Distinctly decomposed
The Rotted round of proceedings on the Big Cheese stage with a mid afternoon slot (the stage then miraculously turns into the Scuzz stage 15 minutes later!). They get the biggest crowd we see in here all day but it’s still only around the 150 mark and with such a big floor space it still looks very empty.
Whilst circumstances conspire against them they are not about to let it affect the performance and go for it just as they would in a dark club on a Friday night. They work the small stage well and play up to the crowd as best they can. It’s powerful stuff, hardcore metal as you might expect but alas yet again the band falls prey to the sound and the mix is awful! You can’t hear the vocals and the guitar solos are completely drowned out. There are some promising moments in the set, ‘Angel of Meth’ and ‘Fear and Loathing in Old London Town’ to name but two but they descend into a huge mess of guitar and drums that lacks any definition. Singer Ben McCrow is entertaining both in his performance and his between song exchanges with the crowd and it helps to engage the audience.
It’s not the band's fault and they do their best but it’s unfair to judge them on this show really. They clearly have plenty about them but they need the opportunity to let it shine through and today they didn’t get it.