Periphery and Veil of Maya - Live Music Review in Bristol

Posted on: 2015-11-16

Our rating:

Periphery are obviously technically brilliant, they had some catchy stuff going on, big riffs, and a vocalist who was actually reminiscent of the dude from Coheed and Cambria, an acquired taste for sure.


 

Friday 13 November 2015 saw these two big-hitters play The Marble Factory in Bristol. I approach heavy gigs with an open mind - I had heard both bands a bit, but not in great detail so the question I asked myself is: could the two bands playing tonight convert me in the same way they obviously have the few hundred people jammed into the venue. 

Periphery are obviously technically brilliant, they had some catchy stuff going on, big riffs, and a vocalist who was actually reminiscent of the dude from Coheed and Cambria, an acquired taste for sure. They didn’t quite get going for me, I think this was partly down to the guitars not coming through enough - when you are watching technical stuff the guitar needs to come through as the riffs and wizardry are usually a focal point and indeed something you look out for. The bass drum was much louder than anything else and unfortunately overpowered everything else. They weren’t bad at all, and on record they really draw you in, but maybe not their night tonight.

periphery at Marble Factory in Bristol

Veil of Maya were excellent, from what I gather a lot more people were there to see them. Energetic stuff, they also weren’t short of practice (the drummer especially was sick)… they could play! But they gave it some also, the energy levels rose and it woke people up for sure – ‘Wounds’ was a nod to the older stuff and the diehard fans of the band were satisfied with that, but it was material from the newest album Matriarch, that really seemed to ruffle everyone’s tail feathers. The fact that the sound was a lot more balanced for their set won’t have harmed the cause.

Veil of Maya at Marble Factory in Bristol

Photo courtesy of @zukshoots

One of the things I liked about VOM was that they went from song to song with minimum ‘banter’, they just got on with it, and the intensity was decent throughout the set. I think Dillinger Escape Plan proved the point that you can be ridiculously talented but also move around like a maniac while playing. Long may it continue.

3.5/5

Reviewed by Nick Clay for 365 Bristol - The leading events and entertainment website for Bristol



Article by:

James Anderson

Born and raised in the suburbs of Swansea, Jimmy moved to Bristol back in 2004 to attend university. Passionate about live music, sport, science and nature, he can usually be found walking his cocker spaniel Baxter at any number of green spots around the city. Call James on 078 9999 3534 or email Editor@365Bristol.com.