Gig review: Terrorential, Scholar Of Sin and Dead Creation at MoshPit, Erskineville

Try saying that three times fast!  Rain? what rain? No-one hears the rain when metal is playing – nor could it dampen the excitement of a small yet enthusiastic crowd .

While I’d seen countless photos of many gigs at MoshPit, it was my first time there .

Who would have thought you could cram a shitload of music memorabilia along a shoebox wall? Black brick, low lighting seats patched with duct tape … surely there no mistake. I was in a Sydney suburban venue eager for a dose of live music.

It’s an awkward venue with limited space, reminiscent of the old saying ‘no room to swing a cat’. Yet it works … mostly because the staff never stopped working throughout the night. They made sure everyone was comfortable. I’m not sure about other genres of music but the MoshPit hosting metal fitted perfectly. The – dare I say – dark and sleazy atmosphere made me feel as if I was watching a band emerging from ashes to become a name slap-bang tattooed on my forehead.

The night began with Dead Creation.

A three piece, they did come across relatively fresh and inexperienced for a live performance. I was hoping for heavier vocals; at times it wasn’t strong enough for me. They looked frozen most of the set, as if frightened any form of movement would be considered un-metal-worthy. This quickly had me bored.

They did warm up further into their set when they realised their audience was enjoying them.

Dead Creation became more and more … well … um … ALIVE! Sparking a sudden surge, all three members suddenly held their own. But there were too many cover songs. I couldn’t help but wonder if they were a metal band or a metal cover band!

My advice: Dead Creation need to have faith in their own ability as original artists. Leave the covers for the jam room. The word around from the punters was they really liked the band. A as a band it’s better to be liked for being original.

I’m sure Dead Creation are on their way around the circuit and will continue to make a name for themselves. I would also like to commend them for staying all night to support the other bands. This, for me, shows great respect ….

Second on – the middle band, you could say – were Scholar Of Sin.

Dare I say, they were my favourite of the night. Honestly I can say: fuck me, I didn’t expect that.

They had the heavy sound I like and a stage performance that was well rehearsed, yet not in that arrogant rock-star attitude way.

Their songs were well introduced without a long drawn-out epic narrative. However it was interesting and had there been a video screen behind them it would have blown our minds.

I found Scholar Of Sin extremely engaging – they made a small stage feel bigger using their limited space wisely.

Now I’m not a fan of name dropping in my reviews but sometimes to give you a true meaningful description I will. And that’s why I can’t think of any other way to compare lead singer Tai’s dance moves to those of Peter Garrett.

His hand gestures made it almost like watching a 3D movie. I thought, for sure, a vein popped and trailed off in flight. Clearly this band had been hiding because there is no way in hell a band that loud and good could go unnoticed for long.

Scholar Of Sin did everything right – a must-see band which deserves recognition.

Last but by no means least: Terrorential

They’re a band that is no stranger to many local headbangers. Bloody hell, it’s been ages since I’d seen them play.  If you don’t know what a thrash metal singer looks like, I would say just look up Terrorential front man Larry.  He looks Metal as Fuck, which in the metal language is a high term of endearment .

Once Terrorential started, the room thundered. There was an almost standing-ovation effect. People were reacting in disbelief. On stage were these four guys who throughout the entire night could be seen watching other bands and looking like another quartet of faces in the crowd.

And now there they were on stage playing like the flood gates of hell had burst wide open. More hair than Dolly Parton’s wigs, flicking wildly, taking on a mind of their own shampoo endorsements.

Terrorential had been off the live music scene for what seemed like an eternity but they are back.  Terrorential wasn’t really gone – they just hit back and blow us away.

They are a no bull-shit band.

They take pride in their music and a passion for producing honest, mature original lyrics put to a masterful sound. If young bands are looking for a role model within the industry they can’t go past this band .

Last week Terrorential released their lyrical video while their album is due for release in March.