Adust - Madhouse - Friday 18th July 2008

Thanks to Jewels from Rock and Rose for our inclusion on the guest list - appreciate it and nice to meet you. Akrya were regrettably informed they were unable to play due to them having an underage band member, so the three bands tonight were...

As The Earth Burns are a young five piece band from Burton-on-Trent who play thrash with a death/extreme twist. They weren't 100% happy with their set-up from the off, especially the drummer (Oolay) whose kick-drumming was off from the word go. Got it back towards the end of the set but by then the damage had been done. Somewhat ragged set in a number of ways, vocals (Manti) lacked conviction and aggression, and they could have been tighter overall as a band. The guitar work of Broady and Charlie was fine, as was the bass from Phill. The latter looked strangely out of place on the stage however, both in terms of image and stage presence. Having said that their six self-penned tracks showed promise, so I guess they are a band who need seeing again in the not too distant future - I'll give you the benefit of the doubt fellas! Setlist tonight was Common Individuality, Worn, Ignorance, Dawn Of War, Nothing, Track 5 and God Knows. There's potential here, with a few more gigs under their belts and some work in the rehearsal room, they could be one to keep an eye on.

Dark Paradise welcomed a newcomer to the band tonight in the shape of Danny on bass. Hadn't been with them long and seemed a bit nervous early on (slightly difficult to tell as he was wearing a Jason-style mask!) but overall fitted in seamlessly. Always nice to see a four string fretless played well, top effort Danny! Suitably impressed when I saw them at the Black Horse in May tonight's set was a cracker. They play thrash/ metalcore very proficiently, no covers in their set tonight just six well-written and performed originals. Thought Tom's backing vocals weren't that great, but otherwise can't fault them. Dave pounded the kit furiously and formed a fomidable rhythm section with Danny. Andy and Tom's dual guitarwork was crisp and well-timed. Dropped the bombshell that this could well be their last gig (Dave's off to Poland soon). If this is the case you certainly leave on a high note. Genuinely I feel there is a lot of mileage left in the band and hope that you will carry on, either with another drummer or perhaps after a sabbatical with Dave rejoining the band. It would be a great shame if your new material is not played in the future. Hopefully not their swansong, but if it is their last six songs on stage together were Cold & Lifeless, Mask Of Ink, Psycophant, Violence, Lips And Liars and Dark Paradise. Crowd lapped it up and rightly so. Fellas I urge you again to not do anything hasty: hopefully I'll see Dark Paradise again, if not please keep me posted regarding any new projects. Whatever you decide, best of luck!!

Adust had a trick or two up their sleeve tonight and were buzzing from very early on in the evening. Both Rob and Dave informed me that tonight's set was going to be a bit different and so it proved. Thanks initially to Rob for the best designed setlist I've been given this year, top effort fella!! Empty Spaces, The Fall Of Man and Prinzessin were quite frankly stunning and clinically executed. Dave and Guy's guitarwork was as meticulous as ever, Danny was in ferocious form on the kit and combined with Matt's solid basswork it was musically a flawless start. Rob's vocals were as vicious as usual, trust me this man can scream!! Killswitch Engage's Life To Lifeless was next. Inspired cover version, although if I'm being critical the guitars could have been slightly choppier (either that or it's a tweak on your heads to change the tone slighty) and the song overall needed a bit more bounce to it. This is my favourite KSE song despite my mishap during it when I saw them at the Academy last year (cutting a very long story short my pit technique was slightly suspect and my wedding ring parted company with my hand never to be seen again.. [yeah, ya bugger!!!!! - Ed]). Looking forward to hearing you play it again soon guys and a good addition to your set. Blinded By Ignorance was stunning and preceded another cover in the shape of 28 Days Later. Worked well, although Rob looked a bit strange sat down at the back of the stage (obviously in a bigger venue he'd disappear into the wings). Again worth keeping in the set. Slave New World and the intricate yet brutal Forevermore completed their set strongly.

Another quality (if uncomfortably hot) evening at the Madhouse. As The Earth Burns basically need to play more gigs and I'm sure in time they will be a solid outfit. Hopefully this wasn't Dark Paradise's last gig, but if it was it was one hell of a way to go. Adust are growing in confidence and I respect them for trying something different. Liked the inclusion of the covers, and in spite of my comments (hopefully pointers!!) they need to stay in the set for a while. Pleasure as always fellas and I'll continue doing my bit to spread the Adust love!!