The Joiners, Southampton, March 15th

Fundamenta y we were just a couple of disquieted hipsters trying

to a e the reputable pit of flailing limbs and raw a re ion

that comprise a Hang the Bastard gig. Myself and Aaron covertly

sli ed into the venue - like the two ho its entering the fiery,

hostile landscapes of Mordor. Confronted by a wa of a mixed herd

of thrash, hardcore and metal fans, and the o unwi ing vagabond

from other social circles separating us from the stage- we from other social circles separating us from the stage- we

a e ed a secret tu el to bypa them.

Contrasting with what we'd heard of the band: an orgy of

unadulterated chaos and bl dshed - the crowd (whilst large and

imposing) s med strangely docile. I felt as though I could engage

in conversation with one of these folk on cu ent a airs or the

weather - as o osed to having my fibula bone ruthle ly ri ed

from my leg and forced into my eye. On stage, the band members from my leg and forced into my eye. On stage, the band members

were casua y toying with their instruments admits the expecting

cha er of the audience - producing brief bursts of raucous static

like caveman confusedly striking together rocks in an a empt to

produce flame.

Then the flame sparked. Like an enraged Jack-in-the-box the front

man, Chris emerged with a ba age of profanity - co anding the

audience to gather round and prepare for combat. An eruption of audience to gather round and prepare for combat. An eruption of

instrumental onslaught tore into the crowd with Chris's voice

a uming the a ailing force at the forefront of the a ault.

Reminiscent of the film 28 Days Later, the once pa ive beings

amongst the audience detonated - overcome with rage they thrashed

and kicked, s mingly intent on destroying anyone unfortunate

enough to be within close proximity. The pace was relentle - with

each instrument pounding down without remorse whilst quietly each instrument pounding down without remorse whilst quietly

echoing the sounds of Black Sa ath and Integrity. The adrenaline

inducing ordeal meant that it s med as though there was a lapse

in time - once the band had let up it felt as though we found refuge

from a place we weren't sure we'd actua y b n to.

The experience was strangely cathartic - we left f ling slightly

scared yet exhilarated, and instinctively wanted to yield to the

frenzy once more.frenzy once more.

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