Nevermore / Dew Scented / Mercenary
25 September 2005
The Scala, London
Mercenary were shunted onto the stage so early that they arrived about five minutes before their intro tape started. It was therefore a growing crowd they entertained as the set progressed and one that they had won over by the close.
Vocalist Mikkel Sandager was totally absorbed in each song, with his high range vocals underpinned by the more deathly roar of bassist Kral. The pair of them work hard to get a response from the crowd through a set of aggressive and heavy songs, packed with melodies that Devin Townsend would be proud of.
Guitarist Martin Pedersen is particularly impressive with a series of fluid leads during World Hate Centre on his seven string Ibanez. Latest album title track, 11 Dreams closed a strong but short set with Mercenary`s brand of intelligent metal proving a prefect suit as support for Nevermore.
Mercenary set list:
reDestructDead / Firesoul / World Hate Centre / Seize The Night / 11 Dreams
Germany`s Dew Scented are a much more direct and brutal proposition plying a death/thrash sound influenced heavily by Slayer. I`d caught the band a couple of years ago and been impressed by their tightness and made a mental note to listen to more of their recorded output. However, that`s the problem, as when I have put on their cds I`ve found myself opting to listen to The Haunted instead who carry a similar sound but with more memorable tunes.
Similarly, whilst the live performance is set to kill, the material washes over with vocalist Leif Jensen`s relentless shouting becoming a bit tiresome.
Dew Scented set list included:
Bitter Conflict / New Found Pain / Turn To Ash / Cities Of The Dead / Destination Hell / The Prison Of Reason / Rituals Of Time / Unconditional
Unfortunately due to a family bereavement, Nevermore guitarist Steve Smyth has had to fly back to the States, leaving the band as a four piece. However, if you`ve only got one guitarist to rely upon, then having Jeff Loomis, who Andy Sneap considers to be the best musician he has worked with, doesn`t do any harm. So immense is Loomis` guitarwork, that it`s only when he breaks off for a solo that you notice the second guitar is missing.
Such a situation demands a solid performance from bassist Jim Sheppard, though as if that was ever in doubt as he locks in with the precision drumming of Van Williams. Over half the set was taken from the Dead Heart In A Dead World and This Godless Endeavour albums. Though, unsurprisingly, the title track of their latest album, which features extensive lead trade offs, was absent.
Despite his sneering face putting passion into each song, the in between banter of Warrel Dane would suggest he was enjoying the evening. The occasional shift to a higher register scream brought back memories of Sanctuary, reminding what a long road it has been to the band`s first headline UK tour.
It`s hard to pick a highlight in a set which was so consistently good, though "a little old school thrash metal" of Seven Tongues Of God and the "thorough desecration of a 60s folk song" which was The Sound Of Silence encouraged a few stage divers.
Warrel Dane said the band would be back in the UK "eventually" later on the tour. I hope he keeps this promise as although Nevemore effortlessly pulled off covering for Smyth`s absence tonight, I relish the chance of seeing the Loomis / Smyth partnership again.
Nevermore set list:
Born / My Acid Words / This Sacrament / Narcosynthesis / The River Dragon Has Come / Beyond Within / Never Purify / The Seven Tongues of God / Sentient 6 / The Sound Of Silence / The Heart Collector / Final Product / Enemies Of Reality
LINKS:
Nevermore
Dew Scented
Mercenary
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