The early turnout was strong for last Friday's bill at Max Watts, with the Melbourne venue almost at capacity as the first of three bands took the stage.
Although every band had their fans in attendance, the big draw of the night (26 April 26) were undoubtedly Elephant Gym, the Taiwanese math-rockers making their Australian debut.Kicking off the night were Sydney post-rock instrumentalists Meniscus, with their dynamic and fast-paced take on the genre serving as a perfect opener for the bill.
Guitarist Daniel Oreskovic's energy could barely be contained to the stage, as he swung his body back and forth in time with the beat. There were times where Oreskovic's guitar was just frantic noise, his hands sweeping across the strings to make any sound possible, but done in a way that felt at home within each song's composition.
Filling in for bassist Alison Kerjean, Matt Jones (who was also on tech duties later in the night during sleepmakeswaves' set) filled the role well, laying a reliable foundation that kept the songs from going completely off the rails during Oreskovic's far more energetic stage play.
While drummer Alex O'Toole's rapid-fire playing also added to the ferocity, it was with unmistakable precision at all times.
For every moment of frenzied intensity in Meniscus' set, there was equal dedication to creating the calm before the storm as the trio of musicians crafted atmospheric soundscapes and lush textures between each song to build upon.
Marty Wong's live visuals were another highlight of the set, with stunning 3D animations accompanying each song and helping to capture a central theme for each composition. Whether depicting crushing waves dragging the viewer deep underwater, serene interplanetary space travel, or a glitching computer's threatening error screen, each visual sequence felt as fully realised and crafted as the song it accompanied.
Despite Kerjean's absence, the band put on a hell of set that had the almost full house bobbing their heads in approval.
However, there was no mistaking the stars of the night with the buzz in the room immediately picking up as large clusters of fans shuffled from the back to a prime spot ahead of Elephant Gym's set.
The Taiwanese math-rock trio have had nothing short of an inspiring career so far, having formed in 2012 when all three members were on the cusp of their early 20s. Their 2013 debut EP 'Balance' presented their sound already fully-realised, a bouncy and upbeat blend of jazz and funk-fuelled but angular compositions.
Now, four full-length albums later (alongside another EP and an incredible live release on Audiotree), the band have gradually been refining and perfecting that sound further on each release.
Opening with the instrumental 'Games' from 2014's 'Angle', all of the band's elements were on display, with KT Chang's mesmerisingly fast bass playing taking centre stage alongside her brother Tell Chang's jazzy guitar chords and drummer Chia-Chin Tu's energetic beats.
'Witches' showcased the band's expertise over complicated jazz rhythms, constantly pushing and pulling in tempo and energy, while KT sang. Tell occasionally provided his own vocals through the set, 'Ocean In The Night' becoming the ballad moment in an otherwise all energetic and upbeat performance.
All three members had their moment to speak to the crowd, and the occasion of the evening didn't go unnoticed, as each noted how special it was to be performing in Melbourne for the first time.
Tu pointed out it was not only their first time in Australia, but their first time performing in the Southern Hemisphere. After explaining the mandatory military service he and Tu had to serve early on in the band's run, Tell declared: "I am very grateful to be holding a guitar right now, instead of a rifle."
Throughout the set, each of their personalities shone throug with Tu's flamboyant posing between songs and KT's sense of humour stealing the show. At one point when Tu accidentally triggered the incorrect sample (hilariously, an airhorn sound effect), KT pounced on the mistake: "Play that sound again! I like this sound. . . This sound should not be in this song though!"
Even just playing the opening bass lick of 'Finger' received a massive response from the crowd, really demonstrating how long-awaited this debut show had been.
Closing with 'Galaxy', the band proved they were right at home on this bill that otherwise bordered into post-metal territory, with that song's loud and intense climax setting the bar perfectly for the Aussies sleepmakeswaves to follow. The applause continued on for awhile, and Elephant Gym soaked it in while taking pictures with the enamoured crowd.
While no shot at the headline act, it was clear once sleepmakeswaves took the stage the crowd had thinned out quite a bit following the international support.
However, from the very first moments of 'All Hail Skull', the opening track from their new album 'It's Here, But I Have No Names For It', it was clear the audience who'd stuck around were in for a great show.
Kicking off at a blisteringly fast pace amidst a sea of swirling red lights, you'd never guess this was the band's first live performance in two years. Guitarist Otto Wicks-Green led the melody of the song, while Alex Wilson's thunderous bass roared through the Max Watts' PA.
Following with 'Super Realm Park', another brand new number, the band were darting across the stage, visually as active as the song's energetic arrangement of soaring guitars and pummelling drums, the latter care of Tim Adderley.
To close the song, Wilson moved from bass to keyboards for the first of many times throughout the set, adding yet another layer to the band's already rich sonic palette. Wicks-Green would later comment: "It's kind of like first date nerves, playing songs from a new album for the first time."
With that said, the new material felt completely at home alongside old favourites, with 2017's 'Tundra' especially proving to be an early highlight. Bathed in icy blue lighting fitting the song's title, the crowd erupted into whoops and cheers from the intro alone.
After announcing they were about to "take the dust of a real old one", the band launched into the beautiful 'To You They Are Birds, To Me They Are Voices In The Forest', with its marching band-like drums making heads bang throughout the venue.
With a relaxed, candid energy, the band were playful between songs cracking jokes throughout the set. At one stage, when Adderley exchanged a quiet message to Wicks-Green and touring guitarist Lachlan Marks, Wilson jokingly complained: "They do this all the time! What aren't you telling me?"
Finishing with a stunning run of 'The Stars Are Stigmata', the hauntingly beautiful 'This Close Forever' (with an equally gorgeous lighting arrangement), and the high intensity epic 'Pyramids', the band finished triumphant. Their entire stage production operates as a well-oiled machine, and even with the downtime the machine was showing no signs of rust.
Whether it be Meniscus' long overdue return to Melbourne, Sleepmakeswaves' successful album launch and return to the stage after two long years, or the hugely awaited Australian debut for Elephant Gym, this was a night of milestones to celebrate for every band on the bill, and the special feeling in the air did not go unnoticed.
