Hightailing it back from Derby to my home in South Wales, it was impossible not to reflect on the performance of Imperium at their headlining show at The Hairy Dog for the MTROFEST 24. A band I've followed since day one, they are now showing all the signs of an act that could lead the UK metal scene for the next two decades.
Tonight, Imperium head for Fuel Rock Club in the Welsh Capital for their debut Welsh show. It's about time, and despite the small turnout, those that make the effort are rewarding with a headline show worthy of venues ten times the size.
Before the Londoners show us how it's done, two Welsh bands get the venue warmed up in fine style. First up, it's the groove thrash of Haverfordwest boys In Which it Burns. They've been through multiple line-up changes over the years, but frontman Wayne 'Stretch' Mayhew and lead guitarist Steve Flynn know what they are doing (despite Stretch's protestations). They play a fast and furious set, throwing in tracks from their forthcoming album alongside older songs that are known to me and a few others in the audience. Lyrically astute, raging at injustice and hypocrisy, IWIB are tight, lean, and impressive. There's an enthusiastic mosh rumble, whilst a couple of very young fans are later seen sporting IWIB beanies with joy. IWIB are in the quarterfinals of the South Wales Metal to the Masses and with a good wind could easily do some damage. Slightly further East than IWIB's Pembrokeshire lair is Neath, home of Madicide. The boys were in Derby the day before, giving their all, and despite the travel miles, tonight they once again bring all their enthusiasm to a 35-minute set that draws from their discography that dates back over a decade. No Josh 'Bean' on bass again, but he's ably replaced by Elliot Morgan, who slots in with an energy that fits right in with the chaos that Madicide bring. Their raw and rudimentary thrash metal brings a smile to the face, with the carnage of Death March, Killing Machine and The Pit and the Pendulum all delivered with an anarchic panache. They won't win the best musician of the night award, but they always have fun, and that is gold. They are deep into their tour, using their weekends to get around venues in the UK, but Imperium aren't showing any signs of fatigue. It's hot, cramped in comparison to the night before, but nothing fazes this outfit. They bring a blistering show, refusing to ease up on the pace for one minute. Vocalist Ben Porter is in the form of his life, a new approach to his technique paying dividends; he's never sounded better.
Imperium draw from their two EPs and get the mini pits back in action with some enthusiastic action during Ragnarok, the massive Iron Thunder and the singalong Here Comes the Night. The crowd may be small, but they ensure Imperium will return to Wales with a hugely enthusiastic response. By the time they hit When Kings Meet, which is sounding massive, it's a resounding triumph. Imperium have scaled the castle walls and now stand atop in majestic splendour. You should get to one of their gigs whilst you can, because these boys won't be playing up close and personal for much longer.
Review and photos by Hutch https://www.facebook.com/hutch224
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