Archspire, Auckland NZ, 2018

Archspire

21st August 2018
Whammy! Bar, Auckland, New Zealand.

Review & Photography by Sarah Kidd.

“Stay Tech”.

This was the definitive catchphrase for a Tuesday night in Auckland as Canadian tech death metal band Archspire rolled into town with a set slicker than oil on a rain-soaked road. As the fans poured down the familiar stairs dressed in the community colour of seven shades of black, Wellingtonian band Order of Diptera not only kicked off proceedings but made a rather impressive Auckland debut.

‘Seeking to bridge the gap between modern dissonance focus death metal and technical death metal’ the five-piece known as Order of Diptera certainly had no flies on them tonight as they belted out a set that held the attention of all who were present. Beginning with ‘Lethargy’ it was immediately evident that here was a group of rather proficient musicians; fans of another NZ band by the name of Heavy Metal Ninjas recognising Nag Reid on guitar. But it must be said that it was vocalist Michael Koefman who stole the show; with a stage presence reminiscent of Devin Townsend, Koefman in his rather distinctive woollen monkey beanie is captivatingly animated in his delivery of fast and deep growls with just the right amount of vocal fry on his screams. Recently signed to extreme metal label The Artisan Era, these “purveyors of dissonant technical death metal” are going places … fast. With a set that included ‘Ordo Est Vermibus’ and finished with the exceptional ‘Light and Rot’ (which you can find on The Euphonic Collection, Vol. 1 from the aforementioned label) expect to see a debut album from these lads very soon.

With the evening already well warmed up it was the turn of Organectomy to take it to the next level with their own brand of ‘slamming brutal death metal’. Hailing from Christchurch they soon had the crowd frothing at the mouth and crashing against the edge of the stage. No strangers to the scene, Organectomy originally formed back in 2010, however they only just released their debut album – the impressive Domain of the Wretched – in December last year, proving that good things truly do take time.

Straight out of the gate with ‘Eons of Unyielding’, vocalist Alex Paul was instantly in the face of the punters with guttural vocals delivered with pure pugnacity. Flanking him on either side were Aston Moore and Sam McRobert on guitars that bled ferocious riffs, Tyler Jordan on bass adding to the melee as only a death metal bassist can. ‘Sanctum of Deceit’ spun the dial to eleven with its combination of blast beats and vocals that came straight from the depths of purgatory. An especially nice touch to the set was the soundbite from the movie Alien Resurrection – fans miming Purvis’s final screech of “what’s in fucking side me!?” along with guitarist Ashton Moore. Coming towards the end of the set all hell broke loose as the crowd threw their neck, back and spleen into it; former drummer Jae Hulbert even jumping onto the mic to deliver some devastating vocals. Finishing with ‘Entropic Decay’ Organectomy left the Auckland crowd amped for the headliner. Make sure you catch them live when they support Aborted in Christchurch on September 18th and of course at Symbiotic in Wellington where they will be headlining the Saturday evening on October 20th.

The night is still relatively young in the realms of the death metal world when Archspire take to the stage, but no one is complaining; after two killer local sets the crowd are more than ready to bear their souls and give everything over to their Canadian guests. Formed in 2009 (technically 2007 under the name Defenestrated) Archspire currently have three albums under their name, their latest – Relentless Mutation – released just last year, the focus of much of their set tonight. Taking no prisoners, the five-piece walked out to raucous cheering, vocalist Oliver Aleron visibly pleased by what he heard and proceeding to ask the Auckland punters how they were and were they ready for the onslaught.

Opening with ‘Lucid Collective Somnabulation’ it was clear that this was going to be a fast and precise set, every nuance of each instrument being able to be clearly defined thanks to the local wizard behind the sound desk that is known as Mark Petersound (when fans walk up and shake the man’s hand after a gig – it’s a good indication of a job masterfully done). Framed by a huge Archspire flag, Spencer Prewett on drums wielded his sticks like weapons of war, while Dean Lamb and Tobi Morelli overlaid riffs that made the eyes water. Fingers flying at almost impossible speeds this was technical death metal at its finest. While it is often noted, the speed at which Aleron delivers his vocals can not truly be appreciated until witnessed live. It is almost incomprehensible; but the words pour from his mouth like molten lava burning holes into the stage and pushing the crowd to give him more; the occasional high-pitched screams wreaking havoc. Pointing out that he recently had a tooth knocked out, Aleron showed that his humour very much has a darker side, but that his personality when it comes to the fans is one that is open; Aleron pausing to chat briefly with several devotees in the front row. After a particularly messy pit he even stopped to check on a young female fan who had taken a rather nasty blow to the face.

While the core members of the band are a well-oiled unit thanks to nearly a decade together, relative newcomer bassist Jared Smith proved he is more than worth his weight in gold with his solo work during ‘Human Murmuration’ and his stunning intro to the title track of their third album ‘Relentless Mutation’. Archspire even gave the Auckland crowd – in the words of Aleron – a “rap song”; ‘Calamus Will Animate’ once again leaving fans jaws on the floor as Aleron spat the lyrics out like a nail gun in overdrive.

There would be no encore as such, Aleron preferring to straight out ask the crowd if they wanted one more track, the answer unsurprisingly a resounding yes. Finishing on ‘Remote Tumour Seeker’, Archspire hands down carved their mark into the walls of Whammy. With Relentless Mutation Archspire have stepped up their game not only musically but lyrically; and with already being an outstanding live act you can expect Archspire to continue to rapidly expand their legion of admirers.

Were you there at Whammy! Bar for this superb Tech-Metal gig? Or have you seen Archspire perform live somewhere else before? Tell us about it in the comments below!

Archspire Setlist:

1. Lucid Collective Somnabulation
2. The Mimic Well
3. Human Murmuration
4. Scream Feeding
5. Relentless Mutation
6. Rapid Elemental Dissolve
7. Calamus Will Animate
8. Involuntary Doppelganger
9. Remote Tumour Seeker

Organectomy Setlist:

1. Eons Of Unyielding Darkness
2. Sanctum Of Deceit
3. Intracranial Incubation
4. Beckoning The Horrors Of The Depths
5. Carnal Bloodlust
6. Terror Form
7. Entropic Decay

Order Of Diptera Setlist:

1. Lethargy
2. Ordo Est Vermibus
3. Pale Sun
4. Altars
5. Light And Rot

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