Live Review - Circles

January 14, 2012 – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne

Melbourne metal quintet, Circles, kicked off their first official east coast tour at The Corner last night, playing the launch party for Australia’s newest metal music publication, Heavy.  On paper it seems like a perfect fit, a metal band playing for a metal magazine.  But we all know that life is never quite that simple.  Last night presented a challenge for the band, known for their unique sound (they’ve been compared to bands as diverse as Faith No More, Incubus, Meshuggah, Textures and Periphery) they were playing to a crowd who generally don’t like their heavy music to stray too far from the early Metallica/Pantera sound.  But, having won over a considerable fan base in Europe without ever touring there, Circles have spent a considerable amount of time plugging away at the local scene in order to ensure that they are just as loved here, as they are overseas. And win over new fans they did.

Opening with the pummelling dubstep infused Frontline, Circles began displaying the kind of power they are capable of and, very quickly, heads and bodies in the crowd began moving.  Vocalist Perry Kakridas was pitch perfect throughout the performance, displaying a new found harshness in his voice.  So far, Circles releases have displayed Kakridis’ ultra smooth vocals, capable of soaring highs without descending into the super clean whine that has become commonplace in some heavy music sub-genres.  But Kakridis has begun to blur the lines between his singing and screaming tones adding more power and aggression to Circles’ sound and I’m sure it will be a feature that is explored further on their debut album scheduled for release some time in 2012.  On top of this, Kakridis conversed with the audience between songs avoiding the usual metal front man posturing.  When he talks to the audience, he talks to them as though they are his friends, thankful that they have come to see the band play and thankful that the crowd is enjoying it.

The band also made the best of being relegated to the smaller Corner Hotel stage.  Despite having to play almost shoulder to shoulder, it didn’t stop guitarist Ted Furuhashi who seemed to be determined to break his own neck by the end of the set.  Bassist Drew Patton’s usual stage antics were curbed slightly after a few close calls with Kakridis, but when Patton’s on stage, few are safe as he throws his body around, kicking nearly everything in sight.  Even between songs Patton flicked bottle tops, laughing at whichever band mate felt the brunt.  The stage set up pushed guitarist Matty Clarke into a corner (who can blame him, he generally has to perform right next to Patton), but he did give the crowd some choice facial expressions while rocking his head back and forth giving the impression that he could take out just about anyone with a quick head butt.  Drummer, David Hunter, was solid as always, providing the backbone to the band with a brand new kit (which took up much of the stage space) making the band sound bigger and heavier than they have at previous shows, which is a feat in itself.

The highlight of the set would have to have been The Design taken from the band’s 2011 EP, The Compass.  Live, this song becomes a totally different beast compared with its recorded version.  It takes on a menacing quality, winding from section to section like a snake determined to make its prey (the audience) feel as uncomfortable as possible before moving in for the kill.  And when the audience felt as though they couldn’t take any more, the band closed with their most well known song, Clouds Are Gathering, ensuring that the audience got everything they wanted out of the performance with its massive middle section, again, forcing heads to move back and forth.

After the performance, it was quite clear that new fans had indeed been made with a line forming at the merch stand immediately after their set.  On top of this, the members of the band circulated through the crowd afterwards, always making themselves available to anyone who wants to talk to them about music or just to congratulate them on a great set.  Overall, Circles couldn’t have asked for a better opening to their east coast Eye Embedded tour, ensuring that they are pumped and primed for tonight’s show in Geelong and dates in Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast and Ballarat that will see them through until mid-February before another home town show for Moshphere Festival in mid-March.  Do yourself a favour and check them out!