Instead, they play epileptic, spasmodic shuffles of grinding punk-cum-grindcore. Bungle so many years ago the audience clearly not “getting it” in spite of the devastating and punchy grooves on offer and Patton’s menacing stage antics and growls and yaps.ĭead Cross, in spite of all their weight and aggression, don’t play accessible heavy metal.
Indeed, it reminded me of seeing Patton’s former band Mr. However, as those in attendance either stared into the pits of their beer or mobile phones, Dead Cross only seemed to prompt reaction when they’d flash a grinding riff to headbang too.
Bungle songs!Īnd that was the problem, Patton clearly being the selling point for tonight’s event, while behind him former Slayer sticksman Dave Lombardo rumbled with sinister charm.
“Download was such a drag,” bemoaned the mercurial Mike Patton, now frontman of Californian hardcore-cum-punk ensemble Dead Cross who decided to make a rather impromptu appearance to a small yet not surprisingly sold out venue in the heart of trendy Camden.Īnd with that Patton, resembling a shady character from 80s cop series Miami Vice while dressed in vest and vibrant short-sleeve shirt, leapt into the crowd and floundered like a fish out of water whilst a rather orderly “mosh pit” gave in to his contortions and squawks and wails.ĭead Cross launched into a short and snappy hour-long set consisting mostly of tracks from their impressive self-titled debut full-length platter, although judging by the reaction of most of the crowd it seemed that many were there just hoping that the band would launch into a batch of familiar Faith No More or Mr.