Johnny Truant

I’ve seen bands get first-night nerves before, but at their first ever London show Wolverhampton’s Emotive Exposed show no signs of trepidation, acting instead like seasoned pros. Their mix of Dillinger Escape Plan style jazz-metal (or something) and frenetic metalcore makes for an exhilarating surprise, and marks them as ones to look out for in the future. The only disappointment is that nobody really moves to them; their committed performance almost wasted on statuesque onlookers.

Crowd participation is hardly a problem for the rapidly rising Eden Maine though, who have come some way since their debut EP ‘The Treachery Pact’ first came to widespread attention. The venue erupts as the band kick into action – thrashing guitars and rapid-fire drumming combining in a heavenly unison (think Converge, kinda) – and the slam dancing doesn’t stop until they lurch wearily off stage. There are few bands in the UK as accomplished at starting a ruckus right now as Eden Maine – investigation by the uninitiated is a must.

With the crowd looking hot, bothered, and intolerably sweaty, it’s left to Brighton’s Johnny Truant to bring the night to a close with four songs of vitriolic spit, bile and drool. Vocalist Olly contorts his face like Silly Putty with each and every throaty bellow, and in songs like ‘Seven Days at Knife Point’ and ‘I am the Primitologist Mr Robert Sapolsky’ they have the weaponry necessary to cause unbridled carnage in such a small place. Carnage duly ensues, but when it’s all over, there’s nothing but smiles, sweat and bruises all round. Three of the UK’s best abrasive hardcore-cum-metalcore (noisecore?) bands playing together in one tiny room? It’s the best fun you can have with your trousers on.