LIVE REVIEW: Vodun @ The Crofters Rights, Bristol
The Bristol borough of Stokes Croft is well known as the bohemian district of the city; the main road through the area is lined with trendy bars, artisan eating establishments and a good few places to buy all manner of vintage clothing. In the middle of it all lies The Crofters Rights, one of the most beloved small music venues in the local scene. Given its placement and atmosphere, it’s not uncommon to see the odd well-known face within its walls and as such Chris Georgiadis, frontman of the excellent (and local) TURBOWOLF strolling in for VODUN tonight bats no eyelids whatsoever around the room, which is relaxed and chatty as they file into the back room just after doors.
It’s another Bristol-based act opening up tonight in the form of AGE DECAY, who are part doom, part stoner, part sludge, part ambient and all brilliance. They open with Burning Season and time immediately slows down, their heavy, expansive sound floating through the venue with a nonchalance that hides the effort being put in by the five members onstage. The atmospheric Stranger Blood evokes shades of latter day PINK FLOYD crossed with the crushing riffs of CROWBAR and the turn of pace in Paro (The Tide Is In) from gentle, soothing post-metal to thunderous power is really impressive. Closing with a new song that is as yet untitled that gets ever heavier and filthier, AGE DECAY have intrigued and impressed in equal measures; they’ve certainly won a few new people over this evening.
Rating: 8/10
Dressed in tribal paint and with an array of extra instruments on hand, it’s clear from the outset that this isn’t going to be your average show from VODUN which aptly reflects their eclectic output. In this day and age, pigeon-holing a band based on their sound is so common practice that it’s easy to forget there is an alternative: don’t. In the case of VODUN, this is by far the better option, because over the next hour they translate their music inspired by metal, afrobeat, psychedelia and rock into one of the most organic and enthralling performances The Crofters Right has ever witnessed in its history, let alone 2018.
Led from the front by the majesty of Chantal Brown, the trio have an abundance of energy and talent that sees them steamroller through the likes of Elusive Freedom and Time Honoured with ease, leaving no prisoners. The spoken word section by the superb Zel Kaute on drums in the middle of Started From is both poignant and powerful and there isn’t a song on the planet that shows the power of the humble cowbell off more than Bloodstones with its groove and delivery. Oh, and it turns out Chris Georgiadis is there by special appointment, hopping on stage to provide guest vocals for New Doom which he provided on new record Ascend. By the end of the set, a number of audience members have tambourines, guiros and more cowbells, TURBOWOLF guitarist Andy Ghosh has also got involved after having a six-string thrown over him by VODUN’s Linz Hamilton and Zel has set her cymbals on fire; no, really. This isn’t just a gig, it’s a full on spectacle from a band with a future brighter than the flames coming from the drumkit at the back of the stage. As they say in the band’s hometown of London, ‘cor blimey!’
Rating: 9/10
Check out our photo gallery of the night’s action in Bristol from Serena Hill Photography here:
