'Sike Your Mind': Carpathian, Miles Away, Down To Nothing, 50 Lions & Abandon All Hope
Fowler's Live
Friday 24 August


Abandon All Hope set the mood for the night with an energy-driven performance showcasing most of the songs off their debut EP 'Where Life And Death Meet'. Keyless Cage was a definite highlight track, and the onstage antics presented by this death metalcore quintet were nothing short of professional and enjoyable. Although this show/tour/festival does have a hardcore music theme, Abandon All Hope proved they can compare to anyone.

I have been following 50 Lions for some time and have been eager to see their live performance, as all I had heard were amazing things. Sadly, I don't think it was their night. Compared to Abandon All Hope, 50 Lions just didn't seem as passionate or vigorous. Vocalist Oscar McCall seemed to be either out of breath, or the sound engineer did not have the microphone volume up enough, because I could barely understand the vocals at all. To The Test was certainly a crowd favourite, but to be honest I'm not overly impressed by any means.

The international band for the night Down To Nothing followed and absolutely destroyed the stage and any doubts following the band on a predominantly Australian dominated hardcore gig. Performing with explosive energy and a huge sound, the quartet could have easily headlined this show without any threat from any other band. Sadly, their headline Australian tour isn't visiting Adelaide, but hopefully these American natives are fast to return.

The main support for the night Miles Away followed with the challenge of playing as solidly as Down To Nothing, and they came very close to succeeding. Fresh off releasing their sophomore album 'Rewind, Repeat', the Perth locals still maintain the strong level of enthusiasm in set, and it's a Miles Away custom which I have come to adore. Brainwashed was a climax and the songs off their older album 'Consequences' provided similar outcomes.

Finally Carpathian jumped on stage with yet another reshuffled line-up. Regardless, even though this quintet modifies their line-up frequently, their strength as a band has not been dampened at all. Throughout the entire set, vocalist Marty Kirby could have just left the microphone in the crowd, as everyone was singing louder than he could. The five-piece still gave it their all nevertheless and proved they owned the stage. Kirby even went to the extent of kicking off kids who had made it onto the stage from the mosh pit. The show was world class, and even with the newer track played being quite different to their earlier material, I am counting the days for Carpathian's next release and next show with the Taste Of Chaos.

Will Oakeshott