Live Reviews : Hell on the Bay @ Docklands, Melbourne 07/09/2013

What happens when you get 250 metalheads and stick them on a boat with a couple of great metal bands, and heaps of alcohol? You get Hell on the Bay. An idea conceived by Brimstone Bookings, one of Melbourne’s newest and more logically thinking promotional entities, who took an idea used many times over with the likes of Barge to Hell, Wacken Metal Cruise and 70,000 tons of Metal and made it work within Melbourne’s strong metal community. Its not everyday you get to stroll down to Docklands pier and board a boat, sold out no less, which is specifically tailored for the hearts and minds of metalheads.

While the line-up was considered small, it did tailor to a lot of musical tastes. There seems to be room for this idea to evolve and make it quite unique for Melbourne and Australian metal audiences. There was great diversity not only in the music, but also within the crowd, which is always great to see at any show. People were genuinely enthusiastic and ready to party. Some were there more for the experience than the music which is a good indication of how metal gigs can transcend there gloomy, urine smelling club culture.

Photo by Anwar Rizk
www.anwarrizk.com

Before boarding, we were given some insightful and humorous safety tips from our captain. With no champagne to signal the tradition of a maiden voyage. We settled for smashing beers at the bar and inhaling free pizza. All of which were served up by the boat’s professional staff.

Melbourne’s Orpheus Omega kicked off the night with ‘Desconstruct’, who, as always, sounded top notch, reestablishing their crowd pleasing melodic death laden grooves. Vocalist, Chris Themelco revved the crowd, keeping the momentum at a constant high. While keyboardist, Keswick found the means to mount his keyboard, an act which has become tradition at all Orpheus Omega shows, within the confines of the stages tight quarters. If somehow the boat was to run on the energy of the crowd it would easily take it around the world and back. Never have I seen such raw power and enthusiasm within the greater metal community, as I did with Orpheus Omega’s set on Hell on the Bay.

Orpheus Omega’s newest addition, Dan Ralph on bass has finally found his place in the group. While many of us are still grieving the loss of Milky. Everyone welcomed Dan Ralph as a permanent member of Orpheus Omega. His skillful bass techniques along with his odd sense of humor have found a home within Orpheus Omega. Matt Themelco, kept the band tightly knit with his amazing drum techniques, offering plenty of double kick and solidarity. While guitarist Joao Goncalves, kept the Orpheus machine in rhythm. Their setlist was split with a variety of new and old. Crowd favorites “Sealed in Fate”, “Fragments” and “Unscathed” all made the cut with the addition of Dethklok‘s “Murmaider” sneaking in a bonus.

Photo by Anwar Rizk
www,anwarrizk.com

Next up were Hybrid Nightmares, Melbourne’s fastest rising black metal quintet. Their haunting sound-scape brought about a vibrant palate of black metal influences with visions of Satyricon and Hellhammer. Vocalist Loki, lead the charge with his dry black metal assault and quick whit. Sonically, Hybrid Nightmares is a force to be reckoned with. Not since Immortal have I been captivated by the imagery and haunting sounds of black metal.  The setlist consisted of tracks “The Killing Fields”, “Mourn Not To Dead” and “Ashes of an Astral Winter” from their debut EP, plus their latest single “Thrown To The Wolves”, a fist pumping black metal anthem which drove the crowd into a frenzy. Definitely keep an eye on Hybrid Nightmare in the future. An evolutionary step in black metal.

Following a short break with the fine tuning of Tim Charles’ violin echoing throughout the ships quarters. We arrive at the half way point of our journey which took us out to the greater bay of Melbourne. The city lights dimly light the horizon as we slowly made our way back to shore. Ne Obliviscaris hit the stage just before 10:30pm with an astounding cheer. These guys have been doing great things in the last couple of months, releasing limited vinyl to their worldwide audience and selling them all in less than an hour, plus finishing up a successful tour of Asia, hitting Japan, Taiwan and Hong Kong.

Photo by Anwar Rizk
www,anwarrizk.com

Before the the guys hit the stage, I was able to chat to Tim Charles about their voyage to Asia. Among other topics we discussed Australian bands and their lust for greater touring pastures.  Tim did a solid job and said, “Australian bands definitely need to take advantage of Asia’s close proximity and tour there. It’s definitely a worthwhile investment”. I can definitely agree with that statement. As much as everyone wants to dominate Europe and America. There are plenty of opportunities close to home, but I digress.

Ne’O were just amazing. Their kaleidoscope of musical influences definitely made the voyage a memorable one. Their lengthy set consisted of crowd favorites “Xenoflux”,  “As Icicles Fall”, “And Plague Flowers The Kaleidoscope”, plus a special, as of yet unnamed bonus song which would surely be released in due time. All I can say is fans will definitely be pleased with the new material. This new addition elevates Ne’O to a higher plateau without taking to much away from their extremely progressive roots.

As we approach Melbourne’s industrial area, a vast array of cargo ships and tankers litter the bay, signalling our final route back to Docklands. Headliners Psycroptic blast onto stage, bringing nothing but chaos. The crowd are eager and ready to destroy, yet hold back their aggression as not to piss off the captain and be keelhauled. Psycrotpic delivered the goods with a solid setlist consisting of song from their latest tech death offering, “The Inherited Repression”, plus a brand new track never heard before. Long story short chaos ensued. Jason Peppiatt, informed the crowd that Psycroptic are not a political band, yet still showed his disinterest with the induction of Tony Abbott as Australia’s newest prime minister with a middle finger in the air and dedicating “Ob (Servant)” to the masses. By the time we reached the Bolte Bridge the captain had signaled to lower the volume, as to not create confusion within the docks. Regardless of the soundboard being brought down to a minimum. Psycroptic still managed to destroy and melt everyone’s faces.

Photo by Anwar Rizk
www.anwarrizk.com

Truly, this is the way a metal gig should be done. On the high seas with nothing but the wind in your hair and the force of heavy metal crushing down with each titanic wave. Not since first attending Wacken Open Air in 2010 have I been taken back at such a well organised and tightly knit crew of metalheads. Brimstone Bookings surely deserve a generous pat on the back for their efforts. I only have high praise and hopes for the future for Hell on the Bay. Its not everyday you get to board a boat and partake in one of the most fun metal experiences ever!

Orpheus Omega Setlist:

Deconstruct
Unscathed
Fragments
Murmaider (Dethklok Cover)
Abhorrent
Sans Memoria
Sealed In Fate

Hybrid Nightmares Setlist:

Mourn Not the Dead
Thrown to the Wolves
The Killing Fields
Ashes of an Astral Winter

Ne Obliviscaris Setlist:

Xenoflux
Of Petrichor Weaves Black Noise
As Icicles Fall
Untitled New Song
And Plague Flowers The Kaleidoscope

Psycroptic Setlist:

Carriers Of The Plague
Forward To Submission
Euphorinasia
Observant
Untitled New Song
Horde In Devolution
A Calculated Effort
Initiate

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