Band: Your Demise
Support: Trapped Under Ice, Man Overboard, Basement
Venue: Great Hall 2, Cardiff
Date: 06/04/12
Kicking off tonight’s proceedings are Ipswich-based Basement, and they open to a nice big crowd despite being the first band to hit the stage. They’re a little bit static compared to the rest of the high-energy bill and could do with a bit more oomph, but they’ve definitely got potential.
Next up are New Jersey pop-punkers Man Overboard. They inject some much-needed energy into the show and they’re certainly a lot of fun to watch. As far as originality goes, they’re nothing wildly exciting or different to any other pop punk band on the planet, but their set is good and they’re a nice positive injection of fun in an otherwise mainly aggressive type of bill.
As for Trapped Under Ice, they should really have been the headliners tonight. Aggressive Baltimore hardcore is just what Cardiff want, and it’s exactly what they get. The room is packed out, the mosh pits are wild, arms get broken (no, seriously). Trapped Under Ice are well known for delivering on the live front, and there’s a reason why. Their energy and aggression are outstanding and whether you know the songs or not, they’re enthralling. Just try and take your eyes off them for a milisecond. Some hardcore bands are more suited to smaller venues, but TUI look just as good in a bigger venue. Cardiff completely and utterly smashed into smithereens.
Last but not least are headliners Your Demise. Sadly a fair few people leave after Trapped Under Ice’s stellar set meaning the crowd thins out a little. There are a few sound issues at the beginning of the set and the crowd seem to take a little while to really get into it, but after a couple of songs the mosh pits start and the sound issues dissolve and Your Demise are back on form. They have great energy and some fantastic tracks, and there’s no doubt they’re a great live band. It’s hard to know whether Your Demise are big enough to headline venues as big as this one yet, but they’ve still got time and a shedload of potential. The future is bright.
Reviewer: Lais MW
