The Dillinger Escape Plan/ Coliseum/ Robotosaurus
Live On Light Square
Thursday 15 May


The previous two visits that The Dillinger Escape Plan have made to Australia were met with quite small crowds, sadly, but this was not the case tonight - even with the rather high ticket prices, the attendance was quite impressive and diverse. It's amazing how many different types of fans can unite to see one act, whether they be or a teenager wearing a Parkway Drive sweatshirt or a more mature fan wearing a Faith No More t-shirt, their differences had been settled by the simplicity of music.

Local act Robotosaurus opened tonight and completed the task very well. Performing tracks off both their EPs: 'Sayra Bahk Volume 1' and 'Sayra Bahk Volume 2', the set was unfortunately over a bit too soon for my liking. The band is explosive on stage with every member losing all control (especially the front man who spent most of the set time off the stage and climbing on the barrier screaming his lungs out). With a very Converge/ Botch /Daughters inspired version of metal/ hardcore it's incredible that this band is still yet to blow up all over Australia. With a lot of upcoming tours however, this may soon change.

Probably the odd band out for the evening was Kentucky-based trio Coliseum. Playing a more simple (comparatively) version of punk/ hardcore with a slight hinting of southern rock, the three-piece trotted through their performance very professionally. Although their position on this tour was a tough one, the band did hold their own with their live set and the intensity which drummer Chris Maggio presents is astonishing, spending most of his time standing up during songs and then having to walk it off afterwards. However, after a degrading speech toward Americans and guns, guitarist/ vocalist Ryan Patterson showed his true colours as a perfect gentleman. His speech of sincere appreciation towards the audience tonight was in actuality quite touching, and it capped off the performance beautifully.

I have been fortunate in my life when it comes to seeing live music, I have had the privilege of seeing Bob Dylan live twice, I have seen Eric Clapton play the guitar like it was part of his own body, I even saw Rage Against The Machine at Big Day Out. But I have never ever been so impressed with a band as with The Dillinger Escape Plan.

There was literally no time to blink because you would have missed something astonishing with this set. Guitarist Ben Weinman used his instrument like an axe during the whole performance, and he used that axe more like a dance partner. His energy is unbelievable, and even more astounding given the intricacy and precision which Dillinger's songs require, but Wienman could probably do it with one arm. Greg Puciato's vocals were outstanding and impossibly heavier than the recorded versions. As a front man he is ballistic, and a highlight of this was him climbing up and dangling from a lighting rig, while punching away security.

The set was mostly focused on 2004's 'Miss Machine' album with a couple taken from the very recent 'Ire Works' and one from 'Calculating Infinity'. It was disappointing that the smoke machines were blaring away all night because it reduced the visibility of the band, more specifically Gil Sharone and his incredible drumming abilities. But after I had wiped away all the drool from my face, the crowd and I knew that we had witnessed something very special. Comeback soon please, Dillinger Escape Plan.

Will Oakeshott