Resurrection - Weekend 2 - Day II Sumeru, Astrodeath, Burden Man, Dust Devil and Mourners at Crowbar Sydney

Oct 29

Angela and Matt New.PNG — Photos By: **Angela New**

Review By: **Matt New**

Amidst the challenges our music community has faced in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, Sydney's Doom Metal seems to be fighting against the grain of a crippled industry. In collaboration with Crowbar Sydney, the Resurrection festival, the brainchild of photographer Grim Reflections, has given some of Sydney's heaviest underground bands a platform to be heard.

My first live music experience in over 7 months, this was a stark awakening into the strange but necessary evolution of the live music experience.  Full credit to Crowbar Sydney for flawlessly hosting and facilitating a Covid safe environment for all to enjoy a fun night out.

The intimate and warm atmosphere was a welcome change to the sweaty and usually chaotic moshpit vibe we had grown accustomed to. However, being able to be seated in the dim candle light glow over a beverage and food with mates brings a new kind of appreciation for viewing live music. 

Kicking off night two of the second week of this event was doom newcomers Mourners. A 3 piece ensemble that has only formed over the past few months, experiencing their first show. So fresh to the scene in fact, all their songs were untitled. Groovy and sludgy with captivating colours of bass and guitar solos, this is a band that has made a great start in finding their voice in a powerful scene.

Dust Devil were the next band of the evening, and from the first note were on point. A beautiful fusion of "ethereal" doom laced with Kyuss style riffs and haunting solos. Their sound was something to behold sending a captivated audience into a trance.

The revered Burden Man helped the evening hit the halfway mark in unique fashion. A brooding change of pace, their set kicked off seductively with the Nick Cave-esque croonings and ambient delayed layered guitars of front man Justin before descending into a powerful ball of distortion fuelled energy. This band offered much variety with their existential doom sound, making the most of any textures they could. Unique and mesmerising. 

Astrodeath have fast become one of Sydney's best up and coming bands, and they do it with only two band members. From start to finish throughout their set, they power through with a post grunge sensibility akin to Silverchair whilst frontman Tim Lancken screams voraciously channeling his Nick Olivieri. It is evident that their music is fuelled by the love of performing live so with restrictions easing there will be plenty of opportunities to see this band in the not too distant future.

Finally on the menu for the evening, Sydney's doom metal pioneers Sumeru. Every time this band hits the stage the energy lifts, and the mass of power you are presented with is set to hit all your senses hard. Sumeru welcomed new material into their set for this special occasion and the fans were glued to the stage in awe as they fired riff after riff with ferocity and intent. The benchmark for Aussie doom metal this band gets better and better with every show I have had the pleasure of seeing them. Looking forward to their next release as I was hinted that something may be around the corner, so get excited.