Live Review: Cult Leader, God Mother and Seizures at The Satellite

Every year I try to go to one show at the very end of December. There is something about the energy in the room at these shows, that you just know you are going to witness something pretty spectacular. Last night at The Satellite pretty spectacular doesn’t quite cut it. I’m going to go ahead and say that seeing Cult Leader, God Mother and Seizures last night was not only intense but one of the most fun shows I’ve been to in a long long time.

Opening the night was Seizures. They were a last minute add to the bill and the perfect tone setting band or the night. I had heard the name of the band before but never heard them and they completely rocked the house. They have this really cool early Thrice vibe ( a la Illusion Of Safety) mixed with a bit of Botch and The Dillinger Escape Plan. So they definitely have that “mathcore” style down to a tee but they also have a real sense of depth to them as well. Every player in the band is extremely proficient at their instrument and their vocalist Cameron is a beast on stage. As I mentioned above, they really set the tone for the night and they really are a band that will be one to watch out for in the heavy music scene.

Getting to finally see God Mother live was everything I wanted and way more. Their 2017 album Vilseledd was and still is one of the best metallic hardcore albums I’ve heard in a long time. The Dillinger Escape Plan’s Ben Weinman has even stated that Dillinger has passed the torch onto God Mother. That’s how good they are and it’s beyond true. The chaos that ensued during their set was something I haven’t seen in years. As their set began, with the band on stage, vocalist Sebastian Campbell made the bands presence felt as he went out in the crowd and formed a circle from all the people in the crowd. The band then began ripping into their assault on The Satellite and from that point onward it was as though the eruption of chaos was meant to be. Circle pits ensued along with an impromptu limbo contest, which was one of the coolest and most fun things I’ve ever been a part of at a show. God Mother is the real deal. The band absolutely slays and they deliver the goods on song after song. The element of danger and passion that brews inside each member makes God Mother not only a force to be reckoned with but as time goes on, they are going to write some really epic songs.

The main event of the evening was Cult Leader. Ever since I first saw this band while on tour with The Dillinger Escape Plan, I’ve been hooked. That first time was astounding and totally put me into a hypnotic trance. Last night that hypnotic trance occurred again and I didn’t want it to end. Shrouded in red light, the members of Cult Leader tore through their set with a sense of purpose and passion that most bands would be envious of. Cult Leader recently put out their spectacular new album A Patient Man and their set was compiled of a slew of songs from it and their previous work Lightless Walk (another gem of an album). This new album though is dark and brooding with all the feels you would expect from a band this deep. I don’t know what it is about this band but every time I’ve seen them now, I get lost in the music and aggression and it takes all the negativity away. I’m going to put this out there that Cult Leader is not only a band that needs to be seen live but also they are truly superb at creating and capturing the real essence of what the band is.

 

What a great night not just for heavy music but music in general. Seeing bands of this caliber at a place like The Satellite (it’s still Spaceland to me) was ferocious. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing some really great shows at this venue (I’ve even seen Deftones here) and this night tops it all. What a great show from Cult Leader, God Mother and Seizures. I wish the show would have gone on longer, that’s how damn good each band was. It’s bands and music like this that keeps me doing what I do. So, thank you Cult Leader, God Mother and Seizures for delivering one of the best shows I’ve seen all year as well as the best end of the year show I’ve seen in years!

 

Cult Leader- A Patient Man:

 

God Mother- Vilseledd:

Seizures- Split EP:

Review/Recap By: Brian Lacy

Against The Grain: God Mother

There is a new force to be reckoned with in the extreme music circles. Hailing from Sweden, God Mother is here to leave you with a severe case of whiplash and change your perception of heavy music. God Mother was founded in 2012 Michael Dahlström (drums), Daniel Noring (bass) and Jonatan Lindgren (guitar). When they formed the band, they sought to combine their influences form hardcore, metal, grindcore and sludge. Until the addition of Sebastian Campbell (vocals) in 2013, drummer Michael Dahlström was the bands vocalist. God Mother have released 2 EP’s and one full length album (so far), that are a very take no prisoners heavy approach to what they do. Most recently though, while The Dillinger Escape Plan was touring through Sweden, they handpicked God Mother to be their support band for those shows. Then when it came time for South By Southwest, Dillinger guitarist Ben Weinman invited the band to be a part of his Party Smasher showcase at the event.

Now, God Mother are gearing up to unleash the fury that is their upcoming album Vilseledd. I’ve had the opportunity to hear this album and it is absolutely crushing and heavy in all the right places. You can just tell from the couple songs they’ve released that God Mother are here and are taking over. Even Ben Weinman has said “God Mother is an undeniable force majeure that demands attention like bands did in the old days, by just being that f—king good. Torch, officially passed!”

So do yourselves a favor and check out God Mother and all they bring to the table. Your ears and your CD/Record/Digital collection will thank you!

 

God Mother- Weak:

 

God Mother- By The Millions:

 

God Mother- De Ovälkomna:

 

God Mother- Tar Mirror:

 

God Mother- Between Voids:

 

God Mother- Maktbehov: