By Jase Walker
Heading up the second hit of the one-two punch of tasty fucking riffs one day after another, it’s Fit For A King supported by AngelMaker. I’m barely over yesterday’s insane August Burns Red show but I’m ways down for more big riffs and angry vocals!
I’m quite enjoying the whole “passing through” shows over summer so far and I am definitely not going to complain about FFAK coming to town to blow my face off but not just that, an interesting choice of support with AngelMaker erring on the side of legitimate unga-bunga riffs.
Nothing quite signals the start of a deathcore band quite like loud as *fuck* rapid fire double bass drumming and disgusting pig squeals. AngelMaker is in session now, it might be a Monday evening and people are probably a bit tired from work but these guys don’t care at all, they’re here to melt faces.
Seriously, whoever is doing sound for these tonight has absolutely nailed it, I often find deathcore acts can be a bit thin and tinny because the bass gets unceremoniously carved out of the mix in favour of keeping things clear but not this time. This seven-piece are ripping it up, laying waste to the stage with immense force that doesn’t let up except for small moments between songs. I’m a little bit surprised that there’s not much movement yet down the front but it shouldn’t be long before something kicks off the way things are going!
I did have my doubts having these as support because they’re a bit of a mismatch but looking around at the crowd puts all that to rest. AngelMaker are killing it and the crowd is absolutely lapping it up, there’s barely anyone in the room that isn’t flinging their head around like their lives depend on it. Finally the few flashes of movement in the front have exploded into a full on pit with people throwing each other about, they’ve properly won this crowd over towards the end of their set, a proper delight to witness.
The style might be a bit different to the main act but people here still respect the riff and AngelMaker has ’em coming in heaps. This is how you do a warm-up for a two band bill. They absolutely crushed it.
The room goes dark and is pierced by a scream of “Netherlands!!” as the riff kicks in and Fit For A King get themselves started. The pit is already kicking off and growing by the second as flashing lights briefly light them up as if watching a slowmo animation. Again whoever’s doing the sound tonight has really got this fixed up right because the low end is bouncing through my chest and shaking my legs and yet everything else is fully crisp and clear!
It’s little wonder the material for tonight’s show is going to lean heavily on the new album, ‘Lonely God‘; I’ve personally no complaints because it’s a solid album and getting to hear those meaty riffs fully fresh and new is a rare treat. The new album has clearly been a hit with the crowd here tonight too considering every song off it gets everyone bouncing around to the point where I don’t think I’ve heard the band even make a peep about wanting a pit. This sort of crowd is the absolute best because everyone understands the assignment and they’re all here to go nuts: it doesn’t matter that it’s a Monday!
Much like the show I was at yesterday, I’m needing to keep myself keenly aware of the pit growing more and more fierce as the set goes on. A lovely crowd is a good one but it’s always good to keep your wits about you to avoid catching an errant foot, hand or pint or in some rare cases all three. The crowd whoops at the announcement of ‘Eyes Roll Back’ and I can feel the sway of the crowd even as far back as the sound desk as the centre of the maelstrom whips around and sends waves through the place.
Every riff cuts through, every single chug is felt throughout my entire body and I’m hanging off every single verse and chorus screamed and sang alike. Fit For A King put on a real captivating performance that demonstrates why they’re one of the most enduring bands in metalcore and still can put out material that always feels fresh. Finishing up with ‘Lonely God’ and ‘Backbreaker’ as the encore, this puts the cherry on top of a second night in a row of incredible metalcore.
I should be so blessed to have these sorts of shows on my doorstep. August is off to a good start and will be a hell of a month!