Review: Perturbator @Lion Arts Factory 18/02/23
On the Periodic Table, the number of metalloids is seven and the number of metals is 93. Should we discuss how many types of musical metal exist?
Words by Will Oakeshott
Perturbator wGost & The Condos @ Lion Arts Factory 18/02/23
“Music changes, and I’m gonna change right along with it.” – Aretha Franklin.
It may seem paradoxical to begin a heavy metal rave event with a quote from the ‘Queen of Soul’, however, the statement captures something these touring artists have cultivated in their own collective rights. Essentially, isn’t change what art does?
Local quartet The Condos flawlessly set the tone for the evening with their darkened post-punk formula. Featuring songs mostly off their new EP Attachment (with ‘Cost Of Living’ being a gloomy highlight), swirls of Joy Division, The Crüxshadows and Clan Of Xymox echoed and bounced off the walls of Lion Arts Factory. The growing audience was hypnotised by the wonderful wickedness of the four-piece. The descent into darkness had properly begun…
A newsreel soundtrack discussing satanism hummed through the venue’s speakers as two musicians emerged to introduce themselves as metallic dark synth American outfit GosT – and all without using a single word. A sudden thunderous resonance deafened the crowd, a turbulent combination of eerie keyboard bass-driven metallic dubstep. It pulsated the willing festival goers, who could only marvel or move with the blasting beats. GosT was certainly near the levels of The Prodigy with new wave fluctuations of Ministry; but they were also morphing into Paganizer and Mayhem, such was the metallic darkness with windmills and beer sculling.
Light had now become a memory. An enigmatic blue murkiness overtook the building; bodies were present, but faces were not visible. The aura was not of planet Earth, more so the world of Zion from The Matrix – it was time for Adelaide to enjoy The Other Place.
The French synth wave mastermind Perturbator (real name James Kent) did not need to speak to spark the countless attendees – he just held out his fist, unifying his devotees. As if time was no longer in existence, the head-banging, dancing and wavering of shadows heaved as if it were the rapids of a wild river. ‘Death Of The Soul’ and ‘Humans Are Such Easy Prey’ were pinnacles, suiting Mr Kent’s black metal beginnings, although the whole presentation was a wintry wonder.
On the Periodic Table, the number of metalloids is seven and the number of metals is 93. Should we discuss how many types of musical metal exist?
