Alpha Wolf curated a smorgasbord of national and international heavy metal acts for CVLT FEST in Brisbane (24 February), with the metalcore magicians headlining.
Our first handpicked musical delicacy is Vilify. Amy McIntosh (vocals), Deni Hourihan (guitar), Kieran Jackson (drums), and Lizi Blanco (bass) – who I recognise from The Beautiful Monument – immediately entrap us with a hypnotic hors d'oeuvres of heavy melodies and infectious rhythms served by mad-ass instrumentalists with layers of lyrical complexity roared at us by McIntosh.Their song 'Light Bringer' intrigues our taste buds while their closing song 'Take The Pill' is a substantial banging appetiser that hits like a tidal wave and deserves more than the rowdy cheers we are giving up for them – they deserve your ass at their next gig!
Vilify - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Number two on the menu is Crave Death, who present a dish that's not for the faint of heart. They punch our palettes full force and keep it going with a spicy set accentuated by the ferocious pipes of Candice Bankovacki (vocals).
Crave Death give us a set that has layers of visceral intensity and a raw, uncompromising approach. I'm vibing elements of death metal and hardcore punk that is a sonic onslaught leaving punters with no room for respite.
This is the first time I have soaked my taste buds with their heavy sonic sounds and like the head-banging punters lapping up their set, this teaser is sure to bring me back for a closer look.
Crave Death - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Diamond Construct, hauling from Taree in New South Wales, are the third entree who quickly show us they can dish it up unrestrained but tight with a frontman who is anything but subdued in his vocal delivery.
Reminiscent of metalcore-meets-djent with a dash of fresh metal modernism, Diamond Construct are an unforgettable concoction giving an upsurge of energy in the room. Grabbing our attention with their recent single 'Jynx', fans are reeling from their flavour of metal.
Their six-song set list is a winner. It has such intricate guitar work and atmospheric textures blending chaos and beauty, into a whirlwind of emotion and energy for the crowd proven to us tonight with their songs 'Hit It Back', 'Enigma', 'Psychosis', 'Switchblade OST' and 'Animus'. This last one is a taste sensation all of its own that leaves us wanting more.
Next are Ten56 (American police code 10-56: intoxicated pedestrian or suicide) from France, storming the stage and claiming it as their own.
Ten56 - image © Clea-marie Thorne
We find ourselves indulging in their dark churn of industrial-tainted metal that is pouring like a molten mass in our ears with 'Diazepam', while Aaron Matts' vocals are simmering one minute and boiling hot the next. This song has the opposite effect on your body compared to why that pharmaceutical drug is usually prescribed.
New depths of flavour are absorbed via songs 'Saiko', 'Yenta', 'Good Morning', 'Traumadoll', 'RLS', 'Ender' and one that is big on bass, 'Boy'. The set is technically precise and emotionally resonant. It's a charcuterie board all of its own, boasting a diversity of heavy-genre-flavoured sensations.
Sadly, their set is ending all too soon with 'Kimo' – another satisfying and addictive morsel. Ten56 gave a surge of extra energy to moshers in the pit and have captivated our senses. The crowd's applause is testimony they leave the stage with a room full of new fans netted with their nine brutal bangers. Meanwhile I am left cupping my ears and licking my lips. Oblivion never sounded or tasted so good!
Paledusk are a heavy favourite in Australia courtesy of their combination of metalcore, industrial, nu-metal and electronic elements. Needless to say, there are many fans here today watching and pandemonium breaks out in the pit as they open with 'Area PD'.
Guitarist Daisuke Ehara gets most of the punter's eyes on him as he energetically roundhouse kicks while deftly playing on his axe. 'Black Ice' is followed by crowd favourite 'Slay!!' that has fans screaming along. 'Happy Talk' and 'Palehell' electrify the energy in the room taking it up a level; that is until Kenta Koie (Crossfaith) bounds onstage to share in their crushing performance of 'Q2'.
Paledusk - image © Clea-marie Thorne
The energy levels up yet again, Paledusk sustaining the momentum with their final song 'Rumble'. Paledusk can never be described as disappointing or dull as they invoke a sense of existential dread and awe at the same time – so totally f...ing lit!
Who's next on the menu? Ocean Grove, who take seconds to pick us up from the intermission lull, dragging us on a sonic journey unlike any other today. A bold fusion of genres has these master metal craftsmen manipulating elements of rock, metal, and electronica.
After a taped intro Ocean Grove start with 'Superstar', creating an aural tapestry for us to relish in, one that is as unpredictable as it is captivating. The set of nine crushing songs also includes 'Ask For The Anthem', 'Neo' and 'Guys From The Gord'.
Sh.t gets crazy with 'Stratosphere Love' that sees another live collaboration as Kaito Nagai of Paledusk joins onstage to help Ocean Grove wreck our necks and throats some more before leaving us gasping with breath after 'Sunny'.
Ocean Grove - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Another heavy Japanese export, Crossfaith are ladling up their own force of metalcore, dubstep and EDM into our ear holes as they explode onstage with 'Deus Ex Machina' as Kenta Koi flies the Crossfaith flag, which the crowd go nuts at the sight.
'Catastrophe' strikes and as night descends outside, we fall for the relentless sounds of Crossfaith that has the moshpit of sweaty punters in a swirl while outliers are intently absorbing their genre-defying prowess in a live setting.
Just imagine Forrest Gump with his box of chocolates with 'Monolith', 'Countdown To Hell', and 'Xeno' the choices. Each track is filled with unexpected ingredients making Crossfaith a decadent surprise that keeps me coming back for more.
One surprise is even a Prodigy cover, 'Omen'. I reckon their diversity will have all the festival's Crossfaith virgins seeking them out for another taste test. Metalcore firebrands from the US, Emmure are coming at us with 'Natural Born Killer' and keep the relentless, unforgiving and unstoppable wall of music going with 'Pigs Ear' and 'Children Of Cybertron'.
Crossfaith - image © Clea-marie Thorne
It is only fitting they include 'Sunday Bacon' for the festival smorgasbord. Frankie Palmeri (vocals) resides in the bowels of hell and the band's beatdowns are just as confrontational to the spirit while their hooks are simply irresistible to our palates.
We are devouring the sonic feast of Emmure, who serve a dish of raw intensity with a steady ferocity that keeps the circle pit churning, heads banging and our mouths wide open in awe.
Just like a prime cut of game meat, Emmure's set is bold and unapologetic that leaves a lasting impression on every consuming punter, especially with their closing cut 'When Keeping It Real Goes Wrong'.
Emmure - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Then like the pièce de résistance of this musical feast, Alpha Wolf the festival curators and headliners – Lochie Keogh (vocals), Sabian Lynch (guitar), John Arnold (bass), Scottie Simpson (guitar) and Mitch Fogarty (drums) – are eagerly awaited by their fans who are chanting for their presence onstage.
Not to disappoint or let the ambience of the room wane, Alpha Wolf arrive to 'Bring Back The Noise' to the crowd with their recently released face-paced banger that has got sh.t stir crazy in the pit. 'Ultra-Violet Violence' keeps the momentum charged as does 'Creep' that is until halfway thought when Keogh calls for crowd surfing!
Have you seen that crashing, unending wave of bunnies spilling over one another? You get it then! Immense interaction with more than 20 bodies before I lost count! There is no lethargy to be seen among the sweat-laden bodies in the pit. These metal troopers are using up every ounce of oomph for this final set.
Alpha Wolf - image © Clea-marie Thorne
'Hotel Underground', 'Sub-Zero' and 'Restricted (R18+)' destroy the moshers, but also keep the charge in the air around them; until 'Rot In Pieces', which is stopped mid-song as Keogh and Lynch disappear from view as they jump down into the barrier. I was told later it was to help out a known punter who came over the barrier get out of the stage pit before things got pumping again.
'Acid Romance' came ahead of another guest spot and we have loved everyone so far during the festival! 'Bleed 4 You' is shared with Blanco of Vilify (and The Beautiful Monument). Alpha Wolf just keep us engaged with their music that is a fierce fusion of aggression and emotion played with a proficiency which has us breathless yet totally exhilarated.
'Sucks 2 Suck' gets its live debut at the Eatons Hill Ballroom stage with a TV prop rolled out onto stage by a blonde wigged 'Wolfie'! Another debut is 'Haunter' from the same album that is yet another unexpected treat for the night. Fans go absolutely wild for it, while familiar favourites '60cm Of Steel' and 'Black Mamba' are next.
I tell ya, if the lads didn't finish with 'Akudama' so we could scream "Watch the bodies drop!" I would have been left in a highly emotional state! So, I am screaming "Thank you!", not just screaming at the loud confetti canons that made me jump as they released their onslaught of shredded paper with the loudest bang!
Alpha Wolf - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Alpha Wolf can relish in the fact the heavy metal concoction they brewed up for the 2024 instalment of CVLT FEST has been a most welcoming, relentless assault on the senses. There has been bone-crushing riffs, thunderous drums and guttural vocals that have plunged us into a maelstrom of aggression and catharsis.
This carefully curated smorgasbord of musical delights has showcased each band's unique flavour for punters to devour and savour. Alpha Wolf has ensured that every discerning palate had something to enjoy on the menu tonight.
More photos from the festival.
