On a steamy July evening, in an intimate and shadowy little bar in New Cross, an explosive electric storm is brewing. In the melting pot, the impressive antecedent to that storm is unleashed in the form of DEPREVATE (8/10). A relentless cocktail of catchy grooves, tightly synchronised Bullet For My Valentine-esque harmonies and a clever penchant for seamlessly fusing minor-key riffs and verses to major-key choruses, is locked under the impressive vocal range and likeable magnetism of frontman Rich Sumner.
With notable tunes including 'The Juggernaught Bitch' and 'Suffer In Silence', the foursome's incisions of picked arpeggios within gritty sustain-chord foundations, and lyrics channelled through Rich's uncanny tonal similarity at times to Staind's Aaron Lewis, equip the group with an undeniable American hard-rock vibe; splinters of the likes of Creed and 3 Doors Down are deeply embedded, tilted by a pop-thrash feel, and the American flag across the drum kit serves testament of more than a little irony. Practiced, slick, yet rough and tough round the edges, Deprevate would be commercially well-received, and are a fine authority on a great musical night out - just ask the raucous audience before them.
With notable tunes including 'The Juggernaught Bitch' and 'Suffer In Silence', the foursome's incisions of picked arpeggios within gritty sustain-chord foundations, and lyrics channelled through Rich's uncanny tonal similarity at times to Staind's Aaron Lewis, equip the group with an undeniable American hard-rock vibe; splinters of the likes of Creed and 3 Doors Down are deeply embedded, tilted by a pop-thrash feel, and the American flag across the drum kit serves testament of more than a little irony. Practiced, slick, yet rough and tough round the edges, Deprevate would be commercially well-received, and are a fine authority on a great musical night out - just ask the raucous audience before them.
But the undoubted climax of tonight's storm is BRUTAI (9). A crucible of technical refinement, infused with ungoverned animal passion and infectious charisma, Brutai exist as a composite of juxtapositions: their very own hybrid theory. Catford's finest dark quartet alight the stage tonight with an evident creative chemistry perfectly offset by four distinct stage personalities.
Lead guitarist Henry Ryan's lightening virtuosity is showcased through numbers such as 'Epiphany' and '1 out of 1'; a nexus of highly-charged riffs, tapping and harmonies offers a sprinkling of Maiden, rhythmically anchored by a layered and atmospheric density to throw a pinch of Trivium or Atreyu to the recipe - all compressed within well-structured enough tunes to answer only to their own name.
Vocalist Felix Lawrie hollers a menagerie of gruffness to shame Dani 'Cradle' Filth, yet injects capsules of melody to lay a varied and euphonious polish to the overall quality of each song: defining the contemporary, yet original concept of Brutai. Before their 6-foot wall of noise and brutality stands a crowd bewitched by the pounding, primal potency of a band who master speed and accuracy, yet forego pretension and are equipped instead with raw power: who speak to the core of primitivism residing deep within all of us.
In the light, and indeed dark, of their first hosted gig, and their securing of the first of many respectable artistic milestones, experience Brutai for yourself. You will understand a force at work far stronger than purely musical entertainment.
Review by Rhiannon Maiden. Copyright © Rhiannon Marley. All rights reserved.
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