It’s a rare privilege these days when you have a metal line up like the Secrets Tour provided. Better than finding that R50 note you forgot in a pair of jeans or an old jacket when payday seems so far away. This magical line-up included I AM, OneDaySky, A Fate Like Yours, Facing the Gallows and Secrets (USA) in case you were one of the few that did not hear about it.
Sundowners hosted this event: small intimate and just what you would expect from the scene, leaving the venue tightly packed with eager fans. Thanks to a window on the side of the stage, my own private VIP area was created. High five to convenience.
As the night progressed the bands of the night rip-roared through so much of awesome, getting the crowds pumping to an ungodly level of excitement-filled mosh pits. Singers that were more metal than Colossus playing with himself. Riffs that… well, you would have had to hear it to understand… were metal AF.
I AM dropped their electric alternative beat, destined for some seriously infectious ear worms – #mootpop all the way. Their mix of raw alternative passion backed by deep layers of funky beats set the pace for an amazing evening. Guys, get that music out there — I need more of this, please. For those that haven’t heard them, make sure to find them and enjoy.
OneDaySky were next to grace the stage with their beautiful ambient sounds laying the foundation to hard-hitting riffs and fuelling the fantastical lyrics of frontman Clinton Watts. These guys rarely play shows, so seeing them is such a treat. They are like the yeti of the of the metal scene. You hear about them but don’t know how large they are till you see actually get to see them. Luckily for you there is another chance in June. Don’t be that guy who misses it.
“Do you even metal, bro?” is the best quote I heard that evening – inspired by A Fate Like Yours’s set. These guys have been on a hiatus for the four years, but were still one of the most talked about bands of the night. Singer and front man Bradley Morrison had recently been in an accident but was still an enticing presence on stage — despite being in a neck brace he still smiled and made it look easy. It’s good to have you guys back.
Coming hot off the release of their new album Dead Mindset, Facing the Gallows blew everyone away with unadulterated energy and passion. That fearsome double bass penetrating every inch of the crowd. Oh, so dirty; a consistent contender in the metal scene and for a good reason.
And if the night wasn’t already made by that support line up, watching Secrets from my “VIP seat” was the tipping point. The band gets one of my highest praises: I like you better than your records/ CDs or however the kids are listening to you these days. I hope you enjoyed our country as much as I enjoyed you.
Last and definitely not least, thank you to Jam Packed productions. The metal scene in this country has an amazing fan base. More people I talked to were there for the local bands more than the international. This is a constant I see with our local scene — bands that where on a hiatus and come back, still having fans that will gush over them and be on the front lines of the crowd.
This shows how important this scene is to the people, the fans, the ones that mater. One of the sad truths is that not many festivals or clubs still cater to the metal scene on a regular basis. So, thank you Jam Packed for making the world a little MOAR METAL. We’re ooking forward to all the new events that are coming our way.
