The walls of The Asylum reverberated with yet another fantastic night of Extreme Metal, with The Acacia Strain, Judiciary and Fuming Mouth delivering a communal experience for the assembled throng.
The Acacia Strain – Judiciary – Fuming Mouth
Asylum, Birmingham – 2 July 2024
Words And Photography: Andy Shaw
The Acacia Strain
The Asylum buzzed with excitement as fans eagerly anticipated the headliners, The Acacia Strain. The atmosphere crackled with raw energy and palpable excitement.
From the get-go, it was clear that this was not just a concert but a communal experience. Fans created a huge circle pit, and others headbanged to every beat, creating a sea of movement that reflected the intensity of the music.
The Acacia Strain delivered a powerful set that spanned their discography, The Beast immediately grabbing the crowd’s attention with its crushing breakdowns.
Dr. Doom, a fan favourite, had everyone chanting along, and with Whoa! Shut It Down, the groove-laden riffs kept the energy high. The Hills Have Eyes, with its haunting intro, created a chilling atmosphere before plunging into chaos, while Carbomb was a relentless display of speed and aggression.
The Acacia Strain were in top form, demonstrating technical proficiency and tight coordination. Vocalist Vincent Bennett commanded the stage with his guttural growls and engaging presence, often reaching out to fans and interacting with the front rows.
The guitar work by Devin Shidaker and Tom ‘The Hammer’ Smith were particularly notable, delivering both crushing riffs and intricate leads. Griffin Landa on bass and Kevin Boutot on drums provided a solid and thunderous rhythm section that kept the momentum going throughout the set.
The Acacia Strain’s stage presence was formidable. Bennett’s vocal delivery was as intense as ever, his growls and screams reverberating through and bouncing off the walls of Asylum. His interaction with the audience, whether through direct eye contact or his commanding gestures, created a powerful connection.
The band’s energy was infectious, with members moving in sync with the music, their expressions reflecting the intensity of each song, while the lighting was appropriately dramatic, enhancing the mood of each song with deep reds and blues added to the intensity of the performance.
The Acacia Strain delivered a short but sweet set, reaffirming their status as one of the most compelling acts in the Deathcore and Metalcore scenes. Their ability to engage and energise the crowd, coupled with their musical prowess, made for an unforgettable evening.
There was something for everyone in the make-up of the set, making this gig a triumph for both the band and their fans. Their live show is a testament to their enduring appeal and their ability to evolve while staying true to their heavy roots. Fans of extreme music should not miss the chance to see them live.
Judiciary
Second on the bill were Judiciary, from Lubbock, Texas, who delivered a powerful set that spanned their discography, with a focus on tracks from their latest album Flesh + Blood and earlier releases like Surface Noise.
Vocalist Jake Collinson dominated the stage, his intense delivery and aggressive demeanour commanding the audience’s attention. Guitarists Israel Garza and Kyle Calfin brought a relentless energy, their riffing precise and powerful. Drummer Austin Scott-Looney and bassist Jerel Ramirez kept the rhythm section tight, providing a thunderous backbone to the performance.
Collinson’s interaction with the crowd was a highlight, from calling for circle pits to engaging with fans between songs. His charisma and connection with the audience fueled their set, creating a dynamic and immersive experience.
Judiciary have an aggressive style. The guitars were sharp and punchy, the bass was heavy and resonant, and the drums crisp. This is a forceful combination that drove a really impactful set.
Fans were actively engaged throughout the set, reflecting the band’s powerful influence on their audience. Judiciary delivered a blistering and unforgettable performance, reaffirming their status as a leading force in the Hardcore scene.
Their set was a masterclass in combining aggression with technical precision that was both brutal and exhilarating.
Fuming Mouth
First up were Fuming Mouth, from Milford, Massachusetts, who provided an explosive showcase of Death Metal prowess. The band’s blend of raw aggression and intricate musicality was on full display from the moment they took the stage.
Opening with Master Of Extremity, Fuming Mouth set the tone for their set. The track’s brooding atmosphere gave way to relentless riffing, immediately engaging the crowd. The sheer intensity of their performance was undeniable, with frontman and guitarist Mark Whelan’s guttural vocals resonating through the venue, carrying both emotional depth and visceral power.
As they powered through Fatalism, Road To Odessa, and latest single Daylight Again, the three piece band, including Patrick Merson on bass and Keith Goldoni on drums, showed they had a tight musical bond and dynamic stage presence that captivated the audience.
The crushing breakdowns and relentless drumming provided a cathartic release, while the melodic undertones added layers of complexity to their sound.
The Asylum crowd were into the music straight away, and Fuming Mouth’s connection with their fans was palpable, feeding off the energy in the room and driving their performance to greater heights.
A standout moment came during The Silence Beyond Life, where the band’s ability to blend atmospheric elements with their aggressive sound truly shone. The song’s haunting intro, juxtaposed with ferocious riffs, created a mesmerising contrast that left a lasting impression.
Fuming Mouth delivered a masterful performance that showcased their evolution as a band. Their ability to channel raw emotion and technical skill into a compelling live show is a testament to their prowess as musicians. Their set demonstrated why Fuming Mouth continues to rise in the extreme Metal scene, proving that their live shows are an experience not to be missed.
