Live Review: Allegaeon w/Gorod, Defects and Jake Jones at Camden Underworld!

Whether it’s a spin on the title or the now infamous “Tech Trek” tours that Archspire have been doing for the past God knows how long or not, the Tech It East Tour brings Denver Colorado heroes Allegaeon and Bordeaux France natives Gorod to the Camden Underworld on a Sunday night in September. It’s warmer than it should be and so the air conditioning is on inside the venue giving us winter chills before an evening of wizardry some can only dream of. Sadly Abysmal Dawn had to drop off the line up before the run began but a couple of more than capable bands have been added to make things interesting. Yes this is the kind of line up that takes us back to the glory days of Tech-Fest and how we miss that…

There is so much gear on stage before Jake Jones [8/10] appear that we wonder just where the band are going to perform but they manage to squeeze in between the array of amps, lights and not one but two drum kits before rattling through a set of anthems. For those not in the know, the Death Metal quartet are actually all staff members at Camden Underworld and not only have a merch collaboration with the venue but have shot a number of music videos here with equally creative staff helping out. Sonically they combine harsh rap screams with groove laden bass and crunchy guitars, touching on Nu-Metalcore with cuts like “Sick Of It“. There is even a touch of 90’s nostalgia with break beats, their drummer an animal capable of subtlety as much as an artillery shelling. Bathed in red light they may suffer from a few technical issues but they have the spark that makes them a very interesting listen.

Tonight feels like a big moment for Metalcore merchants Defects [8/10] as they continue the build up to their new album “Artificial Icons” on 16th October by playing to a packed Camden Underworld. Original members vocalist Tony Maue and guitarist James Threadwell are joined on stage by guitarist Taylor Brown and drummer Rowan Jack, the quartet playing a fair amount of new material with advanced singles like “All for Nothing“, “Signs” and title track “Artificial Icons” all taking pride of place. There is of course no cameo from Matthew K. Heafy of Trivium on the aforementioned “Signs” however hopefully one day he gets the opportunity to reprise his role at a festival or something because it would be amazing. It’s all crushing syncopated guitars, ripping solos and heartfelt clean choruses with new unreleased song “Critic” about people who haven’t achieved anything that shit upon the art of others making its live debut on this run. It’s an absolute banger which resonates lyrically, the band reaching into the void of Deathcore and Nu-Metalcore as it plays out. There is just one problem and that is using some backing tracked clean vocals to scream over on one or two occasions; surely one of the others can do that?

Tonight’s co-headlining band are French Progressive Technical Death Metal act Gorod [10/10] who leave no stone unturned in pursuit of perfection. From sweeping intricate solos to glorious tapping sections and insane riffs, they are both an enthralling and captivating watch, the crowd swaying as they blitz through cuts like “The Axe of God” and “We Are the Sun Gods” with consummate ease while loving every minute. Usually you can tell how technical a band is by how high they have their guitars strapped but bassist Benoit Claus is the exception to the rule, insisting on a low slung four string and playing with his fingers despite the technicality of what he needs to perform. He’s an absolute joy to watch with samba hips, big smiles and crazy eyebrows, all of which bring something different to the bands performance. Recent single “Forgiveness” is an intriguing addition to the set, the band bringing out a twin headed vertical standing guitar which one of their guitarist plays tapping sections on both necks of simultaneously with one hand on each. It’s stunning to watch and all done without looking which sounds impossible but he achieves it none the less.

Allegaeon [10/10] entertain the crowd as they sound check with a little “Sad But True” by Metallica on the six string bass as well as a couple of instantly recognisable drum fills before returning to the stage in time honoured fashion with a blistering rendition of “Threshold of Perception” to wake everyone from their between set slumber. Having witnessed them during the Riley McShane era, the opportunity to see them now on the tour for the brilliance that is “The Ossuary Lens” with Ezra Haynes front and centre is intriguing and the band don’t disappoint. Haynes is like an orchestra conductor for the audience, his hands following the drum patterns Jeff Saltzman lays down as he feels the music, twisting and contorting his body in between savage unclean vocal parts. Guitarist Michael Stancel’s clean vocals are also impressive as the band don’t miss a beat, barely pausing for breath between cuts like “The Swarm” and “Biomech – Vals No. 666” as they offer up a career spanning set of Technical Melodic Death Metal while musing on subjects of Philosophy, Science Fiction and Civilization. When they do pause to towel down Haynes is a man of few words, thanking the audience for being there and acknowledging the fire in everyone’s eyes as they bounce around, mosh and head-bang unprovoked. The energy is electric with “Of Beasts and Worms” from 2022’s “Damnum” and “Wake Circling Above” from last years “The Ossuary Lens” both going down a storm. What’s impressive is that quintet are able to keep all the intricacies and nuances in place, only using the backing track for some acoustic guitar parts. The grand finale is “Proponent for Sentience III – The Extermination” which finds both bassist Brandon Michael and guitarist Greg Burgess grinning from ear to ear. A glorious hour spent in the presence of a captivating and enthralling live band is time very well spent.