I Am Colossus - Scruffy Murphy's - Thursday 31st July 2008

Advertised as a night of doom and drone, the latter came courtesy of...

Looord))). First live appearance for two of IAC's personnel, Carl on guitar and Chris, unusually, on drums. IAC are minimalist and play monolithic doom. Imagine them on Mogodon and you are close to Looord))). Funeral doom doesn't quite cut it, and drone is a little too derivative, this was stripped down, mournful and primal all rolled into one. Played one, as yet untitled, song in their set which lasted forty minutes. The first ten minutes was essentially a very lengthy and subdued intro. The main piece was extemporised around several key elements according to Chris and Carl shortly after coming off stage. Some parts got too repetitive for me but overall it worked. Certain sections would work very well with accompanying herbal substances I thought, sorry was informed by those in the know... It seems uncertain how many outings Looord))) will get, if you do get to see them, you've been warned!!

I Am Colossus are off to the studio soon to begin work on their debut album. If they can capture tonight's performance in the studio it will be a punishing listen. Their repertoire is now fully developed and again they were jaw-droppingly powerful. The band get tighter with each show and their confidence and overall stage presence is staggering. Still Life was a brutal opener and led into the ever crushing Revelations. Monolithic does what it says on the tin. The two longest songs were saved for last with Moss Icon and In The Name Of The Father rounding off an accomplished display of precision (almost surgical) doom. Good as the set was, at 50 minutes or so it could have been longer, but that would be my only criticism.

It only remains to say hope all goes well in the studio fellas. Looking forward to hearing their post-recording gigs and finished album in due course.