03-05-2014 Neurotic Deathfest

Venue: 013, Tilburg (Netherlands)
By: Sabine van Gameren

Day 2
On day 2 we would continue to see a lot of great acts. Three stages for the last two days so more Death for the best.

The main stage would give some space to the band Funerus. The band formed in 1990 to break up about 8 years later without the release of a full length. In 2002 they returned and a year later their debut came out. Their second album took some time again, it came out in 2011 and is their most recent since. The band is now only a duo, with diverse live musicians added. Bassist Jill is taking a major part of the vocal duties and although it is not the wildest show, she gives it some charm by telling a bit about the songs played as for example “Reduced To Sludge” and “Bedpan Commando”.

Cytotoxin was playing in the second stage. And their show might be poisonous. An entrée with a gasmask does certainly hint in that direction. The German formation makes Technical Death and is relatively young compared to most other bands with their formation dating back to 2010. Yet they have managed to release two full length albums, the last one “Radiophobia” came to the world in 2012.

Their sound takes a high risk with them as suggested earlier, but it isn’t the gas you have to worry about. A mosh pit is all over the place, from the front to the back, from one side to the other, the band clearly inspires people to go wild and it only takes them half a song to get it going. Obviously a crowd pleaser here today. Not much of a surprise, the skilled vocalist of the band makes it all look effortless.

What was on the list was Abnormality, but more people had that idea in mind. Even outside of the hall people were trying to catch a glimpse of this female fronted formation from USA. We would have loved to tell a bit more on the show, but with a time block crossing the one of Cytotoxin and the huge interest for this band it was simply impossible to get in there for a proper review. We hope to see them another time.

Back to the main stage where the USA band Brutal Truth was ready for their set. The band is formed in 1990 by ex-Anthrax bassist Danny Lilker and have recently announced that they will quit at 18 Oktober when he turns 50 and feels like it is enough for now. A final opportunity to see this band live was ahead and of course we wouldn’t want to miss out.

The band stands out for its variety, they are quite playful with the tempo’s and that makes the songs very entertaining as they skilfully tease you with it. Vocalist Kevin is barefooted on the stage and speaks a lot to the audience, but a response does not really come off. The people seem a bit hesitating with applause as well as if the whole does not really come across. Not really the right click here as it seems.

Accompanied of a big Lego block it is Despised Icon that we get to see next. They are coming from Canada, make Death Core and have an enormous amount of energy flowing over the stage. And that is not where it stays, the whole venue gets involved in their catchy Deathcore, the crowdpleasers are trusted to make the whole come alive, which seems so different from Brutal Truth. The band recently reunited and since their last album is dating back to 2009 we hope some new material comes on the market soon.

For today we have to do with the older material which obviously hits ground as well. The band has two vocalists who complement each other and that might be a factor of their success here today. The two know their strengths and use it to their advance in its fullest. Here and there the whole could find an even stronger connection with the instrumental part perhaps, but that is just a thing for perfectionists. We’ll see what comes next from them.

Hour of Penace comes from Italy. They played at the second stage and with their technical Death they managed to make a good impression. Since their formation in 1999 the band released six studio albums of which the last one called “Rigicide” comes out this year.
The band played some new material to show us what to expect and what comes to notice right away is that the guys have a great plan on their songwriting, which results in tracks that impress easily. Like you are listening a best of album, each track made its way to the crowd, for some it may have been the surprise of the day, so may have seen them before, but for sure many would love to see this band again.

Lock Up, the supergroup of the day as it seems, are playing the mainstage. With members as Shane Embury (Napalm Death), Nicholas Barker (Dimmu Borgir)And Thomad Lindberg (At The Gates) there are some names on the stage that will speak to many. The question with groups like these is always how much can the live up to people’s expectations? Well, the band has over 15 years on the counter so perhaps people don’t see them as much as a supergroup but as a band as they are.

In whatever case, they appeared a bit tame today. We hoped for a bit more spice than we actually received and that may have caused a bit disappointment. What did speak in their advantage was the wide selection of tracks. They have chosen to play tracks from all albums, which pleased those who have followed the band for all these years as well. And the band speaks some words of appreciation out for that as well. Overall their show was not that bad, but maybe we hoped for just a stronger edge of vehemence on it all.

The American formation Skinless had originally called its quits in 2011 after 19 years of existence but the butterflies played part in it perhaps, a comeback is set up and an exclusive European Comeback tour was planned. Neurotic Deathfest being part of that was a nice addition to our evening. Their last studio album dates back to 2006 but the word is out that a new album is worked on so just a bit more time and that will be in our hands as well. Vocalist Sherwood Webber makes a bit of a cheeky image with his woollen hat on. The deep sound of Skinless is giving the audience a bunch of energy though the response is a bit mellow. It has to grow on you as further in the set the enthusiasm is rising and when they finish their set after 50 minutes people seem quite satisfied what they have seen.

There is always one band that takes everything to the next level and for this evening Suffocation is that band. Their massive, the name and the fame and within seconds you see why. They live up to it. Not a surprise knowing they are seen as pioneers in the genre. Formed in 1988 the band a few years breakup but have been going around a long time since.

Their latest release dates back to 2013 but they did not focus on their latest material only. Tracks like “Liege of Inveracity” and “Mass Obliteration” of their debut release came by as well. On stage it is often bassist Derek Boyer who draws most attention. His mimics and play style are interesting to observe. Vocalist Frank Mullen has not much effort to put in to get people’s attention either. Altogether, Suffocation shows a worthy closing of the evening and makes this second day of Neurotic Deathfest a success.