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| Photo: WdN-vdB |
U.K. postpunk band DEADLETTER whipped Paradiso's behind in a way that may have reminded the eldest present of its early punk days in 1977, when almost all the biggest punk acts of the day played there. Something that was way out of reach for someone living in the province.
That was one of the nice to see features of this show. From 70 to teenagers, everyone was there to enjoy the manifestation of what is generally called postpunk. DEADLETTER came into my life with its debut album ''Hysterical Strength' from 2024, followed this winter by 'Existence Is Bliss'. Both albums share postpunk rhythms with guitar sound experimentations, a saxophone and a talk-singing vocalist. Both albums are good but not exceptional in the sense of a mind blowing experience. Live though, things become different. DEADLETTER is a well-oiled musical machine ready to take on any hall or field and fill it with ecstasy. The band is more than ready for the next level.
The show captured me for the whole of the time. Not for a single second it had me thinking, isn't this becoming slightly boring or had me wondering about the build up of the show. Right in the very first song Zac Lawrence jumped into the audience to get the crowd going. And so it did. Not so much in arms and limbs injuries defying moshpits but in total rapture and movement with the rhythm.
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| Photo: WdN-vdB |
That rhythm is the basis of a DEADLETTER show. The drums are the most prominent sound in the band's live mix. A deep bass drum and an oh-so dry snare that wackes everybody into full attention. All the other instruments and vocals were second to the drum. (I listened to the last past of the final song totally in the back of the venue and could not believe how bad the sound was there. Just the drums and a muffled bass remained. All else seemed to drop away there. The sound was great somewhere half way on the side.) The saxophone that is a huge feature in the band's sound could have been somewhat more present, while the percussion he played also was extremely well-heard. DEADLETTER is all about rhythm I concluded.
The lead guitarist may not have played one single chord in the whole show. An amazing variety of sounds came from his guitar and pedal board. The other guitarist played brutal chords and accents accentuating parts of songs. The bass player also has some parts that stand out immediately. Singer Zac Lawrence has it in him to command legions. One more album of this quality and the band will rise even more than it has already today.
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| Photo: WdN-vdB |
Ireland's Bleech 9:3 is a band with potential, but also a band in search of itself. It found an audience that was more than willing to be convinced and even had the start of a following in front of the stage. The band is still deciding it seems where it wants to go. Part was punk(ish), part Nirvana and part alternative rock (ballads). As far as I am concerned the latter two were the best songs by far. The punk part sounded somehow less inspired and more of what had come before. The show come alive when the tempo went down just a little, inventive riffs flew around and emotions were easier to show. The singer and lead-guitarist divided drawing attention to themselves, with the guitarist winning on points with his glasses, Adidas flairs and posing. The singer is more punk and angrier it seemed from a distance. The verdict, Bleech 9:3 may well be on route to something good and who knows even more.
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| Photo: WdN-vdB |
Maha is Dutch and seems to revolve around it's singer, as she kept saying "I" and then something. She was also a bit in awe of standing on stage in Paradiso. The electronic rhythms were as dark and brooding like anything coming out of the early 80s. I was catapulted back well over 40 years ago. Some of the songs remained too stark and monotonous for me. Others came totally alive and made me listen attentively. The singer has a great voice and the bass player is really something and was strutting around as if she owned Paradiso. The guitarist filled in all the holes left by the rest with swathes of guitar sounds and tight lead lines. Also Maha got my benefit of the doubt.
Wout de Natris - van der Borght
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