Hang the Bastard – Nervewrecker – Thicket of Antlers

@ The Owl Sanctuary, Norwich 15.04.16

GIG REVIEW BY VICKY MILNE

There was much excitement surrounding tonight’s show but with a hint of sadness, with it being Hang The Bastards last UK outing before disbanding and calling time on their 9 year run.

Set with the task of opening the evening, Thicket of Antlers brought their metal mash up to the stage. Blasting into ‘Death Wave’ ‘Giantess’ and ‘Empty Pig’, TOA brought an air of confidence to the stage. Being relatively new to the circuit, I wasn’t sure what to expect from the Norwich based 5 piece, however, their sound was great, they played very tight and were very well received by the growing audience. Heavy riffs provided by David Newby (guitar) and James Maher (guitar), a pounding rhythm from James Rutterford (bass) and Calvin Chadwick (drums) and raw shouting vocals delivered by Charlie Pearce (vox), the sound was a mixture of metalcore, grindcore with a bit of sludge thrown in for good measure. Rounding off with ‘Rats’ and ‘Meat’, these chaps held their own giving a great energetic performance. I look forward to seeing them at some more shows in the future. I caught up with Charlie after the set who informed me that they are currently recording their first EP which they are hoping to release in the Summer ’16. So keep your eyes peeled and grab a copy.

Next up, also Norwich based, Nervewrecker took to the stage, casting out their sound of Doom across the room to eagerly awaiting ears. Starting out with ‘Glaciation’ and ‘Dejected’, their classic doomy chords being slowly and heavily pounded out of the speakers, reverberating around the crowd. The set was made even more atmospheric as the band being lit by only 2 single white lights from the back of the stage blasted into ‘Covetous’ and ‘Gateway’. With a sound and sloth speed rhythms that the likes of Slabdragger would be proud of, this set was slow, heavy, and loud. Having a natter with Ed (vox) after the show, Nervewrecker have recorded their second EP at Noise Cabin Studios in Huntingdon, which they are currently finishing off ready to hopefully release as soon as possible. They’re also looking to hopefully tour over the summer, so watch out for a venue near you as they are certainly a band not to miss.

 

Since 2007, Hang The Bastard have been delivering their Southern hardcore sound. They are a band that have struggled through many changes but came out fighting the other side. With their most recent full length from 2014, “Sex In The Seventh Circle” being their proudest record to date, thoughts were that they were back and better than ever. Sadly, this year, HTB announced that this tour, aptly named ‘The End Times’, would be their last. A message via their facebook page to their fans “After 9 years, 13 members and 17 bassists, Hang The Bastard are calling time”. So, as you can imagine, the excitement for this show was tinged with upset, with fans knowing this could be the last time they see one of their favourites play, a good choice by the band to choose smaller venues for a more intimate show I feel. Opening with ‘Keeping Vigil’, ‘Morrs Tempest’, ‘Beyond The Pale’ and ‘Sex in the Seventh Circle’, the guys barely came up for air during each track. Slamming them out one after the other creating a wall of noise that was keenly soaked up by the near capacity audience. Although a certain sense of fatigue shrouded the guys, you could see that they were digging deep and pushing out their crowd pleasing riffs. Galloping on into ‘The Majestic Gathering of Goetia’, ‘Absorption’, ‘Hornfel’, ‘Year is One’, the band wrapped up this epic set featuring songs from both their full lengths, with ‘Sweet Mother’. All in all this was an epic, loud and super heavy set that even a misbehaving microphone stand couldn’t detract the crowd from. HTB are finishing their run on a very strong note and with a few festival dates to come following the end of this tour, all fans that catch them before the end will be in for a massive audible treat. I would like to take this opportunity to wish all of the guys good luck for whatever the future may bring for them.

Vicky Milne

CHECK THEM OUT:

Thicket of Antlers:

https://www.facebook.com/thicketofantlers/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKX3eWaJ5w4

Nervewrecker:

https://www.facebook.com/Nervewreckeruk/timeline

http://nervewrecker.bandcamp.com/

Hang The Bastard:

https://www.facebook.com/hangthebastard/timeline

http://www.hangthebastard.co.uk/

https://www.youtube.com/user/HangthebastardTV

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