ROLO TOMASSI
BLOOD COMMAND/CASSUS
Sheffield’s sonic insurgents show their class amidst the chaos
When CASSUS UnleASh searing blasts of Converge-style chaos, with some manic drumming fuelling the fire, there’s little hope of resisting their impact. But despite these peaks, some of the sung vocals and moments of introspection cut the Norwich quartet down in their stride. By contrast, BlOOD COMMAnD’s infectious death punk is a complete riot, with a bizarre melting pot that’s underpinned by bassy, post-punk stomp and effervescent zeal. The sinister yet joyous bounce is matched by moustache- and headband-clad guitarist Yngve Andersen swaggering along next to vocalist Karina Ljone, who brings an effortless charm. However, it’s all largely lost on the sparse and surprisingly unresponsive crowd, who refuse to budge even during a brief but brilliant sojourn into Bryan Adams’ Heaven. A few cool lights and quite a bit of dry ice is all that’s needed to transform the gig into a show, but it’s the sheer weight of ROlO TOMASSI’s presence and music that make tonight an event. After building the tension, the blistering opener of Rituals sounds huge, vocalists Eva and James Spence throwing themselves about the stage while around them a nightmarish atmosphere of distressing harmonies and precision rhythmic metal sets the scene. While the likes of Stage Knives lands some decent hits, it’s a set dominated by new album Time Will
Die And Love Will Bury It, showing the seismic leap the band have made in just one record, seamlessly uniting their schizophrenic kaleidoscope into one sublime whole. Hollow Hour’s labyrinth of haunting keys and debilitating frenzies and Alma Mater’s caustic bursts and rumbling riffs set against the gorgeous build of Contretemps and drawn-out caress of closer A Flood Of Light, all delivered with emphatic brio. Rolo Tomassi are now reaping the rewards of their patient five-album ascent, oozing class and gravitas.
ADAM REES