Furnaze / Pain Control
11 August 2004
The Purple Turtle, London
This was Rockers Digest`s first trip to a gig at the Purple Turtle, a venue more usually frequented by cyber-goths - if you`ve been to Camden Market, you`ll know the type I mean. Anyway as a venue it works well, with a small but well positioned stage and for a small mid week gig the turnout wasn`t too bad either. There was also access to a raised platform giving a birds eye view of the stage and complete with pole. This is more usually frequented by exhibitionist dancers no doubt and you`ll be relieved to hear Johan and I resisted the temptation to make use of said pole!
Having witnessed an impressive display at the Ruskin Arms, Pain Control were the reason we had come tonight. Fresh from their appearance on this month`s Terrorizer free cd, the band appeared fired for another top draw performance and immediately hit us with the track from that cd, Counter Attack. The song stood out for me on the cd, not only in terms of its superior production, but its Slayer like thrash proved to be one of the more memorable moments and live it made for a strong opener.
Singer and lead guitarist Adrian Carloss is immediately commanding our attention, with his towering frame and doc`s nearly as tall as me, he surveys the crowd with a malicious look in his eye whilst spitting out the lyrics to the likes of Liar, but turns to welcoming frontman between songs.
The bulk of tonight`s set came from debut album Subvert and stand out moments included Pure Aggression with John Rae showing just that to his drum kit and the Fear Factory-like Subvert. As when I had seen them previously, the dry staccato riffing of much of Pain Control`s material brought to mind underground thrash legends Exhorder.
The epic 5:12am provides a good break in the set, with a melodic piano intro backing Carloss` menacing vocal. The singer really puts his all into this song which concludes with intimidating laughter with his arms outstretched.
Closing with their boisterous attack on paedophiles, Child Love, Pain Control once again impressed.
Pain Control Set List:
Counter Attack / Truth / …Of Purity / Liar / Pure Aggression / Where My World Falls / 5:12am / Subvert / Master Of The Sands / Origins / Child Love
Having been unaware that any other bands were appearing tonight it was a pleasure to be confronted by the thrashing of headline act Furnaze. Having done a bit of research after the gig, I learned that this London based four piece consist of members from Germany, Italy, Austria and Australia.
The band is centred on Olivier Vermeersch, who as well as writing the songs provides lead vocals and guitars. After short instrumental intro Back To The Battlefield, Vermeersch is immediately asking the crowd if we`re ready with the passion as if he was playing a sold out Wembley rather than Wednesday night at The Purple Turtle. With bald head and beard he`s a feisty one alright!
Vermeersch sings in a raspy style not unlike Udo Dirkschneider of Accept, but the churning riffs of the likes of Marching Through Hell had me remembering thrashers Forbidden. Life In Vein similarly had that Bay Area feel and also bordered on a Scandinavian sound and, at times, musically, Sinergy would perhaps be another reference point.
Vermeersch is flanked by two ladies, Federica Gialanze providing tight rhythm guitar, whilst bassist Andie Cayne is introduced proudly by Vermeersch as his wife and even more proudly as having the biggest tits in metal!
Backing this up is drummer Felix Lighter, who curiously for a drummer in a thrash band, holds his sticks in a jazz style. This perhaps gives away he provides session work for other types of music and his solid playing showed why he would be in demand.
Furnaze, like Pain Control are certainly worthy of your attention.
Furnaze Set List:
Back To The Battlefield / Rise / Marching Through Hell / Suicide Crime / Life In Vein / Ignorance / World Of Lies / Guinea Pig / No Stairway To Heaven / Rage
LINKS:
Furnaze
Pain Control
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