then? I was just getting into that!) So he was well relieved when the guys started playing again. But it was because Al could not sing to the level the guitars were tuned into, which is fair enough.. So with a quick change and into Hollow Tree, one of the tracks I have heard least in the set, which I will rectify as soon as possible.
Solid and tight the band performed their five tracks with gusto and dedication and it was felt by the people attending the night.
When the guys played “Babylon Rise” my all-time favourite track from the band I couldn’t help but sing along. The catchy melodic but yet heavy feel to the track is unmistakeably KAITAIN. Al’s vocals suit the music perfectly and they are a good solid team who communicate well together and have that no nonsense approach, just powerful rock played at its utmost best! Mark from Skyline actually compared them to Opeth! But I try not to compare bands with any other as each band have their own unique flavour in my opinion unless they are a cover band wanting to sound like the original, and not listening to a lot of mainstream bands I think that it is the way to go as you remain in neutral, but all bands have influences that inspire them – that we cannot get away from.
At the end of the set, the audience were a bit deflated and wanted them to carry on – just as I did. But this has paved the way for more gigs for the band and believe me Liverpool is going to get a battering!
Great set guys - you nailed it!
Set List:
Morphia
No way out
Hollow Tree
Babylon Rise
Vicious Circle
Members:
Alan Conroy – Guitar/Vocals
Jack Gordon – Guitar
Tom Wild – Bass
Si Dodds - Drums
Quadrant – Liverpool (on stage 9.30 – 10.00)
Very little is known of this strange quirky band with high pitched vocalist. Although they were not my cup of proverbial tea, a lot of the crowd seemed transfixed on the stage. The music quality was good but somehow the vocals seemed out of place. I would have put this band on first to open the event as I mentioned to Joe on the night.
There seems no record of Quadrant anywhere that I can see on Facebook to give any links.
Being an “Indie” band I cannot comment any further.
******
Skyline Ablaze – Southport/Liverpool (on stage 10.15 – 10.45)
Link:
Genre: Metal/Shred core
Well Skyline is back with a vengeance! Seeing the band on numerous occasions you cannot fail to be moved by the vicious, ferocious pounding beats that wrap themselves around your ears.
The band is now coming into its own, and bringing a large audience with it. The band had a great rapport with the crowd and presented themselves on stage fantastically well.
There was an extra song added to the set which was “Desert Road” and proved to be an audience fave. The shreds were amazing, the vocals superb, the drumming immense you could not fault Skyline. Track after track just ate you alive. The looks on the bands faces were something to behold as they delivered this brutal set that just carried you on a dark and vicious wave until the end.
The band involved the audience offering free CD’s to who could mosh the best up front – and believe me there were a few up there – hair flying in all directions – well done Haydn :D
Finally “Sever the Ties” a particularly savage track on which to end this amazing night. The guys slaughtered the Zanzi yet again, with fire and determination.
Superb gig, superb band and well worth the tweezers!!
Set List:
Been too long
Take what is yours
Shifts in Perception
Desert Road
Left for Dead
Sever the Ties
