This must be one of the biggest and most anticipated double header tours to hit Australia this year. The “Double Trouble” tour as it has been dubbed is without a pairing that cannot be disputed. It’s two powerhouse bands that complement each other while being different. Devildriver the main course, Cradle Of Filth the desert so to speak. It is a complete meal of everything that is essential for a well-balanced metal diet served to a five-star standard.
Pairing groove metalists Devildriver with Cradle Of Filth is two worlds that at times seem to be on different axis’, you have the street wise groove of Devildriver whose fans come ready to get amongst it, battle jackets, t-shirt and jeans ready to tear the pit up, while Cradle Of Filth’s faithful come dressed to impress, all black, leather, studs, lace and of course corpse paint, dressed to impress and devoutly faithful to their style.
Both bands have their own unique sound, but what makes them so compatible is the musicality and musicianship of both bands. The heavy and deep grooves of Devildriver expels and insists energy and chaos becoming the mouth-watering full flavoured band that you get to sink your teeth into. Musically Devildriver hit you hard, it brings an energy that cannot be tamed as we saw throughout the sets many frantic circle pits.
Dez Fafara is the consummate frontman, commanding, powerful and a straight up badass. The band’s twin guitar attack of Alex Lee & Gabe Mangold traded riffs and solos, grooves and breakdowns that simply tore through you. The rhythm section of Davier Perez and Jon Miller simply brought that groove, power and feel that drove the pit. From the intensity to the short-lived calm there was always very deliberate control from Fafara and Co.
The set itself was something that covered the catalogue, fan faves and of course today was the release of the bands eleventh album “Strike & Kill” which unfortunately they only played on song from. Afterall it’s been a while since they have been here and the set was a long overdue catch up of what a formidable force the band is live. The set was relentless in the best possible way. It was meat and potatoes heavy rock n roll that made you move and made you feel.
The light show and production tonight at the Enmore was incredible, that stage is one of my favourites in the country, big enough to give bands room to move and connect, intimate enough that no one is lost. The lighting simplistic, powerful, blinding, chaotic, fitting so well with the music. In all honesty this is the one venue in Australia that every show I have been to sounds amazing at.
Tonight, Devildriver reminded us all just how good their brand of groove metal is. A superb, relentless set that left me exhausted, smiling and wanting to do it all again.
Setlist : Clouds Over California, Not All Who Wander Are Lost, Grindf*cked,Meet The Wretched, I Cpould Care Less, Dig Your Own Grave, Dead In The Water, Hold Back The Day, My Night Sky, Sail, Cry For Me Sky (Eulogy Of The Scorned), The Mountain, End Of The Line.
Devildriver Gallery
A quick strip down of the Devildriver amps and drum kit unveiled a cleaner stage. Cradle of Filth using in ears for their stage sound just opened the stage to become their playground. What we were about to witness was not only theatrical, but it was also raw and exposed.
Dani Filth is one of those frontmen who knows how to build drama and emotion. The way he prowls the stage, his zombie shuffles to his near shadow boxing fist strikes he builds a mystique that goes far beyond the makeup, leather and studs. His voice and those shrill screams are all perfectly controlled as he brings a certain darkness to light. Musically when you strip what the band does down is crammed full of technical perfection, incredible musicianship and absolute atmosphere. There are the organic metal moments and then there is the dark gothic undertones, the layers and how they all fit together truly is magic.
A revamped line up which features new guitarist Joff Bailey seemed like he had been doing this forever. Bailey a natural fit for the band in ability and presence. His flying-V an extension of himself and his stage presence, his solos were precise and had so much feel. Supporting him on rhythm guitar is Donny Burbage who also contributed to solos throughout the set, along with Bailey this is a brilliant pairing who appear to have been doing this together forever, their understanding of each other and the songs was flawless.
Again, this comes back to how good the sound is in the Enmore Theatre, everything was as and where it should have been. There is a grandeur about the rhythm section of Daniel Firth (Bass) and Martin Skaroupka (Drums) had the speed and eloquence that drives these songs hard, the at times symphonic drive simply shines and where speed is required, the technical elements are all there.
However, it is Dani Filth’s muse as I will refer to her, Kelsey Peters, the perfect partner in crime, her soprano voice haunting Filth’s darkness and her keyboard work is the orchestral shavings on this decadent desert. Peters adds the perfect light and shade to it all. Filth is by no means a vocal slouch, his guttural delivery hits you and those shrieks and high-pitched screams all make what Cradle of Filth do so very special and unique.
The setlist was a journey. From the orchestral opening as they launched into “To Live Deliciously” really set the scene for what we were about to experience. The ebbs and flows, drama and darkness made for a captivating performance. There was something for everyone with four songs from the last album “The Screaming Of The Valkyries” all the way back to “The Principal Of Evil Made Flesh” we were taken on a journey.
The stage placed setlists were fun, but unfortunately, I can’t share an image of it, but in a very clever way it was given Filth’s personal touch by adding his humour to it.
It really is something to behold when these two worlds collide. Devildriver came and simply kicked our asses, delivering an hour of power, delivering us riffs, choruses and energy that ignited us. Cradle of Filth then took us to a place where it grabbed you and held you by the throat, unable to look away, not that you wanted to for a moment. The main course and the desert were worthy of Michelin stars.
If you have ever been on the fence about seeing either of these bands, go and see them together. If you are new to either band, go and make sure you see them both on this tour. I highly recommend it. With Melbourne , Adelaide & Perth still to come, best go get yourself a ticket.
Setlist : To Live Deliciously, Demagoguery, Nocturnal Supremacy, Malignant Perfection, The Principal Made Of Evil Flesh, How Many Tears To Nurture A Rose?, Nympheramine (fix), White Hellebore, Bathory Aria : Benighted Like Usher A Murder Of Ravens In Fuge / Eyes That Witness Madness.
Encore : Gilded C*nt, Cruelty Brough Orchids, Her Ghost In The Fog.
With thanks to John Howarth for the media access
Cradle of Filth Gallery
