Words – @ladylane____
Photos – @photo.amai
Helming the driver’s seat at MAX WATT’s is Melbourne mavericks ISUA. ISUA’s performance carried a gravitational pull entrancing the punters with their melancholic, atmospheric passages that formed the tapestry for their crushing doom riffs. The Australian progressive sludge metal band skilfully blended ambient with heavy accented by punishing riffs, setting the perfect mood for the evening. From the moment they took the stage, ISUA drew the audience into a dense, introspective soundscape, merging slow, crushing doom with melancholic, atmospheric passages. Their set moved effortlessly between heavy sludge and ethereal post-metal, exploring themes of inner turmoil and isolation, while ISUA surprised us by playing a track from their first E.P which is sadly out of print – a highlight, offering a haunting crescendo that exploded into a powerful, heavy climax. Though they were the support act, ISUA’s performance felt as significant as the headliner’s, showcasing their ability to blend emotional depth with sonic complexity. Their set not only primed the audience for YOB’s cosmic heaviness but also cemented ISUA as a band capable of leaving a lasting impact, earning them a well-deserved place in the spotlight.
MOUNTAIN WIZARD DEATH CULT was a surprise on my bingo list as they were always one of the few bands I had been yearning to see and now, here I am. The masses convulsed with excitement as MOUNTAIN WIZARD DEATH CULT began to unfurl their colossal, fuzz-laden riffs – deep and deliberate, each note a slow march toward something ominous. ‘Cornered’ is a heavy, dragging, and track drenched in layers of sludge and distortion that feel like they’ve been soaked in oil and rust. There’s a bleakness in the tone, as if the singer is shouting into a storm that no one will hear, and this sense of hopelessness saturates the whole room. ‘Anechoic (Luminar)’, ‘Gorillas’ and ‘Initiation’ kept us captivated with their relentless barrage of intense noise, whilst offering moments of quiet solitude and reflection. ‘Orbital’ became our parting gift from MOUNTAIN WIZARD DEATH CULT – a forlorn departure saturated in droning guitars and thunderous drum beats. MOUNTAIN WIZARD DEATH CULT doesn’t offer any kind of resolution, just a deep, enduring weight that sits with you long after the last note fades.
There are few bands whose live performances truly transcend music, where the sound becomes a physical force that vibrates in your chest and the atmosphere grows thick with intensity. YOB’s performance was one of those rare occurrences where time seemed to stretch, and the audience stood captivated by the immense power and emotional depth the band delivered with every note. I have waited for 10 years to finally witness their majesty and I was left completely awe-struck.
Opening with ‘Prepare the Ground’, YOB immediately set the tone – dense, atmospheric, and deeply introspective. The track’s slow, deliberate progression acted as a prelude, easing the crowd into a trance before ‘Nothing to Win’ struck with its crushing force. The song’s colossal riffs filled the room, pushing against the very air as the band expertly balanced weight and space, letting each note breathe and resonate.
As the night unfolded, ‘Upon the Sight of the Other Shore’ introduced a more ethereal, reflective tone, with front man Mike Scheidt’s lyrics cutting through the heaviness. There was something deeply cathartic about this moment live, with the crowd swaying in unison, caught up in the ebb and flow of the song’s contemplative mood. The transition into ‘Ball of Molten Lead’ snapped the audience back into YOB’s signature hypnotic sludge. The track’s grinding, monolithic riffs took on an entirely new life on stage, the rhythmic pulse pulling everyone into an almost trance-like state. However, it was ‘Marrow’ that truly marked the climax of the evening. Its glacial pace and monumental riffs felt like a physical weight, slowly dragging through the room, each note landing with a visceral impact. The raw emotion of the song came through even more powerfully in the live setting, leaving the crowd visibly overwhelmed, their expressions a mix of awe and fatigue, as if the music itself had seeped into their bones. By the time ‘Quantum Mystic’ began, the entire room had surrendered to Yob’s sonic world. The song’s sprawling, cosmic journey tied everything together, its sweeping moments of softness giving way to crushingly dense riffs in a final wave of expansive grandeur. It was a masterclass in pacing, showcasing YOB’s ability to guide the crowd through an emotionally charged musical journey.
YOB was nothing short of mesmerizing. Their deft balance of immense heaviness and subtle introspection left the audience in a collective state of awe – solidifying their place as one of the most powerful forces in doom metal. Every note, every pause, felt intentional, drawing the crowd deeper into a shared experience that was as much about the sound as it was about the feeling.
A huge thanks to the Max Watts Crew, ISUA, MOUNTAIN WIZARD DEATH CULT and UNITED FRONT TOURING for having us!
