Words – Shelby Lane
Photos – DjSedick
Man, what a week! I am still buzzing from my time at STONE TEMPLE PILOTS but rounding down my week with DIPLOID, STARVE and VENDED was a cracking way to welcome the upcoming long weekend (sorry to other states and territories). Despite my fatigued state and crick neck, I excitedly made my way down to Stay Gold for a garlic laden pizza with @djsedick and a rollicking good time. Stay Gold plays and had played host to some of the hottest bands going around! You can also catch anything from a DOECHI themed appreciation evening, comedy shows, an anime music festival and even a ‘Divorced Dad Rock’ themed event which is a blatant attack on me and my constant Spotify Daylist- just to clarify, no- I do not listen to Creed, Limp Bizkit, Puddle of Mud and Saliva because I am actually NOT a divorced Dad.
The first cab off the rank are the legendary, DIPLOID. If you aren’t aware or haven’t been paying attention, DIPLOID have been a staple in the heavy metal scene for some time now. They’ve supported THOU, FULL OF HELL, BOTCH and LITURGY just to name a few as well as touring Asia, Europe/UK, Aotearoa and soon the U.S of A and hopefully the rest of the world. Flattery will only get you so far but, watching DIPLOID isn’t just your typical venture, it’s more so an experience that genuinely sits with you days after absorbing in their caustic and transfixing sound. I even say this proudly sporting my DIPLOID shirt. No song is the same with their sweeping and effortless blend of sludge, doom, hardcore, noise , grind and black metal- like I said, DIPLOID are an experience. For a three piece ensemble, their presence and sound is amplified tenfold by their punishing screams, droning synths and blistering blast beats. Each member is a maverick in their own regard and so they should be as they were nominated for Best Heavy Work back in 2024.
Politically charged and rearing to go from the moment they started, I began noticing people’s attention drifting from their beers to the stage with a genuine sense of awe and wonder. DIPLOID are an incomparable force that both conveys passion through the band’s INSANE collective vocals but also through their almost brutal assault and burgeoning performance. Ending their haunting set with Maz zealously throwing their guitar on the stage, lamenting into the microphone as they passionately convulsed on stage with both fury and anger. I felt like I didn’t take a breathe throughout DIPLOID’s set so, after a lengthy exhale and a glass of water, I started to feel some level of normalcy. DIPLOID have now left me with a thirst for their musical offering which may be hard to satiate.
A few waters down and my usual debrief with Dan during our intermission more people began to flood into Stay Gold. The fatigue started to wear off and I managed to catch my second wind. Wide eyed and energized, I retreated back to the right side of the stage for round two.
Our second offering for this evening are local and lovable scoundrels, STARVE.
STARVE are a blistering 4 piece hardcore outfit that have toured alongside powerhouse acts such as HARMS WAY, THORNHILL, FIT FOR AN AUTOPSY and so many other incredible bands. The immediate rush of bodies to the front of the stage was a blink and you’ll miss it moment. As the lights dimmed, I immediately scoped my surroundings in case I was going to potentially get a fly kick or fist to my face but thankfully, I was not in harm’s way (not the band, guys). STARVE’s unmissable and high energy stage presence was unmatched with Jordan’s heathen-like guttural growls that almost summoned the demons from the Underworld. The giddy and gleeful cheers from sweating bodies that audaciously threw their limbs around the pit was a spectacle and I almost felt that the audience and STARVE were in some unspoken competition to see who was the more powerful and energetic. I would call it a healthy draw.
Ewan, Alessio and Darcy rhythmically and masterfully played into this competition by upping the stakes and unmistakably throwing themselves into each song with a magnetic and intoxicating vigour. And one of them was in a jumper too?! Insane. Their set fiercely progressed with the pit expanding and becoming more rambunctious that I even started to bang my head despite aforementioned crick neck. I can only assume that there would be nothing more infectious and affmiring than seeing a bunch of people shouting your lyrics back at you and relishing in every hook, line, breakdown and growl. STARVE’s gratious performance seemed to agree with that and we in return were grateful. Self described as ‘Metal Mosh Metal’ is a sentiment I wouldn’t take too lightly either but if you’re keen to dip your toe in, I highly suggest you check out their tracks ‘starve2death’ for a good old fashioned ERRRRGHHHH moment and ‘Nightmare At My Door’ because nothing will cleanse you of your woes and frustrations then screaming ‘FUCK OFF’. Keep your eyes and ears peeled, guys! STARVE is only going to ascend into greatness.
Now for the moment we have all waited for! It’s VENDED time.
Hailing from Des Moise, Iowa and formed in 2018, VENDED comprises of two sons from the all-mighty SLIPKNOT, Griffin Taylor and Simon Crahan alongside bassist Jeremiah Pugh and guitarists Cole Espeland and Connor Grodzicki. Hot off the press from KNOTFEST Australia, VENDED have been a cause of curiosity for me as I WAS largely unfamiliar with their body of work but, I can safely say, they’re on high rotation at Lane HQ. VENDED have played alongside some titans in the game such as BabyMetal, A Day To Remember, Within Temptation, HEALTH (my fave), Slaughter To Prevail, Hatebreed and obviously, Slipknot. There are more but if you went to Knotfest, you don’t need me repeating this at you. Now, before we go any further I will not take heed into any of the internet nonsense that had dubbed them as ‘Slipknot Junior’- I, like a lot of other people will wholeheartedly disagree with such dribble. VENDED are a behemoth of a band in their own right and I will explain it to you soon enough. Unfortunately, Simon was unable to perform due to a family emergency but, we were luckily graced with Josh Clinch from Gloom In The Corner – how lucky are we! Donned in pale makeup and overalls, Griffin Taylor makes an unassuming entrance which is completely contrasted with his natural stage allure.
The eneverating gnarly vocals, bass heavy riffs, thunderous drum beats and punchy guitar immediately created a swell of unmatched vivacity which the crowd was thirsty to consume. It has been a long time since I have seen a front man fully throw himself into a performance because with the end of each infectious song, Griffin would hunch down and take a swig of water whilst visibility panting for air and reprieve. Cole, Connor and Jeremiah swanned around the stage with such a level of unparalleled command that it almost felt kindly threatening. At one point I swear I confused the blasting and lilting drum beat for some sort of heart tremor but that could have been my general excitement? Who knows? My gaze was immediately drawn into one of two things, the band themselves and the punters. The transference of energy between the two was something I have not seen in a very long time. Seems like another unspoken competition was at play.
Thanking Melbourne in between their powerhouse set became very clear that not only that VENDED’s raw talent spoke for itself but the mutual love, appreciation and admiration was bouncing off the walls. VENDED have proved themselves to be unstoppable and ferocious whilst elegantly making their mark as a band that is enduring, authentic and remarkable. I will even comment that before Dan and I went into Stay Gold, Griffin graciously and humbly spoke to fans and took photos with them before the doors opened. Ahhh, like father like son. Despite their career infancy, I can healthily predict that VENDED will be back and will only surmount to becoming a touring staple in Australia and, in turn, will become a force to be reckoned with.
I would like to extend my deepest thanks to DIPLOID, STARVE, VENDED, Stay Gold, Everyday Metal and Dallas Does PR for the honour and joy of covering this exceptional gig.
EVERYDAY METAL – SUPPORT LOCAL HEAVY METAL
