Live Review: Tech-Fest 10th Anniversary (Thursday)

Travelling up to the 10th Anniversary of Tech-Fest there are mixed feelings. The line up this year is incredible but the knowledge that maybe the final one weighs heavy on the head. It doesn’t feel right that something so great should come to an end, however making this one a celebration is paramount. That’s something reflected in the line up, which sees a wealth of bands who have played in previous years returning to the Newark Showground stages to set the place off. So of all things “Midwest Monsters” by King 810 is the first of the records for the road…

After pitching the tent, the event begins proper with London Post-Metal five piece Itself Timeless [9/10], a band who’s recent EP release set a very high standard. The band don’t miss a beat, setting the Pins & Knuckles stage alight from the first moment in front of a very appreciative audience including members of Tech-Fest favourites of yesteryear Fracktons and Gloomweaver. Their passion and intensity is incredible, the vocal performance as cathartic as it is corrosive. One of the highlights of last year’s incarnation of Rabidfest were Bournemouth Deathcore outfit To Obey A Tyrant [9/10] who open up the main stage like they’re suffering demonic possession. The five string bass is thunderous as they decimate the weak with their sheer pig squealing brutality. The new song they cram into their short yet oh so sugary sweet set is downtempo breakdown heaven. The dual vocal attack of Lost To Light [8/10] is impressive as they harmonize the cleans and alternate the uncleans which is not easy. The six piece are a collective of seasoned members of various other Underground Metal acts with “Narcissist” their first single. As a quintessential Metalcore band, the only question is whether they are trying to be a little too broad in their sound. The cleans are majestic and the uncleans dirty but they are so far apart that if they dropped one for the other, it might make them stronger. Industrial tinged Nu-Metalcore meets Gloom aggressors Chaos Sequence [8/10] sound huge, their sample augmented sound and twin guitar attack making up for the lack of a bassist. Their Silence Of The Lambs serial killer masks are a nice touch but don’t last long in the heat, the bounce they generate more than enough to get a sweat on. Progressive Instrumental outfit The Parallax Method [7/10] are a little bit eccletic with hints at inspirations from the likes of “Morning View” era Incubus in their guitar tone and style. Perfect for a summers afternoon as a chill out offering between some of the heavier bands lined up for the weekend.

Seeing Glass Grave [7/10] on the main stage feels a little bit premature in their career to date but they have a solid turn out for their Post-Hardcore meets Emo Shoegaze offering. Their six string bassist, seems a little out of place but they rattle through their cuts promising a big announcement soon. Newcastle Nu-Metalcore quintet Starved [7/10] are dressed like they’re out on the lash for the weekend and are joined by former Harbinger vocalist Tom Gardner for one of their violent, out bursts soaked in breakbeats. They still call themselves a hardcore band but the reality is their mix is eccletic good fun. From Eden To Exile [8/10] have a new vocalist on show and are in exceptionally sharp form, offering up slab after groove laden slab of material and are as muscular as ever. They’re a band who fall on their feet like a car with nine lives, each line up changing seemingly only making them a stronger, more determined and more ferocious beast. “Age Of Fire” is particularly intense this afternoon and feels like a real moment in their set. As far as we’re aware Milk And Two Suggahs [9/10] are the only tribute to DJent pioneers Meshuggah and armed for the the apocalypse with down tuned guitars and technical riffage, they part the Red Sea with non stop pummelling rhythmic prowess as they live up to their name. Yes they can be criticised for not playing their own material but there is also something to be said about the musicianship involved in nailing the material of legend as well. They pull out all the classics, daring to take them on.

Recently renamed Gloom Metal merchants Indevth [8/10] are an absolute pleasure and include a new song in their set that gets the spin kickers going. Humble and happy to be here, they inject the energy levels back into the second stage with a blistering set that leaves us wondering why they renamed themselves in the first place. Tech-Fest favourites Arcaeon [9/10] have been regulars in Newark and bring their unique flavours of Progressive Tech-Metal to the main stage tonight as the “Candescence” era of the band comes to a close. They are as technically tight as always and are deceptively heavier than people give them credit for, especially with cuts like “Replicant“. The Human Veil [9/10] surprise with a career spanning set from first ever single “Bury Your Head” to a brand new song. “Dark Planet” goes down an absolute storm and it has to be said that the sound quality is immense. Black Coast [8/10] may not usually be the kind of band associated with Tech-Fest but variety has always been the spice of life and the Stoke natives pull out all the stops, including having a guitarist looking like he belongs in Suicidal Tendencies. Their self titled EP and 2021 album “Outworld” have been very well received and that reception is echoed here. Having travelled all the way from Mexico to be here Anima Tempo [8/10] offer up a wealth of cuts from their Famined Records album “Chaos Paradox” which releases the day after the set. It’s an absolute pleasure, coming seven long years after its predecessor and while the majority are unknown, it still gets plenty of movement from the Progressive loving crowd.

Back in 2017, our first Tech-Fest, Harbinger [10/10] player the main stage early to a packed audience and looked green around the gills. Tonight, six years on, they have ascended to another realm of existence, such is the quality of their musicianship. As a headliner they add not only a new song but the oldest in their catalogue too and are joined by former vocalist Tom Gardner, now of Pulse for the purpose. shrouded in dry ice and a killer light show, they play “Subsidized Slaughter” with merch guy and Beyond Extinction vocalist Jasper Harmer lending his throat. They’ve created a Groove Death monster.