DOPE w/ Soil and Our Last Enemy

One of the last bands around for the sex-drugs-and-rock-n-roll? Maybe! Dope’s manner surely translates to the former, and they pulled off their sleaze with attitude, and another wild outfit in tow. This industrial metal act has built a reputation of a unique stage presence the world-over, their take on industrial metal is laced with sexual innuendos, surrounded by catchy choruses and motifs that translate live just as well as they do on record, and yet, their Australian audience has had to miss out on countless occasions.

Having released their latest album “No Regrets” earlier in 2009, Dope finally landed down-under with nu-metal outfit SOiL to sate the appetites of fans that have yet to experience the hype and energy of these two bands in the flesh. Supported by Sydney industrial metallers Our Last Enemy, this December show was a sure promise for a crazy night.

Arriving at the Manning Bar one was again greeted with a line of punters all anxious to enter the doors. From past experiences at this venue, the gap between opening its doors and first band hitting the stage is very petite, leading to many missing the first few songs from the support. Tonight was not a different story. Missing some of their set, what I did see of Our Last Enemy was as always fantastic. Their industrial metal brings forth a mix of synthetic keys, with harsh vocal lines crowned with proficient guitar solos that one doesn’t tend to witness from most industrial acts. Every time I have seen Our Last Enemy live, I’ve noticed that their crowd is always on a steady increase, and becoming wilder. This is, of course, not a coincidence, as the quintet overtly put massive energy into their performances. Having supported the likes of The Amenta, Hanzel Und Gretyl and Static – X all in one year, it is now a wonder as to why they are not headlining their own shows.

With another beverage in hand, it was time for Soil to hit the stage. Hailing from Chicago, this hard core act fuse groove laden motifs tied within nu metal vocals and an over-all hard hitting style. As they entered the stage the crowd was indeed ready and wild for their first time visit to our shores. Front man A. J. Cavalier did an awesome job at communicating and engaging his audience, whilst still being known as the “new guy” after almost five years with the band. What I did find amusing was him asking the crowd for their best “death metal screams”, after this request rang true more than once, I decided I had seen enough. Soil was tight, energetic, and the crowd loved them, but they are just not a band playing to my own musical preferences.

With what felt like a prolonged sound check, the sleaze was finally in front of us to deliver a tight, humorous and above all crazy night. Opening their set with “Violence” Dope gave their fans an awesome mix from their back catalogue as well as latest release ‘No Regrets”.  Mixing from “Bitch”, “Die Motherfucker Die” to “Fuck tha Police” and “Survive”, Dope truly know how to please their crowd. With banter filling space between songs, one comment surely got the crowd’s attention. Edsel Dope decided to ask for dope. In response - everyone had the weed, and yet when asked to throw it upon the stage, one could hear a pin drop. After a prolonged discussion about both Brisbane and Melbourne having weed, one punter finally decided to throw Edsel a bone, in the form of a joint.

Proceeding with their set, Dope’s covers of Billy Idol’s “Rebel Yell” and “You Spin Me ‘Round” by Dead or Alive, received great reactions, filling the room with a chorus of off-key bellowing from an audience who did resemble a fucking party.

As the quartet walked off stage, it was obvious that an encore was in due, after all they had not yet played “Addiction”, and it was no surprise for them to return and rip into this final offering, which sent the mosh pit into insanity.

As the lights came on, smiles from the audience were witnessed all over, and indeed this was a brilliant way to end 2009. Playing their last Australian show, I am certain that the attitude of sex-drugs-and-rock-n-roll that is Dope will return once more and hopefully sooner rather than later!