Live Review: Circles, Orsome Welles, Teramaze

Teramaze look relaxed and confident as they line up their guitars to the background music. Taking their places, there’s an anticipation-filled moment before they start. An immediately overwhelming rocky beat takes hold and we begin. Undoubtedly strong performers, they have the ability to command the crowd's attention through their movements. The strong, never faltering howls of Nathan Peachey and crafty riffs from guitarist Dean Wells set the mood in motion.

The crowd is already pumped when Orsome Welles step onto the stage. Their swaying movements and the contrast between the band's dapper style and hard-rock sound pushes us over the edge. The almost-lazy feel of Michael Stowers’ voice and the way the band seem to subconsciously coordinate their movements is awesome. Crowd cheers fill every quieter moment. Stowers is like a puppet master and his bandmates move in time with his conductor-like movements.

Smoke shrouds Circles as they enter the stage. The levels of excitement in the room are already high from the previous two performances. The lights dim and Circles begins with a beat that vibrates up through the floor. The crowd whistles and they blast into their opener with a furious level of energy. The room gets hotter with every second, the intimacy of this venue only heightening the excitement. The beats are enticing, sky-rocketing the music into epic territory. Circles perform thudding metal in a way that overwhelms the audience. “We’re gonna play you some new shit. Which you probably figured,” vocalist Perry Kakridas tells us, before launching into Sand & Wind. Their heavy rock is complemented by enticing lyrics ("Keep your fairytales/Dancing on a knife/My honour is what keeps me human"). No beat is out of place. The strong melody and drumming patterns both wild and structured. 

Circles look at home onstage. It’s easy to see where they get their confidence; their music somehow simultaneously raw and polished. They introduce styles used less often in metal, such as more acoustic-sounding plucking and electronic beats. Despite the traditional elements of metal Circles uphold, their mix of styles doesn’t ever clash. Regardless, the crowd loves Circles and everything they have to offer. “Thank you for remembering us and coming out," Kakridas says and our cheers suggest we won't forget them anytime soon.