This gig review is awfully late, but as they say, better later than sorry. With some minor glitches and of course the usual monetary hanky-panky, the Only The Strong Survive – Hardcore Punk Fest last March 20, 2010 was an overall success. Scores of bands, from within the city and nearby came in attendance for the much awaited comeback gig after 3 months of COT's momentary hiatus. Yes! City of Thornz Hardcore is here to stay!
The anticipation was suddenly greeted with the usual air of pinoy punctuality – as it is relevant to almost all scenes in the Phil. – it was past 7:00pm and there were no complete bands in sight; only a handful loyal scenesters who made sure that the instruments, particularly the drums, sound near to what it should sound like. As the crowd outside the venue was piling up and after a long time of waiting and waiting for the first lined-up band to show up complete for the gig to start, the organizers were confronted by a problem long believed to have halted existence; there wasn't an on-stage guitar! But this problem was quickly resolved by the dashing and deceptively astute organizers, and after having found the much needed instrument the show finally STARTED!
Disclaimer : The reporter's capacity for storing and retrieving information is not that adept, and sincerely apologizes to those bands whose name he has forgotten, or even fail to mention for that matter. No worries though because, if the names of your bands should come up in his mental plate any time soon, shall be included on the succeeding posts! And the bands appearing on the review might not be in the order as they have appeared on that fine night.
The first band, hmmmm, whose name didn't really register, played covers of notable and singable punk rock tunes which was all that it takes to get their crowd of mohawked and spiked crowd outside to start into a frenzy.
This is were the funky memory starts to take its toll, so the bands appearing from here on, are not necessarily in correct order.
It does not take a genius to guess what Kami Oi's delivery of the night. Even though they were nicely dressed for the occasion, kinda reminds you of your niece's christening day, with their long sleeves and suspenders, they haven't really given justice to the songs they were playing. Carrying a lyric sheet on stage for a cover song does not really appeal to me.
Pains, Logs and Diaries from Kidapawan City played some intense progressive brand of hardcore, with emo-ish guitar blends, fast parts, some beatdowns here and there. What I personally like about this band is that they can craftily add their dub breakdowns after the brash of heavy parts.
Direct from General Santos City is the .50 caliber which delivers heavy pounding metal-hardcore packed with grinding blast beats, beatdowns and slow moving sludge that draw the first blood of mad pit hysteria. If there is a prize for the overall most hardcore outfit of the night, these guys can snatch it without much of an effort.
One of Davao City's prime bands played in your face hardcore, Iron Will, throwing a dash of metal overtones with fast and crazy adrenaline filled fast parts to spew some intense circle pits of the night.
Another of COT's finest to have played for the night is Caitlyn Bailey. It seem a coincidence that their changing drummer has to do with their change of musical style. Regardless, dare I not say Math, but it's it's all math to me. They have refined they brand of progressive style of hardcore to exhaustion throwing in some crust-core parts in the i-got-lost-in-the-count speed.
COT's beatdown kings, Roundhead, played a furious set with what else – no holds barred chugga-chugging. The crowd jostled in for another round of ground and pound slam pit frenzy.
Straight from Polomolok City is Sacrifix. Delivering their angst filled spite of grueling heavy hardcore, reminiscent of early Earth Crisis.
Hmmmm. This band from Panabo City brought in some sick hardcore a-la Blood for Blood. At this time cardiovascular deficiency set in and most were exhausted to their seats enjoying some blatant music away from the pit.
Anxiety to Hysteria played their usual hymns of brutal 90's hardcore but has not really inspired the activity on the pit. This mainly because of starting their set with post-metallish and sluggishly dragging experiment, whose somber energy resonated through-out their set.
Last but not the least is hmmmm, another band whose name I forgot, but good friend, and can be considered fossils of Davao City Hardcore. They played Hatebreed and Earth Crisis inspired spews which didn't turn out too well on the consideration that they may have had more of their alcoholic fix for the night.
Well, that's it for this late and lengthy report. Hope to see you guys this April for another brawl at the pit!! City of Thornz Hardcore Represent!!
Til next time! Stay Positive!
Photos courtesy of Chay and Fae
