Live Review: Ne Obliviscaris, Plini, Daemon Pyre

Sydneysiders Daemon Pyre initially seemed a tad cramped on a small stage, but imposing vocalist Sam Rilatt opting to stalk the floor for much of their set solved that conundrum. It also had the welcome by-product of spurring on the audience, eliciting mosh activity to accompany their blistering melodic death metal. Overall, another strong showing.

Despite one hipster punter overheard comparing them in an unflattering (and unfair) manner to fellow instrumental act Animals As Leaders, Sydney songwriter Plini and band were appreciated by the majority of the burgeoning gathering. The dexterous prog-fusion metallic fare is a treat on record. Having only ventured into touring in recent times their stage presence and knack for engaging a crowd is clearly still developing, but those viewers who shelled out their hard-earned primarily for a guitar clinic got their fill.

Being mere days removed from an exhaustive European jaunt, Ne Obliviscaris were obviously road-hardened and well-honed, but sans visible signs of fatigue, which one could have forgiven them for emanating given the circumstances. A fervent, packed room undoubtedly buoyed the globe-trotting Melburnians' spirits, as likely did the realisation that the violin-wielding sextet have enjoyed a seemingly perpetual series of successes during the little more than 12 months since issuing sophomore LP Citadel. That record's monumental prog-extreme metal cuts, a la Pyrrhic, meshed effortlessly with early favourites Tapestry Of The Starless Abstract and As Icicles Fall.

Drummer Dan Presland made headlines on heavy music blogs worldwide for quitting a six-figure day job to pursue music full-time. Certain band-mates have done the same. Performing rabidly-received shows (some female fans even found moments of their set danceable) such as this one may be far less lucrative financially, but would surely be gratifying on many fronts. Ne Obliviscaris are certainly an acquired taste, but also one that is becoming increasingly palatable to the metal masses.