CRYPTOPSY – Dublin – The Pint

It is a Bank Holiday Friday and the venue is heaving. News of Jeff Hanneman’s untimely death has been filtering through the interweb all day, with the promoters promising wall to wall Slayer between sets and perhaps a few who have come out in search of metal and beer on this tragic occasion.

First to take the stage is Santa Cruz act Decrepit Birth. Their brand of ‘almost technical’ death metal is too middle-of-the road for my liking – they lack the brutality and power to stick the crowd to the wall and their grooves are for the most part ineffectual. Singer Bill Robinson isn’t as charismatic as he thinks his dreads make him and overall the lack of any real spark makes this a pretty flat set.

Up next is San Diegans Cattle Decapitation with their brand of vegetarian, anti-human death-grind. It is clear from the barrage coming from the PA that they didn’t just come for the Guinness. Fans of the band who haven’t seen them live before have a jaw-drop moment as they realise that singer Travis can easily reproduce anything he can do in the studio up on stage. Not only is his voice truly distinctive, but his stage persona and the energy he puts into the performance make him a top flight frontman. Josh and Derek are tight as tight on guitar and bass, and Dave McGraw does a masterful job behind the kit. Another thing that sets Cattle Decapitation above the competition is their ability to create a mood in the space of just two or three notes, meaning that when they slow things down, they can quickly change the atmosphere or feel of the song, adding dynamics and depth. A truly epic performance.

Last to take the stage is Cryptopsy. Matt McGachy’s hair looks great, the crunchy guitar is turned up to 12 and Flo’s kit sounds awesome. But that is where the fun ends. I’ve never really gotten why people like this act so much. I think Flo is a good, but ultimately overrated drummer (check out his solo on the Nader Sadek live album if you don’t agree). I think some of the riffs work really well, but most of all, the thing I can’t understand is why they would replace a shite vocalist (Lord Worm) with someone who has such a similar style. I have always felt the vocals in Cryptopsy wrecked what could have been a decent band and after the gig, I am even more committed to that belief. Two tracks in and I was off to the bar to have a pint and chat with Cattle Decapitation and raise a glass to Jeff. A fitting end to a great night!