I thought I knew what I was in for. I thought I was prepared. If only I had the foresight to grab some free ear plugs from behind the bar before the first band I may not be in this state now, ears blistering with tinnitus, mind scrambled from the squall. Or maybe they wouldn’t have helped much anyhow.
On a pleasantly warm Tuesday evening in March, Sumac passed through London in support of their latest album, Love in the Shadow. Easily one of the finest records of last year, I was excited for a night of punishing, dynamically expansive metal from Aaron Turner and his cohort. They are undoubtedly one of the most interesting and forward-thinking bands out there in the realm of heavy music, heavy been the optimum word. As it turns out, there is another band deserving of that recognition.
I had come across Endon about a year ago, having listened to a couple of singles online. They were certainly intriguing but ultimately fell off my radar from there. However, after last night they are firmly scorched into my memory. It was a mesmerising, chaotic sonic assault right from the get-go. Distorted oscillations barraged my senses as they coursed through their set at breakneck speed. A buzzsaw guitar filtered through the squalling noise whilst screeching, pained vocals added to the sense of aural panic they delivered. The drummer was unstoppable with his pummelling rhythms that relentlessly drove the band forward. Endon garner the title of the most extreme band in Tokyo but I’d say they are pushing the envelope of any global scene. It was a brutal set, combining the harsh noise experimentation of the likes of Merzbow and Prurient along with strains of hardcore and black metal. I won’t lie, when their set ended I felt relieved. My ears were desperate for a break. I had to find some ear plugs.
Up next, Baptists took to the stage. The Vancouver-based hardcore outfit delivered what is perhaps the best release of their career last May, with Beacon of Faith. Like Endon, they took no time to settle in, delivering a full-frontal attack of thrashing riffs and classic pounding d-beat. I was initially a bit slow to get into their set, perhaps still reeling from the battering I had just received from Endon. After a few songs though, I was swept up in their powerful energy. Their performance of ‘Capsule’ was a particular highlight, with the slow and sludge-ridden track causing many a sore neck from the bludgeoning groove it delivers. The lead vocalist did well to whip the crowd up into a frenzy, with bodies flying overhead and flailing limbs ever a danger. Positively Raucous, dear Sir.
The high-octane sets of Endon and Baptists paved the way for an entirely different beast. Sumac are a band that can deftly transition from serene, atmospheric space to some of the most crushingly heavy riffs known to human kind. Their use of dynamic invention is unrivalled and displays a deep understanding of how the gravity and weight of music is as much about the quiet in between as it is about unbridled noise. Through their set they build moments of ecstasy from the sustain and release of their megalithic passages of thundering guitars, which eventually crumble into relative calm. Gentle melodic phrases soon follow, dancing across these lasting reverberations. I was enthralled. Whilst their obvious mastery of composition, there was always a sense that they were teetering on the edge, that form could give way to boundless improvisation. It is as if their set is a battle between their lust for chaos and their desire for control. This dichotomy is part of what makes them such great artists and it was such a privilege to witness them perform.
It was devastating. It was beautiful. It was cathartic. Sumac proved their case for their deserved reverence, not just amongst heavy music fans, but also the wider musical community. And with Endon and Baptists at their side, it made for an impressive night of music that is well and truly on the noisier side of the spectrum. Be sure to see them if you can.
Tour dates can be found here: http://www.thrilljockey.com/artists/sumac
Noise Compendium 