LIVE REVIEW: Leeched @ Crofters Rights, Bristol

You have undoubtedly heard us go on about LEECHED at Distorted Sound. We think the band are great, and alongside them being our cover stars this month we went out to catch their headline tour in support of their most recent and bludgeoning affair, To Dull The Blades of Your Abuse. With the band bringing more than just their tunes to deliver a brutal performance, the whole tour package was one with all the bands sharing at least one common feature: Loudness. 

GEIST are first up, and they set the pace well despite a few minor set backs in starting their set. The five piece grind through their set with intent, matching MASTODON grooves with CONVERGE energy, and despite the vocalist being drowned out by the band for their entire set, his menacing pacing at the front of the stage is enough to feel the intensity he was likely spitting forth. At least his speech about equality and togetherness was heard loud and clear, before the 4 band members on stage proceed to drown the Crofters Rights in another selection of brutal and fast riffs. Despite the issues, there are few bands that come close to matching LEECHED’s live musical intensity, and as such GEIST serve as the perfect warm up for the trio. 

Rating: 7/10 

Despite not fitting in as neatly with their tour mates, TUSKAR make their name firmly known in Bristol. The two piece heavy stoner group came, saw, and captivated the entire Crofters Rights crowd during their set. Equal parts prog, stoner, metal, and punk, TUSKAR are a unique and effortless collection of musical ideas performed fluidly by two friends clearly on the same wave-length. TUSKAR float from swelling passages to crushing riffs, using dynamics to create a genuinely interesting performance despite the lack of performance frills. This was just a classic case of two friends with quality music delivering a solid performance. There are moments when the band linger on riffs for a smidgen too long, or take a bit too long a route to get to their destination. But for the most part, this is a stellar performance and one that highlights TUSKAR as one of the shining lights in the dark British underground. 

Rating: 8/10 

After all is said and done, LEECHED do arrive and firmly steal the entire show though. Playing their recent album in full, with a light show that proves a lot of impact can be made with strobes and darkness. Bolstered by two touring members, LEECHED feel heavier and bigger than ever. The moment the swinging groove of Hounds Jaw kicks in, it is clear that LEECHED are here for blood, or at least for everyone’s hearing. They are loud, and as such utterly decimating, with the final moments of The Grey Tide, or the breakdown in Earth & Ash, hitting harder than a sledgehammer. 

The drones of Now It Ends combine with floodlights to create an impactful five minutes, and show that LEECHED have put more thought into this tour than anyone could’ve expected. For a band that have been on the scene for just a little over 3 years, LEECHED are making active movements to assert themselves as the premier extreme act in the UK. With the addition of live members, light show, and the balls to just play their most recent material front to back, LEECHED are here to shove their vision down your throat in the best possible way. See this band whilst you can before they grow into an international monster. 

Rating: 9/10