Recommended Aussie Tunes:Psycroptic | The new single "A Fragile Existence" | Listen

Live Reviews : Atreyu + supports @ Corner Hotel, Melbourne 23/10/2016

By on October 24, 2016

Words: Bailey Graham

Photos: Luke Doddrell

(Click here to view the full gallery)

A decade has passed since Californian hardcore legends Atreyu had given Australian fans a headline show, and lucky Melbourne would be given the honour of hosting such an event. Currently supporting Bullet for My Valentine throughout their Australian dates, Atreyu’s one-off headline show was to commemorate the ten-year anniversary of their release A Death-Grip on Yesterday, and along for the ride were fellow Bullet for My Valentine support act Cane Hill and local legends Belle Haven, Jack the Stripper & Dregg.

Dregg’s unique hip-hop/hardcore crossover sound gave the slowly growing crowd a show that was truly something to behold. Despite their rather short twenty-minute set, Dregg owned the stage and gave the crowd a well-performed selection of groove-inspired hardcore tracks that left their mark on the audience. Fans were also treated to a killer cover of System of a Down’s ‘Sugar’, to add a final note to their impactful twenty minutes.

Melbourne’s math-metal veteran Jack the Stripper made their presence known within the first minute of their set. It was tonight where we see front man Luke Frizon make his final bout with his bandmates, as it was set to be his last. Frizon’s enthusiasm and general psychotic behaviour made for an incredible spectacle, with his desire to bust his head open with the microphone and throw his blood-covered body into the mosh pit being one of the most intense things I’ve ever seen at a live show. The crowd were enthralled by the band’s tight proficiency and general unpredictability, and so was I.

The final local band to hit the stage, Belle Haven amassed a gathering of loyal, dedicated fans towards the front of the stage for what was to be twenty-five minutes of pure enthusiasm. Despite several occasions where the vocals of David Vernon struggled to be overheard over the other instruments, the level of passion within Belle Haven’s personnel and their loyal fans showed me that this band is one with immense promise and potential.

As the curtains of the main stage open, there stands New Orleans’ own nu-metal heroes Cane Hill. Their unhinged, raw assault of the senses ensured that no one was left standing still. Vocalist Elijah Witts orchestrated the venue into completely carnage with an ever-growing pit of moshers forming before the band’s eyes, it was apparently they were doing something right. For Cane Hill, this may have been their first tour of Australia, but from the reception they received on the night, I can almost guarantee you that they’ll be back, and you can bet I’ll be there.

The promise had been kept, and fans could not have been happier. As Atreyu made their way onto the stage, ‘Creature’ opened the night for what was to be forty-five minutes of A Death-Grip on Yesterday in full. From the raw power of ‘Shameful’ to the long awaited ‘Ex’s and Oh’s’, Atreyu had the audience in the palms of their hands, as their near flawless sound laid waste to the hundreds of devout followers in the pit below. What could not be ignored was the level of vocal proficiency of front man Alex Varkatzas and drummer Brandon Saller, who seemed to be pitch perfect the entire night. The high-octane energy levels of the entire band only sought to drive the crowd into a bigger frenzy than what was already happening, and being on the front barrier the entire night, I could literally feel the passion from every single person that night.

After their performance of the album in full, Atreyu turned their attention to some of the more well-known tracks, and even some rarities. Fan favourites ‘Becoming the Bull’ and ‘Blow’ were obvious highlights of many people in the venue, whilst die-hards frothed over ‘Two Become One’ and their always-entertaining cover of Bon Jovi’s ‘You Give Love a Bad Name’. Closing their set with ‘Lip Gloss and Black’, Atreyu had left a mark on Melbourne that is sure to remain for many years to come.

It’s not often that the support act for a major touring band has such a following on their own to garner their own headline sideshow, but for a band like Atreyu to give fans the headline show they’ve been craving, is nothing short of incredible and noble. Local legends Dregg, Jack the Stripper & Belle Haven may have walked away with a legion of new fans thanks to their sublime performances. For Cane Hill, first impressions are everything, and what an impression they made, it goes without saying that Melbourne will be counting down the days for the Louisiana boys to return. As for Atreyu, I would only be repeating what has been said when I say that they Melbourne an arse-kicking that we will all struggle to recover from in the morning. There was much expectation in the way of knowing how the night’s proceedings were going to unfold for Atreyu, seeing as it was their first Australian headline show in ten years, but every hint of doubt was extinguished and replaced with a sublime performance that could only be described as europhic by those who enveloped themselves in the music.