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Taint, Manatees, Dead Existence, Astrohenge @ Purple Turtle, London |
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Taint
Manatees
Dead Existence
Astrohenge
@
Purple Turtle, London
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Slaughterhouse promotions provide a reputable north London slot for touring bands that are usually well outside the metal mainstream, and Taint and junior touring partners Manatees are a pair of sludge-flavoured , post-hardcore/metal bands that fit the profile perfectly.
Tonight they are joined by genre-trashing Astohenge and doomy sludgers Dead Existence for a tightly-scheduled weekday evening line-up and, happily, none of the supporting bands are shrinking newbies. ‘Henge invade the audience space with an eclectic array of vocal-less tunes, whose only unifying characteristic is a clear homage to mind altering recreational substances. Good or bad, the intensity is undeniable. Dead Existence are one of a clutch of UK underground sludge and grindcore acts currently giving grounds for optimism about the continued health and evolution of the UK scene. Time restrictions make it hard for them to really get the Purple Turtle warmed up, although their performance is competent and the reception appreciative.
It falls to Manatees to get everyone out of ‘work tomorrow’ mode and into a seriously fit state to party. Their modest, unassuming onstage demeanour is somehow appropriate to their wailing, metalcore tunes, which are studied and sensitive one moment, wild and stoned the next. Taint arrive in front of a receptive crowd and, over the course of their unhurried and confident set, give everyone a taste of genuine individuality and expression. These guys are astonishingly ‘live’. While their studio work is eminently respectable, the tension and energy they create in front of this audience defies anything that could be captured in a sterile sound room.
Oh, and a final mention has to go to the girl in the crowd who screams like she is being murdered through much of the evening. The effect is powerful and, once or twice, absolutely chilling. Cheers for that, whoever you are! |
Review & Photography by Nick Hooper
Taint
Manatees
Dead Existence
Astrohenge
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Live Reviews 
