Music > Live Reviews

A Wilhelm Scream

The Adrian Flux Waterfront

25/06/18

This is one of the gigs that I attend to see the opening act and out of curiosity for those higher up the bill rather than because I am a fan of those other bands. 

It has been a good while since I last saw Norwich’s own Other Half, from memory playing the NAC bar as part of Norwich Sound + Vision. Cal (vocals/guitar), Sophie (bass/vocals) and Alfie (drums) don’t disappoint with a set of punky alt.rock that brings to mind prime Pixies with a dose of Vaselines in Cal and Sophie’s vocal interplay. It may have been a few years since I last saw Other Half but, with songs like The Clientele Is Getting Colder (available on the Misery Movement 7-tracker on Bandcamp), I definitely won’t leave it so long again. 

Next up is Guildford’s Darko. Their t-shirts are emblazoned with the slogan Hardcore Punk Supply Co and yes, this is melodic hardcore but there is more to them than that. There is a distinct hint of metal - both classic and nu - in the guitars. Rob and Chris play two handed hammer-ons recalling Eddie Van Halen and - whisper it - Yngwie Malmsteen to produce twin lead breaks that bring to mind both Thin Lizzy and Maiden. Leaving aside those solos, the music crosses the complexity of, say, Dillinger Escape Plan, the brutality of Japcore legends Envy and the melodies of Poison Idea. A giant bear of a man, bassist Karl is the star of the Darko show, leaping around like a loon whilst adding grindcore deathgrunt backing vocals. Behind it all, drummer Andy bashes away fiercely. Centre stage, Dan is an engaging frontman. As good as it is, though, it is a bit one dimensional and gets a bit samey. For me - quite possibly in a minority of one in this audience - the set could do with a bit of diversity and is one or two songs too long. 

The Wilhelm Scream is a stock sound effect used in nigh-on 400 films and countless TV series since it was recorded in 1951, almost certainly by Shebb Woolley of Purple People Eater fame. Well, that is what Wikipedia says, anyway… More pertinently to us, A Wilhelm Scream is a band formed in 1999 - albeit with roots stretching back under several other names to 1993 - in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Less complex than Darko but equally fierce, AWS play the kind of melodic hardcore that brings to mind Propogandhi, with touches of Minor Threat and Husker Du. The five piece play with tightness, passion and what seems to be. genuine enjoyment at being on stage together. Ace in their hand is engaging, charismatic and humorous frontman Nuno Pereira, who dedicates These Dead Streets to the patrons of the Queen of Iceni.

Things step up a gear when Jaws 3, People 0 induces fervent moshing but the set is soon derailed when an amp craps out. Pereira reels out some amusing anecdotes and there is even an impromptu (and surprisingly accurate) take on Summer of 69, complete with an admittedly small section of the crowd singing along. Perhaps thankfully for all concerned, a replacement amp is found and proceedings resume with, if anything, increased vigour. There is more enthusiastic moshing, a very wobbly human pyramid and even a bit of crowd surfing, 

Underneath it all, AWS write what may be classic, catchy pop songs but play them with a true hardcore intensity. Dial back on that intensity and I can see them troubling the Billboard chart and playing arenas. Of course, whilst that might bring them fame and fortune, however fleetingly, it would also make them a lot less interesting and a whole heap less fun. And I, along with everyone here tonight, must be grateful that they have stayed true to their roots.