The Guildford rock scene is a fickle thing. Sometimes a potentially great gig turns out to be rubbish, and sometimes gigs that are predicted to be rubbish surprise you by being pretty good. However, I always find the best scenario is when a gig comes along that is predicted by all to be an amazing line up, and then fulfils expectations. Thank goodness then that tonight is one of those blessed nights! The queue down Market Street, the tickets selling out within 15 minutes of doors opening and the excitement on the faces of the audience all speak for themselves. Three of the most popular upcoming bands in the local area, and one extremely promising act combine to make this arguably the most anticipated Plantation Gig of 2006 thus far. So, for those who missed it, let me fill you in!

Opening tonight are Plantation veterans A STRANGER IN MOSCOW, who come onstage to an ethereal intro soundscape from the lead singer’s sampling box. Then ASIM explode into their set; frantic, juddering stop-start rhythms, lead vocals reminiscent of Funeral for a Friend, and Billy Talent-like backing screams all forming part of their trademark sound, complimented by the occasional sample or Trance interlude. Their performance is tight, passionate and heartfelt, and the Café receives their epic and melodic sound well, nodding and singing along as they throw their guitars around, sing their hearts out and play like the world is ending. They move effortlessly from moments of beautiful quiet, with delay-tinged guitar parts tugging at the heartstrings, to heavy guitars and frantic drumming. As closer ‘Where the Angels Scream Your Name’ draws to an end, its clear that ASIM have been sorely missed here at Plantation. I, for one, hope we see them again soon.

OUTCRY COLLECTIVE are set a tricky task of following ASIM’s impressive act, but they certainly give their all. From the word go, their crushingly heavy guitars, solid bass and double kick-laden drum beats combine to form a sound that lends itself to Classic Rock and Old School Metal. And they certainly get an enthusiastic reaction, as the first moshpit of the night forms on the singers left, with one guy even trying his hand at some hardcore moves. Only one thing, for me, stands in the way of this being a class act, and that, unfortunately, is the singer. Admittedly, and to his credit, he is equally committed to the performance as the rest of the band, and indeed doesn’t stand still for the entire set. But the problem is not his enthusiasm, but the singing. Singing, in fact, is a misnomer in this case. So is screaming. There is no melody in his vocals, but nor does he employ a metal growl or a scream. He simply seems to shout the words in an atonal manner. Whether this is intentional, or simply a failed attempt at screaming, I don’t know, but it certainly needs addressing. Also (and this, I must admit, having spoken to the guy before the gig, and assumed him from his accent to be English, confused the life out of me) his accent seems to take on a life of its own for the entire set. At some moments he sounds Irish, at some South African, but for the majority he appears to be speaking in an American accent. This could, of course, be mishearing on my part, but for the lead singer of a Surrey band to adopt a US accent onstage seems a tad pretentious, and, to be honest, completely pointless.

Third, of course, making their triumphant return to Plantation , are the aural juggernaught known as THE COMANCHE CIPHER. From the moment they begin, their vocalist, Woody, becomes a man possessed. Murderous roars, demonic growls and ear splitting screams emanate from his throat as he stalks around the stage, face turning purple, a terrifying glare in his eyes. Equally menacing is the music backing him. Dischordant guitars playing technical riffs in odd timing combine with thunderous drums to create a truly destructive act. Dark, rage inducing, monstrous; this is music to kill to. If ASIM play like the world is ending, CC sound like the world is ending. The stunning performance of these intricate, clever songs leaves the ears ringing, the bones trembling and the heart shaking. Their final song, ‘The Ludovigo Technicality’, sums up the set aptly, with its brutal verses and epic refrain of ‘leave your senses’. Venues of Britain, be prepared; The walls will tremble and the earth will shake. Be prepared; The Comance Cipher are coming.

Headlining are scene veterans MEET ME IN ST LOUIS; hailed by my predecessor as the best band he had ever witnessed in all his time reviewing at the café. And it’s easy to see why tonight. Their intricate, technical and complicated songs are truly unlike anything else around at the moment. The closest comparisons would be At the Drive In and Biffy Clyro. But even those two giants of prog-hardcore sound chilled out in comparison to these guys. As is the custom with such bands, time signature is more or less ignored throughout, and the entire experience is a rollercoaster ride of high guitar parts, manic drum beats, and a cacophony of yelps, barks and shrieks, combined with the occasional bout of singing. Putting it simply;

Originality + Energy in Barrelfuls = MMISL.

Take Care,
Jamie Webster