Co-Exist / Colonies of God / The Colour Pink is Gay

Co-Exist

Monday nights on Sauchiehall Street host a very different species of clientele compared to weekends, which are normally occupied by strange creatures sporting orange complexions, pink shirts and throwing up at any available bus stop. Mondays are known to be more on the tame side; older couples out for a quiet meal, perhaps. Their hopes are all crushed when from this seemingly reserved venue erupts the brain-shattering first song from The Colour Pink is Gay. The noise from Box travelled outside with a ferocious tenacity, and the backdrop of the stage was the main street itself, inviting some entertaining reactions from passers by. The onlookers brave enough to enter, seem to find it hard to decide whether to enjoy the show or fear for their lives.

Vocalist JJ decides quickly that he needs more room to scream, taking advantage of the bar to use as his own personal stage extension. Imagine a brutal, melodic, angry soundtrack to Tchaikovsky's childhood, add some absurd time signatures, and you may begin to understand what is being created on stage.  The energy pulsing from the stage throughout the set is contagious, and by the end even the guys at the back of the bar are sweating. Developments in metal have allowed the most ridiculous, variegated range of 'core' type music to blossom, but these guys don't adhere to the standards of one particular label; they stampede through many styles and hit the spot for enthusiasts of all types of aggressive music. It's definitely time that more people knew about this band, and going by the feedback on the night and in general, they better get ready for the hype.

There is little time to get over the last set before Colonies of God take the venue hostage. At first they seem to ease the crowd in with a rather less intense sound, but just as everyone thinks they can simmer down, in comes the carnage. The vocal talent and chunky riffs are nice and meaty, which is apt considering the members have come together from such bands as Man Must Die, Godplayer and Pigscum to produce a searing hot stew. Colonies of God have managed to produce a great balance between brutality and melody. I saw this band for the first time a week ago; they blew me away then, and the second time round (when I manage stay sober), they are just as impressive. The group of guys in the street behind the stage, moshing against the window are testament to the vibe of the night. I nearly join in, but then realise more beer is needed to achieve this level of rock!

Without warning, Co-Exist blast their way through the progressively more drunken rants of the audience and pretty much scare them into submission. These guys are old school pros, and have been terrorising the metal scene for quite some time, but they have yet to slow the pace. Instead they fill both the venue, and the street with their pure, refined grindcore rage. I take my focus away from the band to witness a room of heavily-tattooed, hairy men all headbanging in unison with fiery purpose. As I watch these hardcore fans I notice a gentleman running towards the stage at the command of Dawson, the vocalist, and I witness what could well be the first ever stage dive in Box! Watching Co-Exist play a mixture of recent and older tunes, with a great Napalm Death cover thrown in for good measure, you can tell these guys are in no mood to slow down. They are veterans of grindcore thrash metal, and if you want to see how it's done properly, get yourself to one of their shows.

#Co-Exist #Glasgow Box #Grindcore #Technical Death Metal #Thrash Metal #Gigs #Mishelle Milne