RockSound Presented
MATTER
with
JOHNNY TURANT

Saturday 1st June, 2002

The Old Angel, Nottingham, ENGLAND.

Jeez, that was fucking loud!! Here we are three days after the gig, typing up this review and we're still hearing the ringing sound in our ears!!  "What's that? Oh, half past nine!  Oi, I heard that!  Pardon?" A combination of a small venue, a meagre crowd, volume switched to 11 and of course some of the best and most brutal metal you're likely to sample anywhere. Awesome.

Johnny Truant have been much talked about here at Downtuned from way back in their Severance days and the legendary Insecta Evolution EP, but this was our first live experience and were simply blown away by their brutal mix of intricately destructive, death-tinged noisecore. The power and energy contained in this live performance was glorious, particularly considering the turnout. The set included a couple of the songs from the EP and a good representation of the new material from the upcoming album, the result was elation at seeing an entertaining show but agony at the wait to get the album. The Repercussions Of A Badly Planned Suicide should be available on Undergroove this September, but that's like 3-4 months away… AHHHHH!! This is one of those bands you just have to listen to and enjoy the experience on your journey through rock music, to miss them would be your loss. Our thanks go to Paul, James, Stuart and of course Olly who were all legends.

Then our attention turned to the mighty Matter. Last seen back in Aug 2000 by this scribe, they have come along hugely since those early days and have grown both in confidence and experience. Tonight, we were treated not just to some immensely brutal and eardrum bending metal that just exuded depravity, but fine interspersions of stand-up comedy in between songs (and sometimes even during!). Messrs Dom and Jim Legend provided the humour that an occasion such as this required, indeed needed for it to become… well for it to become a legendary evening.  Thanks also to Gav and Jamie Legend for concentrating on being brutal.

Well it turned out a night not to be missed. I am so glad I didn't stay downstairs in the bar and spend another night listening to Iron Monkey on repeat, it was well worth risking the incredibly long and hazardous journey up the stairs to watch those lunatics entertain. And what a marvellous, delightful, some may say even ambrosial nights entertainment it was, one that will stay with us for quite sometime (it's gonna take serious help just to sleep again).   Now just who the fuck was Mr Clutch?

Rigsby.

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