Live Music: Dead Letter Circus @ the Zoo
Words: Betina Dale
Photos: Kate Scantleton
Wednesday, August 18
The lights were dim, the air was thick – but neither hot nor cold – that perfect in between temperature that makes a gig perfect. It was a Wednesday eve and all was quiet, except for a little venue who was about to get (very) loud!
An awe inspiring performance by Black Devil Yard Boss warmed up the crowd nicely, proving that they are indeed a name to watch in the upcoming years, with their next tour playing support for none other than the great Shihad. Black Devil Yard Boss is their name and down and dirty rock is their game – watch out for these boys!
Meanwhile, backstage somewhere, the main event were warming up their vocal cords. Some would say that Brisbane locals Dead Letter Circus are a cross between Cog and Karnivool… the intensity of Cog with the substance behind the lyrics of Karnivool. Regardless of what they are – Dead Letter Circus are the new force to be reckoned with in Australian alternative rock music. A silence fell upon the crowd as the band made its way onto the stage.
An unmistakable sound rung true as the crowd chanted each chorus. Hits like Here We Divide and Reaction really got them moving while the new favourite Big got the crowd pulsing with anticipation. DLC are the next big thing and this tour is the turning point. A crisp, clear and unfaltering sound echoed through the Zoo as they unmasked the true beast of their latest album This is The Warning. It is almost impossible for this album to sound any better on disk than it does, but live, lead singer Kim Benzie brings a whole new level of passion and force to the vocals that it takes the audience on a journey to another world.
The eager crowd lapped up every second, with punters hanging off every word. Crowd sung choruses rung loud in the cosy confides of the Zoo as DLC impressed the only way they know how – LOUD!
Although now partially deaf, the impressive performance definitely places DLC on the list of bands to watch in 2010. Their new album This is the Warning came out on May 14 2010 and debuted at number 2 on the Aria music charts and is a must have for your 2010 album collection.