LIVE REVIEW: Heart of a Coward @ Rebellion, Manchester
After their release of Deliverance in 2015, brutish UK-based metalcore crew HEART OF A COWARD took an extended hiatus after the departure of their vocalist, ex-SYLOSIS frontman Jamie Graham.However, 2018 saw them make a comeback with new vocalist Kaan Tasan and their heavy-hitting new single Collapse. Along with this a run of UK shows was announced which was fast to sell out. We caught their Manchester date at the ever-popular Rebellion club to witness of their new form in action, along with support from THIS IS TURIN, LOTUS EATER and FROM SORROW TO SERENITY.
THIS IS TURIN were the first to take the stage, a relatively local band in comparison to the other acts on the tour. After having pounded the touring circuit in the North prodigiously in the last couple of years, their hard work evidently paid off, as they delivered a polished, furious and groovy half-hour set. Frontman Darryl Jones proved to be a formidable stage presence, growling his way through the set with conviction. They still have much to prove to get up to a position of national reputation, but they’ve certainly laid the foundations at this point.
Rating: 7/10
Following closely was a band well-known in the North and especially Manchester at this point, LOTUS EATER. Bringing an interesting brand of dark street culture from the depths of Glasgow and blending it with punishingly low-tuned and guttural hardcore, creates a sound and atmosphere huge enough to stir even the most idle crowd. That being said, their live show at Satan’s Hollow last year left much to be desired, but to their credit some small line-up changes and hard rehearsal have left that behind in the dirt – LOTUS EATER are now a force to be reckoned with. Expect them to demolish crowds and stages with the likes of LOATHE in the months and years to come.
Rating: 8/10
The final featured support for the night were metalcore up-and-comers FROM SORROW TO SERENITY. Some very respectable support slots in the last couple of years and great success with their singles online lead to a well-practised, heavy and riotously fun live show. Many in the audience sang along to the words, and many others moved if they didn’t know the words. Considering one of their roles was to warm the crowd up for HEART OF A COWARD, they did so impeccably. Huge breakdowns and epic choruses made for a seriously exciting performance – hopefully the coming months will see the release of an album.
Rating: 7/10
A little later than expected, the long awaited headliners took to the stage to a huge response from the almost sold-out Rebellion. As the introduction to Hollow faded in, many started bouncing, and as soon as the band came in, from then on it was all out carnage. The band, along with new blood Kaan Tasan, ripped through 55 minutes of HEART OF A COWARD classics, from old hits such as Shade and Nightmare, to a surprisingly well-received Collapse. Their experience shone through in comparison to the support, with incredibly tight poly-rhythms, and perfect timing for their huge drops and breakdowns. Highlights of the set came from an extended breakdown to allow the pitters to show their stripes at the end of Deadweight, and a full-blown stage invasion during the encore of Around A Girl in 80 Days. They may have been off the scene for a couple of years, but HEART OF A COWARD have lost none of their brilliance, and Tasan certainly can fill his predecessor’s boots, with charm and an incredibly powerful vocal performance. One thing is for sure; this is only a taste of what is to come.
Rating: 9/10
Check out our photo gallery of the night’s action in Manchester from Jacob Kazara here:
