Beastwars
29th June 2019
Galatos, Auckland, New Zealand.
Review by Mark Derricutt. Photography by Matt Henry Mendonca.
Hell is real.
I’m not talking about a lake of fire ready to burn you for eternity – I’m talking personal hell. Trials, tribulations, mental, chemical, and physical hell. A lot of us have been through something, some of us still are; some are yet to face it, and some have sat by helplessly watching others wishing they could do, or be more – and that itself is its own special hell.
Even now as I write this, I read of an old friend announcing his “impending due date”, an offbeat humour shapes his news as reason to celebrate a life lived and loved, and a life about to be lived fully. It’s all about the attitude.
Breathe long, breathe wise, don’t fall, raise the sword.
Tonight’s show is a continued celebration of overcoming odds, facing things head on and not giving up as Wellington based Beastwars unleash their latest release IV to the world.
Last year saw the return of Beastwars to the stage following frontman Matt Hydes remission of non hodgkin’s lymphoma, and now we’re back with one of the most anticipated releases for NZ this year – an album full of dark, introspective, pained, pleading, and hopeful lyrics.
You can never give in, you can never give up, you can never get away, from your mortal decay.
Opening up Auckland’s album launch show at Galatos – local act Slumbug kicked things off with solid riffs, rolling drum fills and bass that warms up the soul. I’m still not a huge fan of the higher pitch shouted vocals but Slumbug bring a mix of classic/traditional doom, and stoner/sludge vibes crossed with a punkish energy/attitude that combines into a unit that leaves you thoroughly satisfied.
Prior to tonight’s show I knew little about Canberra based Witchskull except for a long list of praise worthy comments on Bandcamp – noting doses of old school Pentagram and Obsessed influences – they weren’t wrong.
The stage is filled with deep riffs, ominous feedback, and a beard that demanded listening to. Adding psychedelic lead/solos to the mix had me sold even before the first song was over – but now it was Beastwars.
Beastwars are a force upon their own – the familiar lumbering chugging riffs, soon followed by the deep raspy throat of Matt Hyde; it’s like only moments have passed since the last outing…and we’re off.. soon the crowd is clapping in a rhythmic supplication as Hydes hands raise high – palms outreached, then clasped.
Worship is in session.
I soon find myself lost to the music, a release from my own problems and thoughts, surrounded by friends and “family”, and for the next hour I’m lifted out of myself and into something beyond.
This is however a two edged sword – nothing specific in the show stood out to me – it was the entire performance full stop – and that… largely leaves me without words; or at least words to convey it all.
The music, sound, light, production, energy – everything about the performance seemed flawless, my ears are not ringing the morning after (despite not wearing ear plugs) – it was, from where I now sit, one of the best gigs I’ve ever seen at Galatos.
Were you there at Galatos for this magnificent metal gig? Or have you seen Beastwars live somewhere else before? Tell us about it in the comments below!
Beastwars Setlist:
- Damm The Sky
- Storms of Mars
- Wolves and Prey
- Tower of Skulls
- Mihi
- Dune
- Lake of Fire
- Witches
- Omens
- The Traveller
- When I’m King
- Rivermen
- Call to the Mountain
- Raise the Sword
Witchskull Setlist:
- Raven
- Temple of Ly’s
- Demon Gate
- The Vast Electric Dark
- World’s Away / Raise The Dead
- Son of the Snake
- Winter
- Harvest the Druid
Slumbug Setlist:
- Build ups
- AFF (angryfishface)
- Selfish Living
- Analtasia
- Phlegm
- Nivniv
- LHS
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