DECAPITATED w/ Psycroptic, Misery Index and Origin

Apart from the incoming rain, it was overtly clear as to why the hordes of punters were anxious to get inside, tonight’s line-up not only held Origin, Misery Index and Psycroptic, but the return of headliners – Decapitated.

Heading into The Factory Theatre it was not a long wait before Origin hit the stage. With the right beverage in hand, we were ready for an aural onslaught. Why Origin was chosen as the opening band I do not know, and neither did many, however that aside these metallers held up their end of the deal, and blew their audience away.

Origin highlighted their technical and maniacal proficiency throughout the set, with Mike Flores catching everyone’s attention with his impeccable bass work and speed. The vocal layering throughout their set was incredible, and the deliverance of ‘The Aftermath’ was, for lack of a better word, fucking crazy!

Next up were Baltimore’s Misery Index. This death/grind quartet enthused more punters toward the stage, whose crowd was now of a younger assemblage. With thrashing locks, and slamming heads visible from a safer vantage point, Misery Index presented a thrashing and breakdown-laden set; they were tight and engaged their audience, however I found myself aiming for the bar and out for fresh air.

The main support of the night was the blatantly well fitting Psycroptic. Hailing from Tasmania, this four-piece highlighted why they were chosen for this tour. Tearing through their set, the sound reverberated throughout the venue. As ‘The Color of Sleep’ was met with insanity, their precision and stage presence was lapped up by the flock of punters below that grew into a crazed state.

As timid as I am to admit it, I am quite sure that this show was my first live experience of Psycroptic, and after witnessing their set, it is palpably clear as to why this quartet always receives such an immense response from their crowds.

Another break and all were ready for headliners Decapitated. A band that I have never seen live before, I was eager to see what the new line up would offer. If you are reading this review, you are presumably aware of the loss that Decapitated has endured; and thus without reiteration of the tragedy, this bereavement seemed to linger during the night.

New vocalist, Rafal Piotrowski, did his best to engage the crowd, however there seemed to be a language barrier, and the technical hiccups didn’t help matters. The band delivered, but was undermined by a bad mix and technical difficulties throughout the set. That being said, the crowd overlooked the aforementioned, with a blasting wave of heads observed in concurrence with the band.

The quartet did their best with the problems at hand, which ultimately could not damage, nor weaken, their incredible musical proficiency, and delivered a solid, hard hitting set.

The speed and ferocity with which Decapitated play was fantastic to see in the flesh, the strength on stage was mirrored by the continuously vicious pit below, and as their ominous riffs came to a halt, the beer and metal enthused crowd was left to applaud and continue this killer night at the nearest bar found.