Top notch Aussie metal invaded Reading on Tuesday the 9th of June.
We don’t get to everything we want to in Reading, but we always keep an eye out for really interesting newer bands popping through. Headwreck qualify as one of the most exciting visitors to The Facebar so far this year!
Masquerader
One day bands will actually check the name they want to use on the Internet before settling on it. I really enjoyed these guys, but at least four groups are using the name. Despite the difficulty in finding out they were actually a local Reading band, they were a great start to the evening.
They describe themselves as math punk 3 piece noisy boys. Which is fair enough. Guitar, drums and the lead singer uses a laptop to fill everything else out. They had good energy and lean into metal often enough to not be out of place on this bill.
paradise fell.
paradise fell. exude proper big rock and metal energy. How they dress, how they handle the stage, how the tunes sound. This was impressive. They have been releasing music for three years and their recent singles have been getting added to a lot of important rock and metal playlists.
They have plenty of tunes but ‘NO LIES.’ shows this is a band that could force their way right to the front of the heavy band pack.
It feels like they are having an absolute blast on stage. The huge energy and big riffs radiate off the stage. Lead singer Matty is beaming by the end, “Thank you so f*****g much Reading. You’ve been amazing.” So were you Matty, so were you.
Headwreck
This appearance was part of a mini tour slotted in around an appearance at Download Festival, where they will win over a lot of converts to their cause. With their mix of modernist nu-metal, metalcore and a little sense of wry irony in their use of samples, these guys are a perfect band for the Donington.
The come to the stage to the sound of the intro music for Wii Sports. It gives you an idea of the sense of fun woven into their work. ‘Filet-O-Fish’ signposts further. Like a number of current bands, including South Arcade, they take the nu-metal styling of Limp Bizkit, and other bands of that era, and evolve it. Hints of breakbeat, more straightforward moments of speed metal/thrash metal. Connor Hickman is a versatile vocalist able to rap at pace as well as deliver harsher vocals and full throat screams.
‘BINGO!’ dials the same vibes up even further , harder and faster. With the sweeter swung chorus their love of Linkin Park shines through more here. Jamo Benadie plays guitar as well as providing the proper tuneful singing when it is called for. They often throw in a Linkin Park cover as part of their set. ‘Let it Feel’ goes EVEN HEAVIER with a proper slab of death metal. These guys are students of the full range of heavy music and can switch sub-genres with ease.
Dayne Paix is the bassist with the unusual eyewear that was popular amongst extreme metal bands twenty years ago. Amongst curious locals there are about thirty hardcore Headwreck fans present wearing their rather nice sports-style t-shirt, a couple of them had even come over from Holland for the opportunity to catch a few gigs this week. It is early days for them in the UK but they are definitely a band that is going to generate solid devotion in a loyal fanbase. Drummer Colby Horton comes out from behind the kit for one track while a member of their entourage takes over, he hangs out in the crowd sharing their sense of excitement.
Latest single ‘Raindrops’ showcases a band that doesn’t sit still and has a wide array of ideas floating around. They are a genuinely exciting live act with energy to burn. They save ‘Buzzsaw’ for the end, a real monster of a tune. Catch them on tour over the next week at Download, Brighton and Norwich. Otherwise get listening and book them on their next UK tour. They might well be too big for The Facebar by then.
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