Pallbearer, Auckland New Zealand, 2017

Pallbearer

8th July 2017
Whammy! Bar, Auckland, New Zealand.

Review by Sarah Kidd. Photography by Matt Henry Mendonca.

Whammy Bar tonight is filled with a sea of black, impressive battle vests riding high on the tide. There has been much anticipation for tonight’s show and punters are dressed to impress. Two local acts are on the bill tonight with the Auckland three piece Reaving up first. Unfortunately I missed their set – however these guys fully embody the stoner/doom metal vibe and I highly recommend you check them out through the usual platforms.

Next up are Arc of Ascent – another three piece this time hailing from Hamilton; drummer Mark McGready’s Sticky Filth tshirt receiving many a nod of approval from those down the front (although guitarist Matt Cole-Baker’s awesome Taxi Driver tshirt is certainly eye catching too). Kicking off their set with ‘Set The Planets Free’ it is obvious that vocalist and bass player Craig Williamson is the main influence behind this act. Vocals on point, the song is bass driven with almost funk style undertones. ‘Eye of Sages’ feels strangely appropriate this evening, taking us all on a journey through the astral plains as outside a large full moon hangs low over the darkened streets of Auckland. Their set is mainly made up of tracks from their latest album Realms of the Metaphysical released in April of this year, however one older track makes the cut tonight, that being the epic ‘Godhead’ from their 2010 offering Circle of the Sun; the faster tempo and heavier rock vibes of the song generating a strong line of head banging in the front row.

Personal favourite tonight had to be ‘Benediction Moon’; Williamson his guitar held almost upright, fingers working the neck with such fluidity that they are a joy to behold; the song having a wicked old school Sabbath feel to it. Closing with ‘Into The Light’ featuring a fantastic Middle Eastern tinged psychedelic guitar solo in the breakdown and Arc of Ascent certainly left their mark on the audience and were well deserving of the hearty applause they received.

By now Whammy Bar is comfortably full; familiar faces acknowledging each other as all waited for Pallbearer to take the stage. One by one each of the members made an appearance checking their equipment before once again disappearing behind the curtain. Finally the lights dimmed and the house music ceased, the fans roaring as Pallbearer took up their positions and hit us squarely in the chest with their opener of the evening ‘Thorns’ from their hugely impressive new album Heartless. Hailing from Arkansas, Pallbearer has done nothing but move from strength to strength since their first album Sorrow and Extinction released in 2012. Their continued growth was recently acknowledged by Metal Hammer who just this year awarded them with the Golden God Award for ‘Best Underground Band’. As lead vocalist Brett Campbell howls the final line of Thorns “And can we ever find our way back home” he raises his clenched fist high in the air – a simple gesture but one that instantly seems to bond all who are present together.

The theme of home is one that features strongly throughout the album Heartless, Campbell explaining in a recent interview that while it takes on different connotations throughout many of their songs, it is a theme that resonates deeply with him due to his connection with his hometown of Little Rock where he grew up and where the band returned to record their latest (self-produced) album. “How you all doing tonight?” Campbell asks the audience with a grin, before the band launches into their second track ‘The Ghost I Used To Be’ the intro to which is so emotive that you cannot help but be swept up and away before Holt and Campbell’s guitars pull you back in. As Campbell introduces their third track of the evening ‘Fear And Fury’ an audience member calls for the band to “play something fast”, Campbell smiling back as he tells him “You’re at the wrong show man”. One thing that is truly notable tonight is the connection that the four piece make with the audience. The front line of guitars made up of Campbell, Holt and the wildly impressive Joe Rowland on bass who has enough stage presence for at least three bands, emanates a sense of belonging, the audience picking up on it almost immediately. Combined with the intimate settings of the venue it makes for an almost ethereal experience.

Campbells vocals are powerful covering the full range as he sings from the heart; eyes closed he is a part of the music, any imperfections immediately forgiven. As we make our way through the set it is noted that we are being treated to a mix of tracks both old and new – a fact that Campbell later points out in the set “Somehow we are playing all our old shit tonight, we’ve never been here before so…” he smiles with a sideways nod of the head. Certainly no one in the audience is complaining, all in attendance grateful to just be witnessing this epic band live.

Conversation was kept to a minimum Pallbearer preferring to let their music communicate for them – songs such as the larger-than-life ‘Worlds Apart’ doing just that. I should make note here too of the astounding backing vocals that Rowland often provides throughout the night, ranging from melodic exquisiteness to punchy deep growls on songs such as ‘Devoid of Redemption’. Pallbearer close their set tonight with ‘Foreigner’ but not before thanking all in attendance stating that it has been “an honour”; Campbell taking the time to shake hands with many in the front row, a testament to their humble nature.

If you ever have the chance this is one band that you need to see live; the emotion of their albums amplified tenfold in a live setting. 10/10.

Pallbearer:

Arc of Ascent:

Reaving:

Were you there at Whammy! for this heavy doom metal happening? Or have you seen Pallbearer perform live somewhere else before? Tell us about it in the comments below!