Converge

A malevolent, exhilarating, unrivalled force is at work here tonight. At approximately 9pm on a cold evening in January, Converge take to the stage, and set about raising the bar for every live show that will happen in the capital for the next twelve months.

Seeing Converge obliterate ULU tonight, one other band comes to mind: At The Drive-In. It's not in the music, exactly - on the surface at least, Converge's brainmeltingly acidic onslaught is far removed from the surge of shrill punk energy that made ATDI one of the most truly loved bands of recent years. Don't be deceived.

This band are as important to the ever-expanding punk/hardcore/metal scenes as At The Drive-In were five years ago. They provide the same thing - a compelling alluring call to arms. But what ATDI were never willing - or able? - to accept, use and triumph in - that is, their fans' absolute willingness to interact with them - Converge revel in. When Jacob Bannon cries "This is your stage - TAKE IT!", his words reach everyone in the room. This goes beyond labels, genres, subgenres, tribal loyalties and rivalries, beyond egos and hero-worship. This show, for one hour, closes the divide between bands and fans.

Watching them is a dizzying experience. Converge have that rare power to not only astonish, disorientate and inspire, but to instantly connect. Make no mistake - they pull no punches. Nothing here is simplified for the benefit of the uninitiated - keeping track of the fucking rhythm section is a mission in itself, and could give the average drummer the mother of all inferiority complexes. But there's nothing self-indulgent here - what Converge provide are short, sharp dropkicks to the head - song after song, it's over before you know what's hit you, and all you can do is gape openmouthed. There's one reason why Converge are treated as the kings of whatever scene you care to slot them into - they're simply better at it than anyone else around.

In taking each song on a myriadic journey through every time signature, tempo and volume they can lay their hands on, they sacrifice none of the energy that makes them so hypnotic. Even when they slow things down a little mid-set with the chilling, stoner-esque tones of new track 'You Fail Me', eyes begin to glaze over and people begin visibly to slowly wobble back and forth. Done at half the pace, this would be dubbed by detractors as prog metal - at this speed, it's just fucking insane. It's questionable whether ULU has ever experienced anything quite like this before.

And pulling this all off midair, the energy is infectious - as a circle-pit the length and breadth of most of this sizeable venue opens across the floor, kids ping off each other, climbing up the walls and spinning through the air across the front of the stage. Even standing still watching it all leaves you breathless and reeling. And five or ten minutes after they originally stalked onto the stage, the haunting, raging strains of 'Jane Doe' fade out, the lights go up, the kids turn around, sweating, red-faced, panting and swaying in uncertain directions, and begin to leave. And checking your watch, it's just gone 10pm, and it seems you've lost an hour. Best show of the year - and it's only January.