LIVE REVIEW: Lagerstein @ Rebellion Manchester
Any conversation about the incredibly niche and extremely popular genre of ‘pirate metal’ consistently brings forward the usual suspects of the genre: ALESTORM, THE DREAD CREW OF ODDWOOD, SWASHBUCKLE. However, no conversation about the genre is complete without the inclusion of one of the genre’s biggest names – a band of beer-drenched, rowdy, Aussies known as LAGERSTEIN. Wherever the LAGERSTEIN ship comes in to harbour a huge party is not far behind, and tonight the ship docked in Manchester bringing with it all the alcohol-fuelled debauchery you’d expect from a boisterous crew of pirates.
Setting the night in motion was the culinary delight that is THRASHATOUILLE. Dressed head to toe in chef’s whites, the band play a comedic brand of metal with the underlying theme being (you guessed it) food. With songs such as Shepherds Pie Squared, a heartfelt ode to the wide range of pork products dubbed Pulled Apart by Pork, and Chilli Con Carnage, a song inspired by “eating something so spicy that you shit lava”. It would be easy to simply dismiss THRASHATOUILLE as just another comedy-centric band with little to no artistic merit, but to do so would be a gross underestimation of what the band are actually capable of. Take away the comedic themes and the stage costumes and what you’re left with is some of the best metal you’ll ever wish to hear. Guttural screams, lively drums, and complex, interesting riffs give THRASHATOUILLE a sound that could easily compete with the big dogs, but by taking a more tongue-in-cheek approach, the band are carving out a space for themselves that set them apart from the majority of the scene. Their set was an excellent example of everything done right: bursting with energy, excellent original tracks, and a healthy dose of humour made for an outstanding start to the evening.
Rating: 8/10
Next up were staples of the local death metal scene IMPAVIDUS. With band name being the Latin for fearless, the band gave a performance that was just that. The start of the set was akin to a being at ground zero of an atomic bomb. The band exploded onto the stage and instantly took control of the room, making all eyes fixate on the stage. Despite having just two EPs under their belt, IMPAVIDUS had the immediate presence of a headline act, making the room bend to their every whim from start to finish. Vocalist Michelle Adamson gave a striking performance that would make even the most accomplished death metal vocalist question their own abilities. Showcasing immense vocal chops that spanned brutal screams and haunting cleans, Michelle formed the tip of the band’s spearhead that pierced straight through the packed room. The overt quality of the music the band play and the tact with which they play it makes witnessing the band’s live set come with the immediate realisation that what you’re seeing is something special. While the band are unsigned at the moment, going off this performance and the quality of their EPs, expect this to change very soon.
Rating: 8/10
Rounding off the local trio of support acts were comedy metal act FOOTPRINTS IN THE CUSTARD. Having just released their jam-packed new album A New Low back in June, the band blasted through a set filled to the brim with their fantastic new material, raising the room’s spirits further as the drinks kept flowing. If you’re an avid user of the internet you may have noticed that the gig falls on a very special date (20/09/19) and in order to recognise this occasion, the band dedicated their song Space Force to the planned Area 51 raid that was taking place on the same day. The band’s whole set can be summed up in one word: fun. Everything about their set radiated positive energy: from the humorous messages behind the songs to the band’s lively presence on stage, it was literally impossible for anyone to resist joining in the merriment. By the time the band played two of their most popular new tracks, The Horn and Don’t be a C**t, the atmosphere in the room was glowing with infectious jollity. People in full pirate attire were batting giant inflatables around the room, drinks were being spilled as their owners were swaying with wide grins on their faces, everything about the Friday night atmosphere was primed perfectly for a main act like LAGERSTEIN. FOOTPRINTS IN THE CUSTARD did a tremendous job of taking the atmosphere up another notch and turning the room into a festive, joyous rabble. If you’re ever looking for a gig that guarantees boundless fun you need look no further than a FOOTPRINTS IN THE CUSTARD show.
Rating: 8/10
With the atmosphere in the room at a ten and the venue absolutely packed to the brim, it was time for LAGERSTEIN to take to the stage. With their latest album 25/7 released only a month ago, the band were ready to bring their new material (and their beloved favourites) to audiences around the world.
Opening their set with old favourites Raise your Steins and Slocken the Rum, the band instinctively knew what the rowdy audience wanted to hear: something they knew enough to sing along to. Most bands would have opened with material off their latest album, but given LAGERSTEIN‘s experience and knowledge of their fanbase, they already knew the golden rule: drunk people want to hear the songs they love straight away. During the band’s opening two songs, the positive atmosphere seemed to keep on surpassing what was previously thought to be the limit – a true testament to just how good their live show is.
The removal of vocalist Cptn. Gregarggh‘s boot and subsequent shoey marked the arrival of one of the band’s latest songs Shoey Song. LAGERSTEIN are one of the few bands that when playing their new material, it is immediately loved as much as the songs everyone is familiar with. That is part of what makes them great. With each album and each show, you know exactly what to expect. You know it’s going to be incredibly fun. You know it’s going to be an alcohol-fuelled night of debauchery – and who doesn’t love the sound of that?
Every LAGERSTEIN show comes with a thick layer of theatrics, both from the band and the audience. The doors of the venue acted as a portal back to a tavern in the golden age of piracy: tricorne hats finished off those donning full pirate attire, alcohol was being downed like water, and the atmosphere was that of a room full of people without a care in the world. Their lively sea shanties sparked the room into a unified chorus as everyone in the room went from strangers to shipmates in an instant.
Whether you’re an avid fan of pirate metal, or you’re looking for a live music experience that you’ll struggle to find anywhere else, you need to add LAGERSTEIN to your ‘must-see’ list. You’ll be hard-pushed to find an atmosphere anything close to the one that they are able to create anywhere else. With a brilliant level of theatrics, infectious stage presence, and a catalogue of songs packed with convivial energy, a LAGERSTEIN show is one of the best times you’ll ever have at a gig, guaranteed.
Rating: 8/10
Check out our photo gallery from the alcohol-fuelled night of debauchery from Jacob Kazara here:
