Our Mike and Becky got down to Metronome to check out Acid Mothers Temple and Shiftwork...
Stepping into the cavernous entrance of newcomer venue Metronome is a tantalising prospect. The space on Huntingdon Street has been masterminded by local creative institute Confetti who certainly know a thing or two about live performance. So we couldn’t wait to cross the threshold this week for a seriously innovative Monday night double-bill.
If anxiety had a soundtrack, it might sound something like Shiftwork. This local three-piece have been hard at work, whipping up attention and earning plaudits for recent shows at The Bodega and Hockley Hustle. Sitting somewhere between post-punk and noise rock, I am immediately struck by the racket this three-piece make as soon as they saunter onto Metronome’s expansive stage.
Lyrics which are both dark and introspective emanate from singer-guitarist Kieran Poole, with guitarist Jim Allen alternating between guitar and bass, and drummer Joseph Maguire driving the intensity. As the tension builds, guitar-led melodies burst their way out, which you realise were lying latent from the offset; the restraint is both intimidating and clever. “Here’s another slow one about death - happy days”, says Poole, as they play Slow Song, a track which demonstrates the scope of their occasionally brash and sludgy, frequently intricate sound.
Buoyant at times, and downright intense at others, at the peak of their performance there are flashes of Shame, The Horrors, even The Fall. Shiftwork weld chaos and reflection together in a seriously captivating way, and I zealously await the release of their debut LP, which I’ve heard on the grapevine is imminent.
With the crowd sufficiently limbered up, and Metronome close to capacity, the night’s enigmatic headliners Acid Mothers Temple take to the stage one by one. Dubbed as Japan’s answer to Hawkwind, I had braced myself a little; whilst I’m an occasional fan of psychedelic rock, the genre has a habit of losing me in its customary head-melting space haze.
Amidst the incense-laced air, the quintet embark on a hypnotic procession, which moves from solitary moments of raw energy to mind-blowing cohesion. Founding member and guitarist Kawabata Makoto has headed up countless iterations of the musical collective since its conception in 1995. Yet for me the engine of Acid Mothers Temple tonight is drummer Satoshima Nani, his animalistic and outrageous energy showcased through regular drumming solos. However, each member certainly possesses an extreme sense of talent and theatrical appeal, from the serenity of keyboard and synth player Higashi Hiroshi, to the stoicism of bassist Wolf (a.k.a. S/T).
As elements of heavy psych collide with a plethora of other styles, I feel like I’m witnessing a happening; their presence seems ephemeral, and their sound surprisingly accessible. The committed fans in the audience at times almost spill onto Metronome’s unbarricaded stage, and I am equally as thrilled by this band’s musical wizardry.
Acid Mothers Temple and Shiftwork performed at Metronome on Monday 5 November
Metronome website
We have a favour to ask
LeftLion is Nottingham’s meeting point for information about what’s going on in our city, from the established organisations to the grassroots. We want to keep what we do free to all to access, but increasingly we are relying on revenue from our readers to continue. Can you spare a few quid each month to support us?
