Live Review: Defects – Satan's Hollow, Manchester
31st May 2024
Support: Black Coast and Alchemize
Words & Photos: Julian Tanner
A second trip to see defects in Manchester in recent times, I saw their killer set as main support to Orbit Culture on their recent debut headline tour. Tonight sees them at Satans Hollow, a great little venue which seems very popular with bands embarking on inaugural headline tours or celebrating album releases. With a stage that is in the middle of the room giving all round viewing, amazing decor and friendly staff I can see why. This is the last of three dates to celebrate the release of debut album 'Modern Error'.
First to take to the stage tonight is Alchemize, a pop fusion band from the local area. Having released their first track 'Mixed Signals' at the end of March, it's early days for the band as they perform at only their third show. A funky intro tape welcomes them to the stage, along with some funky moves from singer Connor Blackwood, which continues throughout the energetic set and permeates the crowd as the first mosh pit of the evening opens up. Alchemize certainly come across as a band more accomplished than their three shows suggest, and could be one to watch out for in the future.
Next up are Black Coast from Stoke-on-Trent. They've been around since 2016 and certainly seem to have more than a few fans and friends amongst the crowd. There's a lot of interaction as the crowd sings along with front man Charlie Hewitt, before a couple of close friends join them during different songs to help out on vocal duties, with the crowd energy really starting to get going with more mosh pits opening up.
Now it's time for Defects, performing their new album 'Modern Error' in full. A deeply personal collection of songs that tell the story of how the band members, and in particular vocalist Tony Maue, have arrived at this point in their lives. The band appear to have been completely energised by the opening shows on this run and are off to a roaring start.
Tony switches with ease between clean and harsh lyrics, David on bass, absent from the Orbit Culture show due to illness iirc, doesn't keep still for a second, bouncing around the stage making sure everyone around it is included in the show. Guitarists Luke and James shred the heavy riffs which pound the speakers, and also provide the solos which ring out throughout the venue, while Harry at the back on drums keeps time perfectly.
The singing back of the lyrics by the crowd, the mosh pits and the banging of heads becomes even more intensified as the evening goes on and the band are relishing it. With the evening coming to a close, just for a moment, whether it's the emotion of a deeply personal song, or the emotion of the whole evening and tour coming to a close, Tony seems overcome, takes a moment to breathe and then composes himself to see out the show.
A circle pit around the room accompanies the final song of the evening, before the calls for "one more song" begin. As Tony points out, the problem here being that they've already played the whole album, cue the calls to play it again from start to finish!! The hungry crowd have to make do with an acapella sing along of the chorus from Dream Awake, which keeps them satisfied. Next up for Defects is the Dogtooth Stage at Download, you should definitely go see them!
Photo credits: Julian Tanner
1 Trackback / Pingback
Comments are closed.