Hardcore veterans TERROR grapple with the new era.
SUPPLY AND DEMAND, LONG BEACH
LA hardcore veterans battle beyond their comfort zone
AS FRONTMAN SCOTT Vogel points out at least three or four times during the show, this is Terror’s first ever go at the livestreaming experience. The LA hardcore legends might not be experienced in the medium, but they’ve done the right thing with their first step by doing something to make this particular stream a little different and special for those tuning in – namely celebrating the 10th anniversary of their excellent Keepers Of The Faith album by playing it in full.
Other than that, as you’d probably expect from a band who are famed for their zero tolerance for extraneous bullshit, no heed is given to anything other than ploughing through their material – Terror are filmed in a tight club, facing each other, smashing out their gruff and effective hardcore. No show, no tricks, no gimmicks, just music. That’s all well and good if you yourself happen to be in the club with
them, surrounded by a bunch of likeminded, circlepitting punks, but, unfortunately, in the sterile environment of your own home it doesn’t translate with the same power. That’s not to say that songs like Hell
And Back don’t hit hard, it’s just that they have hit harder in the past.
After careering through the record in breakneck speed, Terror then end their set with a mini ‘greatest hits’ set. Witnessing this, it’s clear that they’re a great hardcore band with a fantastic catalogue of songs to choose from; they just don’t seem entirely comfortable in this particular medium, something Scott himself even acknowledges toward the end. If you ever needed an indication of how essential a crowd is at a gig, then this evening is clear proof – let’s hope we can get back into shows ASAP. Not just for our own sakes, but for Terror’s as well.
STEPHEN HILL