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Mercy Fall are akin to a mountain stream or an autumn leaf where the full intensity of the universe can be found in what seems at first to be a simple package. Smiley Kieran, the bassist, plays a diggery-doo during the intro to ‘I Got Life.’ Lead singer, Nate Stone timidly looks at the crowd then down at the floor. He begins to sing and out of him comes the unexpected. His voice is powerful, has a mature resonance and a rare full harmonic range. A polished guitarist, Jeff Lusby performs a stout-hearted hot lick in this smouldering and fierce hard rock song.

‘Worth’ starts out with a cascading guitar and soft soulful vocals that repeatedly intensify then ebb, ever building in strength. The audience is caught in its wake, people start yelling as the piece reaches a climax and Nate passionately ends it with screams and growls. The final song of their set ‘Hangman.’ is bluesy, searing and harsh. Nate sings Traded alabaster kisses for the antidote against Ethan Rae’s driving drum line and the lads put out exquisite guitar runs that get the crowd hollering.

Faktion deliver youthful, skilled, eager and energetic modern rock. Ryan Gibbs vocals are soaring and ethereal yet grounded during ‘Control.’ The entire band contributes to the harmonies in this passionate song about being driven and possessed by music. ‘Pilot’ starts out dreamy and drifting then opens up and escapes into expansive, aerial vox and instrumentals. Ryan is dripping with sweat, straining with the words and women squeal when he comes near.

They bring out chairs, take up acoustic guitars then Ryan raises his hand and gives the finger. He encourages everyone to raise their hands, shoot the bird and shout “Fuck the weasels!” Which they do with glee! They play ‘Distance’ and Ryan sings It’s not the way you see me, it’s the way you let me down as the crowd sings along to this slow, sad song. The band straps back on their electric guitars, works the stage and play their hit piece ‘Letting You Go.’ It’s impressive that each song they play seems better than the last one.

It’s time for the headliner: Seether. A huge banner from the album cover of ‘Karma and Effect’ is hung in the background. It’s a beautiful set and the lighting is perfect. Not overdone with smoke and strobes but pure colours that change in time with the music. Pat Callahan isn’t present tonight and it seems that Shaun Morgan, the vocalist with be playing the lead guitar. They begin with the stewing anger of ‘Gasoline,’ Shaun roars the outrage of being the whipping boy in a hollow relationship. His voice is deep, resonate, easy and pure. “Driven Under’ is dark and passionate. It’s pushed onward by Dale Stewart’s bass and Shaun finishes the piece with a long sweet vocal run. He plays a rambling extended guitar intro into ‘Truth’ and the crowd roars. As he sings I’m beaten down again, I belong to them the entire audience is singing it with him and rocking out.

John Humphrey the drummer is the only one left on stage. He plays a long, unbelievably clean drum song that reaches speeds faster than light. Wow! They play a ‘Heart Shaped Box’ then Shaun smiles and says “Thank you all very much, I had a good fucking time with you” and leaves. After being persuaded to return they sing the wild, out of control ‘Remedy’ people scream for more and we get it. We are treated to something special. Dale and Shaun now sit with acoustic guitars, laugh and joke with the crowd, grin and play some cover songs. Neil Young’s ‘Needle and the Damage Done’ is performed brilliantly. During their whole set Shaun’s vox was flawless and the entire performance overwhelmingly down to earth and fun. 

Photos by: Janice French