Basic aspects of the concert:
Location: Schwimmbadclub, Heidelberg
Date: 2014-03-07
Entrance fee: 7€
Opening: 20:00
Begin: 21:00?
End: no idea …
Number of attendees: quite crowded towards the end.
Tracklists: no idea ...
Playing order (from bottom to top)
CypecoreDead Eyed Sleeper
Zombieslut
Deathcon Alpha
Schwimmbadclub … again. The third instalment of this year's Full Metal HD came with four bands instead of five, like it did the previous time. Also, the focus is a bit different and more on the death metal side, while the preceding one presented mostly bands of the metalcore/deathcore/melodeath genres.
Deathcon Alpha
The first band of the evening was Deathcon Alpha, and they opened the evening with some heavy and intense death metal. As usual the number of attendees is quite low at such a time of a concert, so a lot of folks missed an actually good performance. Nice solo elements, an interesting groove in the melodies and a slightly off mix – as usual and as can be expected. What I am generally complaining about is a lack of motivation of a band to move around on stage during their gig. Well, it would be unfair to do it this time, because the stage had been comparably filled with all sorts of bags and stuff. Yet the performance had not been too static.
You may want to give this band a try. Whether their first releases are still available cannot be said for certain.
Zombieslut
The crowd increases in number and so does the intensity – presumably a concealed correlation of some sort. Band number two played rather traditional death metal with more power and tempo than the first one. Also in terms of getting it across to the fans Zombieslut has a bit more to offer. More posing, more action and more reaction in the pit. Again, no banner or something similar. A good performance... and some sick stuff.
Their first and only release dates back to 2010, but not much of the music is available online.
Dead Eyed Sleeper
After the surprisingly interesting performance of the previous band a slight downturn in quality has to be noted. It is difficult to pinpoint the reason for this. Whether it had to do with the slightly off mix (and something with the drums that had been part of a debate with the mixer), the imbalance in terms of the vocals/instruments – too much of the former – or with the music in general is hard to say, but the music of Dead Eyed Sleeper failed to leave a positive impression. They play death metal, but with progressive elements and some sick elements; you should definitely check out their Bandcamp entry. Yet considering that their new composition was actually pretty cool, I am somewhat interested in what they direction they will develop. They sound better on the album, and it is a sad thing that they had some difficulties in getting this across on that very evening.
Cypecore
Before I plunge into writing about the band, I want to share some thoughts about the behaviour of some supposed metal heads. Jumping around like morons does not make you metal, got it? The gig of the last band had some revealing moments in terms of the level of douche bags on concerts these days. You can spot those folks from their looks … yes, it is that sad. Well, once those selected few granted others some space and peace, some sweet headbanging was finally able to take place, but until then … don't get me started.
Anyway, the impression that one can gain from Cypecore's entry at the Metal Archives says it all – unlike the description of the genre. Cypecore are a band with a certain image and style. There are LEDs, there are costumes and masks, there is a fog machine and so on and so forth. It sets a clear break with what had been going on in all performances of all preceding bands. This is a different type of professionalism. Whether this expresses itself also in not playing an additional track or two at the end is something that shall be left open for discussion.
A band that came to mind during their gig had been Soulfly; especially due to the singing and some arrangements. Melodic Death Metal alone feels a little bit too narrow when it comes to actually describing their style. A lot of power, drive and elements can be found in their music. Of course the number of attendees reached its maximum during their gig and of the atmosphere the same can be said. Cypecore's music can be a lot of fun, should someone be able to enjoy it and see it not ruined by some morons in their lame attempt to create a pit. If you have a chance to see them, do not miss them …