CryptalDarknessOnJune282002

Being on holidays and having finished my university exams for this semester, I figured I had sweet bugger nothing to do but to mosey on down to the Forest Inn, where Melbourne's own doom/goth metal outfit, Cryptal Darkness, were playing. Support acts were Sydney's own Lycanthia, and some band whose name I don't know.

First up was the unknown band. Not much to 'write home about', I must admit, and they certainly DID NOT prepare me for what was to come next!!!! But if any one can tell me who they are, please email me here.

Second on the bill was Lycanthia, a rather promising 6-piece doom/goth/death metal band hailing from Sydney, much in the same vein as Amorphis (I say 'promising' because this is the first time I have seen them live). I came mostly to see the band because of Lee (who is a friend of my friend, Kim West) and Giv (who I had seen around at past gigs but did not know he was also a band member). Lee's growly vocals contrasted sharply with Mandy's rather 'pristine' ones, and Vanessa's gothic-style keyboard playing juxtaposed rather nicely with Giv's style of lead guitar. I wish I had seen this band before when they did play (at Bloodlust last year and at Club 77 earlier on). Too bad I didn't. However, I did pick a good time to see them because I understand that the band is undergoing a few line-up changes, and this is the last gig with Vanessa (the keyboard player) with the band.

Last but not least was Cryptal Darkness, even more doomy and dirgelike than Lycanthia, whose music is reminiscent of Cathedral (but even more slow than that). This is also the first time I have seen and heard them, and if I did hear them before, it has been a long time. An unusual, but good, band I must say.

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