Fungus Brain – Psych/Post Rock/Metal Festival

SLIKNITA
To kick off Fungus Brain for the evening Sliknita opened with their post rock stylings, sounding bigger than ever. The three piece treated the crowd that had gathered early to a set full of shimmering guitars, sturdy bass lines and drums that had jazzy elements that moved into heavy rhythms seamlessly.
They floated between time signatures effortlessly as they delivered dreamy sections and frantic, heavier in-your-face moments in G Funk from their EP, The Prawn Variant. With a high energy they worked together to set the tone for the evening, delivering one hell of a strong set the tone for the evening. I can’t wait to see where Sliknita goes from here.

Ziggy’s Recommendation: Breathe – Sliknita

SKIN THIEF
Skin Thief could’ve brought the roof down with their colossal sound. The post metal three piece sent heads rolling with their heavy as fuck set, a mixture of tempos and time signatures sent the audience into a trance.
Their set featured songs with guitar that shifted between chiming cleans and crunchy distorted riffs, massively present bass that had elements of funk and drums that were clearly defined and technical. A song that demonstrates this clearly is The Law of Focus, which I’ve had stuck in my head since they played it. They’ll be heading to the studio in August to record new tunes so keep an eye out!

Ziggy’s Recommendation: Carbon Prayer – Skin Thief

HONEYBONE
Honeybone brought a set full of psych rock bangers, they owned the stage with a high energy presence that had the audience wrapped around their fingers. The slow, psych groove of Metathesiophobia sent the room into a trance as the three piece charged on with their incredibly massive sound and presence. 
Their set featured songs laced with distorted guitar moments that ranged from riffs to face melting solos, a turbocharged bass that rattled the floor, drums that provided a solid foundation whilst flowing from steady to complex arrangements – and shared vocal duties from the guitarist and drummer. If you want to have a good time I strongly suggest checking Honeybone out. 

Ziggy’s Recommendation: Metathesiophobia – Honeybone 

OCEANLORD
The lights dimmed as Oceanlord opened up a portal to the depths of the ocean with their stoner doom metal sound. Thundering bass lines pulsed along with steady, swaying drums that rolled on together as a gritty ambient guitar echoed above, with vocals that sounded like they were from somewhere ancient.
A few heads were sent banging during Isle of the Dead as the sound of atmospheric black metal chords echoed through the venue. The eerie chords were slowed down and paired with a pummelling bass and drum groove which created a unique sound, vocals loomed overhead painting a picture of unease, and I mean that in the best possible way.

Ziggy’s Recommendation: Kingdom – Oceanlord

ALL IS VIOLENT
A wave of instrumental post rock crashed through the Tote band room as All Is Violent took the stage, showcasing their hypnotic compositions against projections that created a perfect backdrop to captivate the room. 
The audience swayed as the three piece band took us on a journey that fluctuated between ambient and heavy riffs, served over a pounding bass that sounded absolutely massive and drums that flowed from complex patterns to steady rhythms. In perfect sync with one another they created a truly special atmosphere as the crowd watched on in awe. If you enjoy instrumental post rock, you’ll absolutely love All Is Violent. 

Ziggy’s Recommendation: Memory Complete – All Is Violent

MYRIAD DRONE
Myriad Drone shifted the energy in the room with their unique post metal sound by unleashing Forlorn Hope on the audience. Opening with rumbling drum fills, whirring guitars and ferocious bass before dropping us off into a haunting lull with soaring vocals – until they sent us back into the depths again.
Myriad Drone tore through their set with an infectious energy, with a killer performance of Arka Morgana being a personal highlight. They delivered what I can only describe as a cinematic post metal experience, weaving melancholic tales with hopeful silver linings through their compositions as they evoked another world inside the Tote band room, leaving the audience under their spell.

TREEBEARD
Treebeard took the audience and launched them into Great White, a post metal journey full of highs and lows which served as the perfect introduction to their sound. Followed by their latest single, Incognita, opening with gentle washed guitar chords that led to glimmering riffs, steady drum patterns and a delicate bass line that flows underneath, building and rising before delivering the heavier goods.
Heads were banging and the crowd feasted on the energy they delivered, and it got even more chaotic as they ripped into Mountain of Madness – an in your face serving of heavy riffs, driving bass, hard hitting drums and shrieking vocals calling from the void. They certainly left the audience wanting more.

Ziggy’s Recommendation: Incognita – Treebeard

MUSHROOM GIANT
Mushroom Giant took us on a journey with their psychedelic post rock tunes and projections, taking us through the elements of nature, serene landscapes and moments of art referencing the stars. They turned the Tote band room into their own curated environment.
Through delicate lulls and powerful riffs that rattled the walls, Mushroom Giant played a mesmerizing set featuring two new tracks from their upcoming record to the crowds delight, and an enthralling performance of crowd favourite Aire River Rapids. 
The four piece band work together to create a huge sound, with rumbling drums and bass roaring underneath buzzing, distorted riffs and moments of airy guitar leads that will get stuck in your head.
 
Ziggy’s Recommendation: Aire River Rapids – Mushroom Giant

GRINDING EYES
Psych rock heavy hitters Grinding Eyes put a distorted, riff driven end to the evening. The three piece band opened with an electric performance of Until It Falls Apart from their latest record, Taste The Monochrome. They delivered a perfect shot of energy to the crowd in the midnight hour.
Haunting vocals saturated with reverb, whirring distorted guitar riffs, solid pounding bass, hard and slow drums were all served over the foundation of a droning synth that filled the room. The audience fell into step with the band during their set, swaying to the energy of the tunes as they echoed into the late night – a perfect way to wrap up this incredible night.

Ziggy’s Recommendation: Until It Falls Apart – Grinding Eyes

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