Adrenaline - Madhouse Bar - Friday 16th January 2009

Another joint visit by the Chopmusic team with Pink snapping away frenziedly to provide photographic evidence of the mayhem.

Aceldama had been highly recommended by various trusted sources and I was looking forward to seeing them for the first time. However several things conspired against me and I only saw the last couple of songs of their set. Musically they were tight, playing a style somewhere in the classic rock/gothic/power metal zone. I'm not sure if there was a problem with the monitors but the vocalist had an absolute shocker, at times so flat that it was teeth rattlingly uncomfortable. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt and keep an eye on their gig schedule to give a more considered review. Setlist; “Do It Again”, “Stomper”, “Dinosaurs”, “Things Will Change”, “The Reason Why”, “Hate”, and “The Last Time”.

Forlorn played a set of old and new and even unleashed a cover for their final number. The new songs were played back to back in the middle of their performance and all sounded polished. The return to their original line-up seems to suit them and there is a slightly different feel to their brutality these days. You'd definitely still describe them as death metal but there's an underlying groove too. The songs seem to have an extra bounce and fluidity now. If “Ferality”, “Doomed!”, and “Worlds End” are anything to go by the new EP or full length album should be a cracker. A blistering cover of Nailbomb's “Wasting Away” rounded off an assured display. Setlist; “In the Face Of Terror”, “Culture Shock”, “Ferality”, “Doomed!”, “Worlds End”, “Hearts To War”, and “Wasting Away”.

Adust played a blinder at the Flapper & Firkin last week (see Skullfox review). Played the same set tonight with equal aggression and finesse, so there's really not much I can add to my observations of the earlier gig. What I will say though is this; catch this band in this size venue while you can because I suspect they won't be playing this circuit for much longer. Bigger stages and crowds are what's required next – I'd love to see them tearing through this set at the Academy or Barfly. Surely it's only a matter of time. Very slick fellas, I'm looking forward to seeing you again soon. For the sake of completeness (excuse the repetition if you've read the Skullfox review!) tonight's setlist was; “Fall Of Man”, “The Evil That Dwells Within”, “Prinzessin”, “Blinded By Ignorance”, and “Forevermore”.

Adrenaline played a set that was comprised of material entirely from their new album. At the outset I have to say I'm amazed that the vocalist Dave screamed his way through the set, as a heavy cold/virus was clearly taking its toll. Fair play fella! Had to cut their intended set slightly short due to the 11pm curfew which was a pity as the songs they didn't play (“Hand Over Fire” and “Smile”) would have gone down a storm. If you like metalcore and hardcore played at a furious level of intensity with skull-crushing breakdowns, then this is the band for you. Genuinely Adrenaline never fail to deliver, and tonight's set was as punishing as ever, as my aching neck the next morning attested! They're off on tour soon – check out their schedule and go and see them – you won't be disappointed. Another assured and technical set made to look ridiculously easy to round off another enjoyable evening. Setlist; “Playing The Role Of God”, “Kill It For Me”, “Relentless”, “Provoking The Thought”, “The Bereaved”, “While You Sleep”, “Sins Of A Thousand”; encore - “Inertia”.

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