Three words sum up Ocean Sleeper’s performance at The Crowbar on Saturday night the 30th of November: loud, heavy and sold-out. The event kicked off by offering some of Melbourne’s finest heavy metal acts a venue to go toe-to-toe with the Brisbane heavy metal music scene.
Local act Days Like These came out swinging, followed by the one-two punch of fellow Brissy outfits Shorelines and Stepson. But the gloves really came off when Ocean Sleeper stepped into the melee. Graceful melodies teamed with pummelling, primal rhythms put the audience on the ropes as they delivered one knock out song after another.
The crowd rolled with the punches and gave as good as they got at the Crowbar slugfest, matching Ocean Sleeper’s assault with energy and enthusiasm. The bare knuckle brawl went on for four hours until both sides returned to their respective corners.
Ocean Sleeper proved themselves as a metalcore band unafraid to go the distance with any audience the heavy metal scene can offer. Their debut record, Don’t Leave Me This Way (released November 8), offers fans inspiring lyrics and devastating guitars, bass and drums; and is a fine addition to the Australian music landscape. The night was a triumph for all: the sellout slugfest will surely pave the way for many more of its kind in the future.
- The Cosmic Bogan