Sorted magAZine
Album Reviews
FeaturesAlbum ReviewsConcert ReviewsSingle Reviews
Beats per MinuteSordidDistortedIndustry GuideContact UsArchives

Devin Townsend, Ambassador Theatre, Dublin, 10th December 2001

Superskin came on stage just before eight o'clock and you could count the number of people in the Ambassador on the hand of a blind butcher. This didn't stop them from raging around the stage to their own brand of industrial-tinged, sample-laden noise metal. I really think this is a band with a future and judging by the number of high profile gigs they have played lately, it is only going to be a matter of time before they really start to make a name for themselves. Having a singer that rocks like an epileptic monkey and a drummer that can fire off some serious blitzkreig blast attacks is, of course, going to help.

Godflesh took to the stage, like the veterans they are, to a slowly filling dancefloor. The crowd were very receptive and it was evident that more than a few people had come especially the see the 'Flesh in action. They may have been touring solid across Europe for the past few months, but, for this, the last day of the Devin Townsend tour, they didn't fail to impress and didn't appear one bit road-weary. Atmospheric, but still heavily industrial with a low end bass sound that could knock the GPO, Godflesh screamed, pounded and mauled their way through a storming set, the highlight of which was 'Deaf, Dumb and Blind' from the new album. A great night for the noise-freaks.

On the other hand, you can take the Devin Townsend approach to music, which involves blowing the audience away with an extreme wall of noise. He has gathered a great group of musicians around him and with a wealth of material from various projects to choose from, this set was exactly what those down the front were looking for. 'Detox', 'War' and 'SYL' flew by in bursts of explosive metal, but then there is the other side of Devin where dark atmospherics run riot.

Aside from the music Devin Townsend is a great performer who holds the audience in the palm of his hand with his, "hey, look I'm in a rock band, but can't really understand why" act. He can kick pretty much anyone else who's around these days with his speedy as fuck metal powers. This man deserves respect.

Kenneth McGrath

Forum The Sorted magAZine discussion forum is back, just click on the text above.

What's On
Tired of trawling through event listings, 95% of which you have absolutely no interest in? Try ours, it's guaranteed Crap Free TM

Update List
Enter your email address below and click go