We find ourselves in Huddersfield at the cosy downstairs dive venue at the Parish to witness one of the UK underground’s most exciting bands. Hidden Mothers sent out a contender for album of the year in the dying breaths of 2024 that set a huge mission statement for this year. Today, we find out how they intend to follow this up in the live arena, and we are very, very excited about that prospect. They’re not alone; they’ve brought an equally weighty three-band support lineup. So, we descend into the Parish’s underbelly and strap in for this mouthwatering matinee show.
Up first Manchester’s Fatalist bring discordant mathy post metal vibes. They possess an excellent musicality especially in their rhythm section with exemplary drumming throughout. At times bringing to mind Neurosis especially vocally. Twisted spidery reverberated guitar work tops out their ominous sound with excellent noise rock flourishes. Their passionate performance sets the scene nicely.
There’s a truly monstrous noise filling the venue and that can only mean the majestically bleak Still have taken the stage with their post black metal onslaught. The three-piece released one of the best forward-thinking blackened collections last year with their awesome A Theft, which you can find at their Bandcamp; we thoroughly recommend it! Filling these aptly subterranean surroundings with pummeling drums and echoing haunting guitars drenched in effects, Still are an unsettling immersive experience and it’s one we’ll watch over and over again.
Sheffield,” Steel City Hardcore,” Bruisers Nylon are up next with a much more confrontational approach. Stomping beatdowns and razor-sharp riffing are the order of the day, and on a personal note, it’s nice to watch hardcore without fear of a boot in our face. Nylon are satisfyingly chunky and genuinely happy to be here, a nice hardcore band who aren’t berating us for being pussies is a refreshing change, and many other bands should take note, this is how I remember great hardcore bands. Unity vibes and mutual respect.
We love the fact that frontman James Bell tells us he’ll probably thank all the bands again because “it kills a bit of time,” before saying, “This is a song called Starbeast, and it’s about Xenomorphs,” fantastic! No song lasts more than 2 minutes, which is as it should be, and they have a song called Tipping Point, which, as much as we’d like it to be, probably isn’t about our favourite game show. A cover of Cro Mags Hard Times is brilliantly placed and executed, and with that, we have a new favourite UK hardcore act.
Today is all about Hidden Mothers, though; the Sheffield-based four-piece have had an extraordinary couple of years, and this mostly sold-out tour serves as an excellent warm-up for a busy festival season for them. Opening with the incredible leadoff single Defanged, seeing Hidden Mothers in this intimate setting is already a treat. The track’s tumbling swung groove, and lush, clean-sung passages set the band’s massively high standard. Album highlight and second single, Still Sickness, follows, and we are collectively swooning.
Hidden Mothers have us immediately with them, cheering them on as we have since we first witnessed them. Smashing out two singles straight away at the start of a set is a bold move for any band, but not every band has an album as consistently brilliant as Erosion/Avulsion behind them.
Death Curls brings its skittering beats and Luke Scrivens’ beautiful singing voice to the fore with Arian Malkepour’s savvy guitar work and Liam Knowles’s thunderous roar, and it seems like no one at this point can touch them in terms of individuality and charm. Violet Sun is truly hypnotic, snaking its way through the ears of all present and grabbing one per cent of our attention. Tonight, they leave us with the hugely heartfelt Haze, and we feel every last ounce of the weight behind this exceptional collective.
Tonight, to watch this band for what we’re sure will be the last time they play a stage this size was an absolute privilege. Hidden Mothers remain our tip for the next big thing. Moshtradamus has spoken!
Review By George Miller β https://www.facebook.com/oneflamemedia
Photos By: je.peg – https://www.instagram.com/je.peg/
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