Volumes - Gig Review & Photo Gallery 11th October @ The Basement, Canberra ACT
Volumes
The Basement, Canberra ACT
October 11th 2023
Supports: Gravemind, Hostel, Artifact, and A World In Colour
Far too many tours were casualties of COVID-19. However, LA rockers Volumes were determined to show Australia just how much they’ve perfected their craft, and they’ve finally hit our shores for their rescheduled outing. I got to check out the Canberra stop of the tour, featuring Melbourne metallers Gravemind, Wagga act Artifact, and locals in Hostel and A World In Color. Would Canberra show up for five bands on a Wednesday night? Read on to find out.
Local metalcore band A World In Colour opened the evening. Their brand new guitarist kept up with the rest of the band as they played through their debut release 'Descent', and a cover of Architects' 'These Colours Don’t Run'. While A World in Colour weren’t breaking new ground in the genre, they were an enjoyable first band of the evening.
Wagga metalcore band Artifact continued to make strong impressions at The Basement by playing through their most recent EP Insurrections. Their dual vocals courtesy of Michael Veneris and Bec Horseman enhanced their unique sound and solidified consistency as one of their strong suits.
Local deathcore group Hostel were up next to turn up the heavy. Repeating chunky riffs were welcome alongside an energetic drum performance. Hostel were fast-paced and straight to the point as they played through familiar favourites and tracks from their upcoming record.
Gravemind powered through an awesome setlist, containing two unreleased songs off their upcoming record as well as long-time favourites such as 'Deathtouch' and 'Phantom Pain'. The crowd was very reluctant to move throughout the evening, however, Gravemind were able to coax out one solid circle pit from the locals. Their captivating presence on stage and tight musicianship is always something to behold.
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The main event of the evening did not disappoint, although I wonder if the bands felt the same about Canberra. Volumes have a huge fan base, and it was fantastic to see die-hard fans rocking out and having the time of their lives. Apart from those fans though, the audience just needed to wake up. It doesn't matter that it's a Wednesday night, you get to see five bands one of which have travelled all the way from LA to perform on our shores for the first time in nine years. Move around at least a little bit!
Despite this, Volumes put on a fantastic show full of bangers from their most recent 2021 record Happier? mixed up alongside faves throughout their discography. The dynamic displayed by vocalists Myke Terry and Michael Barr was chaotic but masterful. They both had a command of their space on stage and constantly utilised it without clashing with each other. Singalongs such as 'Happier?', and djenty breakdown infused tracks such as 'holywater' kept the set exciting throughout. The final breakdowns of the evening courtesy of 'Wormholes' was passionately executed to the delight of everyone present, providing a satisfying conclusion to the show.
The audience may not have shown up, but the bands gave it their all and I'm happy to say I'm a fan of Volumes now. Their exemplary performance despite the lack of crowd participation demonstrated their professionalism and commitment to their craft in the face of adversity all while pleasing long-time fans and gaining new ones. Hopefully, their return to Australia isn't as long of a wait!
Setlist:
FBX
The Mixture
holywater
Weighted
Edge of the Earth
Erased
91367
Void
Feels Good
Happier?
Bend
Malevolent
Wormholes
Review by Tyler Lubke.
Photo Gallery by Tyler Lubke. Insta: @huntsman421
Please credit Wall of Sound and Tyler Lubke if you repost photos.
A World In Colour
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Artifact
Hostel
Gravemind
Volumes
