People Rain, The Matador and Ghost Town 19/10/10

People Rain
People Rain’s style is undoubtedly influenced by the hardcore punk movement from the 1980s. The band mixes fast chord progressions, alongside thrash metal riffery which pays homage to bands such as Black Flag or D.C hardcore favourites Bad Brains. Unfortunately People Rain’s energy on stage doesn’t represent the genre of music they wish be indentified with; and this is most visible when the band members don’t face the crowd. People Rain are at their strongest when the vocalist belts out hardcore punk shouts, but drunken slurs almost take away credibility from the aggressive shouting. People Rain does have potential, and energetic unity by the members is the key to achieving this.

Venue
Elsewhere

Overall Performance
5/10

Myspace
http://www.myspace.com/peoplerain

The Matador
The Matador are a difficult band to define. The band utilises experimental melodic sections which help create a landscape of atmosphere, and serve as progression to a later chaotic climax of sounds. Both instrumentally and vocally, the Matador are brilliant. The vocalist's screams hit ear-piercing highs and are always on pitch, and when the band is in full effect, they sound reminiscent of earlier Norma Jean. It’s also fresh to hear a band that uses the bass for more than just an added element underneath the rhythm guitar. Overall, the Matador’s experimental nature of Isis, blended with later day metalcore should not be missed.

Venue
Elsewhere

Overall Performance
9/10

Myspace
http://www.myspace.com/thematadornoise

Ghost Town
Ghost Town play modern day hardcore similar to many of the bands on the Resist Records roster, and after witnessing Ghost Town live, it’s clear why they were the headliners for the Elsewhere show. The band plays with intense energy that only subsides once their set is over, and the band are at their strongest when heavier groove metal-inspired riffs are in command. Ghost Town overall are tight as a unit, with each member serving their purpose well, especially the drummer with his unrelenting tempo’s, and the vocalist with his harsh vocal delivery, accompanied by dark lyrical content. Ghost Town was the only band to achieve a mosh pit throughout the event, which is undoubtedly due to their notorious live shows earning them a dedicated fan base.

Venue
Elsewhere

Overall Performance
9.5/10

Myspace
http://www.myspace.com/thisisghosttown