Novelists – Gig Review 5th November @ Vinnies, Gold Coast QLD

NovelistsVinnies, Gold Coast QLDNovember 5, 2024Supports: Defiant Ground and PRCHRConjuring a storm round Australia on the current Monolith Festival run, French metalcore act Novelists aren’t taking time to see the sights in their hang time on their way down to Melbourne. Instead, the rowdy crowd decided to take Gold Coast by the nuts and get the locals screaming at Vinnies Dive Bar in Southport.Warming up an already extremely humid night, local underground hardcore 4-piece Defiant Ground, stood theirs strongly with a barrage of chugs, blastbeats and untamed vocals. While their sound wasn’t mixed too well (appearing muddy at times) listening through the cracks and feedback, the hectic lads had some fantastic groove-downs and fills that made you wanna throw down with them.

Lined with an array of distorted, gritty, reverby, chorus tones to blow your head off, Kingscliff’s own PRCHR came with an agenda to cause damage. Violent hard rock riffs, every now and again slightly touching on metal influences was enough to get the audience moving; clapping along and waving side to side, PRCHR had everyone wrapped around their fingers. A constant steady stream of groove accompanied by some twangy leads showed a great amount of potential in this up and coming act. My only note is, you have a great voice, don’t be afraid to project it more.For the newer and the OG Novelists fans; this setlist was for everyone. Songs dating back to Matteo Gelsomino’s and Tobias Rische’s age were slung throughout the night, and most recent vocalist Camille Contreras did everything in her power to slay each one of them. Giving a huge swing with her heaviest track with the band thus far, 'Prisoner' kicked off the night with its killer jumpy riffs and funky dance beats; “Ra ta taaa”. The guitar solo during Déjà Vu single 'Terrorist' had people’s eyes so wide I didn’t think they were going to blink again. Camille’s outstanding performance and vocal handling removed any doubt that may have existed among the audience concerning their older catalogue. Keeping that sweet djenty groove going, 'Do you really wanna know?' had hips swaying all the way up to the heavier sections transmorphing them into neck-breaking head bangs.Slowing the moment down to breathe it in for a split second, the atmosphere suspending in time ('5:12AM' to be specific) is gripped in a hypnotic spell of clean, jazzy leads and solos, carried softly with resilient drums and careful, delicate vocals. As gorgeous a tune 'C’est La Vie' is, being one of Camille’s first appearances with Novelists as a feature, it only felt right that she not only reprise her role embedded within the song, but now it was hers as a whole, a truly breathtaking sight. Delayed leads looms through the venue as the fierce 'Lost Cause' chorus washes away any sadness or anguish felt by those around and swirled into a vicious anger ready to be let loose in the breakdown. France's new national metal anthem 'Heretic' was a definitive point in the set. Amping up to a cascade of feral screams originally sung by LANDMVRKS' Flo Salfati; Camille retains a dark composer on stage, absorbed into a character who only delivers the sickest range.Paying homage to the mighty Noir (2017) album, jammy prog single 'A Bitter End' kept the anger rolling enough for it to dissipate like a fine mist with the angelic, reverbed outro. With the cathedral sound in place we were readied for 'Colas', performed with not 2, but 3 guitars. As Flo Durand, Pierre Daniel, and Camille approach the front of the stage, weapons ready, the audience stares in awe, ready to dream awake. One of Okapi’s (2024) latest singles 'Mourning the Dawn' showed us a glimpse into the future of Novelists' latest anticipated album coming with cinematic, soul-searching transitions, and Spiritbox-like breakdowns spiked with Periphery solos.Nearing the end of the set it seemed like these last three tracks were laid out in chronological year order (pleasing for my OCD). Souvenirs' (2015) biggest hit 'Gravity' brought back the brutal one last time before a very vocally unique performance of 'Smoke Signals' was sung solely by Camille without the usual aid of Nico Delestrade. Turns out Nico’s duties for the night went from Bassist/Vocals to Sound Tech for Novelists, as the stage was too small to fit them all on.He did a phenomenal job behind the desk by the way.Okapi front-runner 'Turn It Up' signed the gig off providing one final chance to throwdown and hype up their newer tracks. Gifting us a well-varied setlist of sound and discography, Novelists never cease to put on a 10/10 show and if they’re not on your radar then you’re making a mistake.Best of luck on the Monolith Festival Tour gang!Review by Ed Atlas@YourFavouriteMerchGuy