The Zoo, Brisbane
Sunday May 27, 2018 :
Even though it’s a school night, it’s still a bummer to see the paltry crowd who have come out to see industrial metal titans Pain. If this bothers tonight’s headliners, they certainly don’t show it, performing an energetic and powerful set with all the showmanship of an arena concert.
Prior to their arrival, we have two support bands to enjoy, both of whom are very different but also complementary to the recurring theme of the evening, namely the blending of heavy metal and electronic elements.
That’s about where the similarities end, however. The first cab off the rank is Brisbane band Darkcell, who combine shock rock showmanship with riffs, bellowing lead vocals and electronic tinges that evoke not only ‘90s industrial sounds a la Nine Inch Nails, but also the gothic and darkwave influences of Gary Numan and The Cure. When they throw all this in the blender, what they ultimately serve up is no-frills, good-time rock & roll, buoyed by the charismatic and self-deprecating humour of frontman Jesse Dracman.
Another act to combine icy synths with metal is Melbourne outfit Witchgrinder, though like Darkcell, the electronic elements are there to simply add texture and atmosphere to the music, which is still dominated by a vocal/guitar/bass/drum-oriented approach. Unlike Darkcell, however, the main vibe this reviewer gets from their music is ‘80s-style thrash metal. With the songs rattling along at a breakneck pace, it’s a bit like Ministry and Kreator getting into a fight and tying. Despite a few technical hiccups, it’s another great set, so Pain have their work cut out from them.
For those unfamiliar, Pain is the musical project of Peter Tägtgren, who is also leader of Swedish death metal veterans Hypocrisy. On Pain’s recorded output, Tägtgren is something of a one-man band, but he is accompanied by three touring musicians, who add guitar, bass and drums while our hero provides lead vocals and his own six-string work. And, yep, that’s his son Sebastian behind the drumkit.
It’s weirdly fitting that the band chooses Billy Idol’s ‘Rebel Yell’ as their intro music, because the song’s technoid hard rock isn’t a million miles away from the band’s own sound. Right out of the gate, this band delivers punchy opening song ‘Dancing With The Dead’, complete with some neat three-part vocal harmonies. They might be playing to a very small crowd, but this does not dampen their enthusiasm at all. Encouraging everyone present to clap and sing along, the band clearly realises that what this audience lacks in numbers, they make up for in appreciation of all things Pain.
The industrial and new wave electronic sounds are present here as well, but Pain’s synth arrangements can also be bombastic and symphonic when need be. The songs are heavy yet danceable, enhanced by Tägtgren’s effortless charisma and a surprisingly evocative light show.
Knowing people love a good finale, they even provide us with a “big ending” encore that culminates in the band’s barnstorming cover of The Beatles’ ‘Eleanor Rigby’ and their signature tune ‘Shut Your Mouth’, possibly one of the sleekest dance-metal tunes in existence. There are some more contemplative moments, such as the smart power ballad ‘Coming Home’, but it’s the insistent hi-tech metal of ‘On And On’ that most characterises the evening.
Capping off their Australian tour with style, Pain are well worth the wait. Tägtgren’s been making music with this project for over 20 years now. On evidence of this powerful show, he’s probably got another 20 in him.
Reviewer : Matt Thrower
Photographer: Davey Rintala
PAIN
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WITCHGRINDER
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DARKCELL
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