36 Crazyfists (w/ All Hail The Yet, Shvpes) @ O2 Academy 2 (Oxford, UK) on 19th February, 2015 [Show Review]

I have to admit that when I got news that Alaskan/Portland metalcore outfit 36 Crazyfists were releasing a new album and returning to the UK I did a double-take because, to be honest, I didn’t even realise they were a band anymore. Still, with rave reviews all over the place for their awesome Time And Traumas album, it seems like the UK is still very interested in hearing what 36 Crazyfists have to offer.

So the tour rolls into Oxford for the final night of the run with a small but enthusiastic crowd on hand to greet openers Shvpes (the band formerly known as Cytota). Only afforded twenty odd minutes the band had little time to mess around getting straight down to business rattling through their brand of melodic metalcore. Finishing up with “Generations” there is a healthy amount of excitement around the front of the stage as the band wind up their set.

All Hail The Yeti from Hollywood are making their first appearance in the UK on this tour and, let’s not beat around the bush here, they’re fucking hairy and fucking loud. Again only afforded a short set time, the All Hail The Yeti “no-core” ethos results in a delicious set full of songs soaked in beer-stained grooves. Songs like “Suicide Woods” and “After The Great Fire” are perfect for sweaty, dark clubs like this one and as their short time on stage comes to an end, we’re already looking forward to the next time they grace these shores.

Judging by the smile on his face, 36 Crazyfists frontman Brock is loving every minute of their return to the UK. The O2 Academy is positively buzzing as the band smash through their set with pleasantries kept to a bare minimum. Rattling out classics like “At The End Of August” from their impressive back catalogue, the metalcore band may have been fairly inactive in recent years when it comes to the UK but this packed room certainly hasn’t forgotten them judging by the reaction.

Obviously the new album is giving an airing as well with the triple set of new tracks “Sorrow Sings,” “Swing The Noose” and “Time And Trauma” bringing the main set to a close. Dragging up a young fan from the crowd to join him on “Destroy The Map,” the final moments of the tour are in sight and the band finish up with a blistering rendition of “Slit Wrist Theory”. Don’t leave it so long next time guys!

Check out the song “Also Am I”