Live Review: sleepmakeswaves, Caligula's Horse, Closet Space

Sleepmakeswaves could definitely earn the moniker of 'Australia's hardest-working rock band' since Friday marked their third stop in Perth in under a year. This was their second headline show and, along with a previous support slot for Cog and with the upcoming Devin Townsend Project support slot also booked in, fans of the Sydney post-rockers have been spoilt for chances to see the four-piece of late.

First support act was a new melodic-metal act from Perth and Closet Space had a pretty rough night. Either nerves or lack of preparation marred their limited 20-minute set. Vocalist Jordan King seemed to be unable to decide whether he wanted to do death growls or clean vocals, often swapping mid-line, whereas the rest of the band had trouble keeping in time. These guys are young and being booked on such a large support act so early on was probably pretty daunting. Luckily they had a lot of friends in the crowd providing support, so hopefully they will take this show in stride.

Next up were Brisbane prog-metal act Caligula's Horse. Although this scribe's not normally a fan of prog, these guy won us over with their unbounded enthusiasm. Frontman Jim Grey took to the stage with a Freddie Mercury-esque moustache having been punished by the rest of the band for losing his AAA lanyard. These guys are unashamedly prog, with soaring arpeggio lines and falsetto vocals. Picture Muse if they listened to more Devin Townsend Project and you will be on the right track. People were dancing like mad and Caligula's Horse really got the crowd going. Fun, if a little absurd.

Sleepmakeswaves don't do anything in half measures. The second they took to the stage they were going 100 miles per hour. Deafening sound mixed with an energy that saw members running back and forth across the stage, jumping on amps, drum kits and then falling back. They opened the set with the first track off their debut (To You They Are Birds, To Me They Are Voices In The Forest), but it only took a few tracks until the new material came out. And, boy did it get a reception! The crowd lapped up each sonic offering, with more and more energy building up. It was inevitable, but, with only a few tracks left in the set, a huge mosh of smiling guys broke out into a mini circle-pit up front.

The boys wrapped up, the lights went down, the crowd screamed "one more song" and were gladly obliged with an extended version of Keep Your Splendid Silent Sun — a popular encore from these guys. Not the types to rest on their laurels, sleepmakeswaves headed out to the merch table to sign posters, T-shirts and pose for photos. These guys are a band who love their fans, and they get it back ten-fold in return.