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Live Reviews : The Ocean, Caligula’s Horse & Orsome Welles @ The Evelyn, Melbourne 18/04/2015

By on April 23, 2015

Words: Dilini Fredrick

Images: Clinton Hatfield

It was another night of braving the weather; the streets awash with rain and people struggling to get inside. I was running late and it’s always at these times when everything seems impossible. Finally walked through the doors of The Evelyn to see that Orsome Welles were just about to start. Not all was against me.

If I had arrived late and Orsome Welles were already underway, there would have been a second of unrestrained thought where I would have had to wonder if I was in the right place. They project a jazz/blues lounge vibe in their stage attire. Very sharp. This blend of groove, prominent in the rhythm, at times clashes with the vibrantly sonorous vocals and other times contributes to lifting both voice and music to heights never imagined before. Good luck to you if you try to put this band in a cul de sac! It’s all metal at the end of the day and that’s where I’ll leave the definitions. During the more mellow moments, I glanced at the jar, containing what I like to think was whiskey, then back at the band. Picture this, somewhere in New Orleans and trapped in an antique sepia film where it flickers between today and some time in the distant past. Orsome Welles have entwined funk with more traditional riffs. And the voice. It will haunt you and tear you down. It echoes the alienation of this island country and the power held within. What makes me proud to be an ‘Australian’? Witnessing the talent that this country produces.

I may have missed the start of Caligula’s Horse having been sidetracked by the guy who was employed as the driver for The Ocean and also discussing his band Morbid Anal. But I had eyes on the inside so I didn’t miss out on any review worthy material. I did miss out on the first, and apparently almost failed, stage dive of the night. From my sources, if the crowd had not simultaneously made the decision to band together, it would have failed. But it was an obvious success as it happened multiple times thereafter.

Each band member looked like they were caressing their instruments, almost. This reflects the care and attention that goes into every song. You cannot simply say it is like this or that band, Caligula’s Horse have taken elements, whether they be traditional heavy metal to progressive, to create something of their own. Along with the clean vocals and, at times, brutal display of musicianship, we were left standing, open mouthed and in awe. Especially so when vocalist Jim Grey soared above heads; always to be caught by a very trustworthy crowd. The previous night at Napalm Death, I witnessed Metal’s history. That night, having watched two local bands capture the crowd in such a way as to leave nothing but smiles on faces, I witnessed Metal’s future. They achieved this, in part, by taking influence from different kinds of music and composing it in a way that can easily appeal to metalheads’, whose own tastes range far, but they can find something that appeals to them in both bands’ music.

I apologise in advance for my cliched puns, but there is indeed depth to The Ocean. All who waited for the lads to set up, did so with heightened anticipation and excitement just to see what would happen; whether they would be swept away.

The small stage overflowed with indigo light as ‘Epipelagic’ played and each man took his place. On the screen, that took centre stage as the drummer was placed to the right side, imagery of a light and life filled shallow pool. As they dove into ‘Mesopelagic: Into the Uncanny’ with uplifting and flowing riffs, people moved as the waves; in undulating unison. As you may have guessed, The Ocean played the entirety of their latest album Pelagial, from start to finish. Each song is about a zone within the ocean, each depth. To reflect this, in the beginning, the music has a lighter quality to it and is more complex. As you get deeper, the pressure seems to increase as the guitars slow to a grinding pace, almost crushing everything under their weight. The complexity devolves as each song is played out. The progressive elements are strong in the first few songs, but to mirror the devolution of life as you sink further down, it’s simplified; returns back to the essence its beginnings.

Listening and watching The Ocean perform, I was inspired, amazed and suffering from bitter sweet depression. The imagery flashing across the screen drew me into dark thoughts of the unknown. What comes after. What lies below. Akin to the ocean’s depths, humanity know little about the workings of their own minds. It remains mystery as does what happens when death touches us. Make no mistake, I enjoyed every minute, more so because of the range of emotions I was forced to accept throughout.

This show is definitely one of the best I have ever been to. I have never seen so much love exchanged between band and crowd. Yeah, there’s no other ‘feels’ word to describe it. Constant stage dives just to be amongst the fans. As a fan of this music, you live for experiences such as these. The incredible cycle of energy created between the people and the bands they love.