Written by: Tom Wilson
Photos by: Tracy McLaughlan >> SEE PHOTOS

Thrashers Lay Waste to the Triffid

Four men quietly take to the stage before kicking off a storm of belligerent, pissed-off hardcore, and WESTERN PLEASURE’s frontman transforms into a snarling, agitated madman, wrapping the mic cord around his throat and stalking around the stage with bug-eyed intensity. You don’t dare take your eyes off him for the entirety of their set, partly because he’s a passionate performer and partly because you think he might pounce on you when you’re not looking.

A pit breaks out halfway through their first song and grows through their set. I haven’t been this impressed with an opening act since BLIND GIRLS opened for FRONTIERER in 2022, so do yourself a favour and check them out at the PFR Lounge (formerly King Lear’s Throne) on July 26th. As he shouts during their track 1312, “Do as you’re fucking told!”

Such was the ferocity of the opening act that CRYPTIVORE’s death metal assault seems almost subdued by comparison, but what they might lack in onstage volatility, they made up in downright meaty riffs and Taylor Burnett’s borderline subterranean lows. Tight as a drum, their old school death goes down a treat, if the numerous stank-faces and power-frowns in the front row are anything to go by. Their fans have put on a good showing in the crowd tonight, and some choice heckling gets a giggle out of drummer Cliff Young. Ace.

It's been ten long years since Florida thrash maniacs MUNICIPAL WASTE have graced our stages, and from the beaming smile of Tony Foresta, they’re just as happy to see us as we are to see them. They plunge into The Executioner/Sweet Attack from Waste ‘Em All, and the centre of The Triffid becomes a whirlpool of long hair, denim, sew-on patches and sweat. The energy doesn’t dip all night, either onstage or off.

“Is weed illegal here?” Tony asks, before smiling. “Mixed response! Is crowdsurfing illegal?” He likes what he hears, and as the high-velocity thrash resumes, crowdsurfers start to tumble across the crowd into the waiting arms of security. Hell, even a steel barstool is surfed overhead as Tony demands faster and faster circle pits. The vibe is perfect, and MUNICIPAL WASTE have not forgotten The Art of Partying – Tony living up to the band’s name by hauling a rubbish bin out from backstage and hurling it onto the crowd. The bin gets up-ended, and there is food scraps and trash everywhere. MUNICIPAL WASTE – a band that truly live up to their name. An awesome night.

Photos by: Tracy McLaughlan
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