Though the largest festivals and longest-running acts will always draw the most eyes, your very own local scene is sure to be putting on a host of exciting and memorable events as well. At Nottingham’s Tap ’N’ Tumbler, Mangata Productions had put on a night of quality metal, featuring everything from student bands to electronic fusion solo acts— more on that later. Though the night was not without its flaws, it’s fair to say that with free entry and the bar so close by, the event went down well with Nottingham’s alternative music crowd.

Systems Fail opened the night with a mixture of Ozzy Osborne and Avenged Sevenfold covers, as well as the debut of two original songs— the group were also performing with a new vocalist and bassist for the first time as well. However, due to our policy that we won’t cover acts we know personally to avoid undue bias, this article won’t feature a comprehensive review of their set.

Though the experimental band Apogee were originally booked to play second, it was actually Neo Cryptid that took to the stage, having already drummed up interest by handing out glow sticks and describing his music as ‘groove metal meets EDM.’ This description proved shockingly accurate when Rick— the sole performer of the act— sound checked to a cover of Slipknot’s ‘Duality,’ complete with artificial drums, background synths and the boisterous presence of an eight-string guitar. Rick himself was, undoubtedly, a joy to watch, infusing every moment with passion and wit— from his guttural harsh vocals to his shockingly technical guitar playing, he oozed charisma and character at every turn, interacting with the crowd at every opportunity. Nothing could demonstrate this more clearly than the continued performance between songs, with Rick conversing (and often arguing) with pre-recorded voices, displaying a clear level of rehearsal, as well as a wickedly enjoyable sense of humour.

The set’s light show, similarly, was far above what might be expected, decking out the stage with various strobes that only added to Neo Cryptid’s sense of insanity. His electronic elements were hardly a gimmick, playing an integral role in every track as Rick’s playing weaved its way around the synths effortlessly— it must be said, though, that the unique combination of metal and dance music could certainly be taken further than what was presented here. Whether it be due to a somewhat underwhelming mix, or just because they weren’t loud enough, the artificial drums consistently lacked the punch and power to keep up with the live performance, keeping some breakdowns and high-energy moments from being as dominating and forceful as they might have been. Between this and the somewhat unremarkable nature of the clean vocals, there is undeniably room for improvement: these criticisms seem also petty, however, when compared to the excitement and wonder of the performance as a whole. It’s rare to see such a small act be so creative and distinctive, and there’s little doubt in my mind that with further refinement and support, Neo Cryptid could— and should— grow to rival the likes of Combichrist. I’ll certainly be checking him out in the meantime.

Finally up to bat were headliners Steel Mage, bringing their own brand of deathcore into the fold: disaster had struck early, with the group’s lead vocalist Kyle Dawson pulling out due to illness— guitarist Oliver Parkes did a phenomenal job filling in, however, and the show went on as planned. The group’s mix was undeniably crushing, with the throaty guitars and five-string bass hitting you in the chest every time— the band’s rumbling riffs surely echoed out across the city, and were certainly deafening in the venue itself. The group’s drummer Jack Haigh was also excellent, showcasing a number of blistering fills and pounding rhythms, even if the kit he was playing sounded a little thinner and more brittle than one might have hoped. It’s a small criticism, and one that did very little to stop a number of fans from having the time of their lives, headbanging like there’s no tomorrow.

Some attendees even attempted to mosh, though the venue was surely not big enough for it, and a resulting injury left a bad taste in many people’s mouths as the show continued. Steel Mage must have realised this, ending their show after a measly twenty minutes. It was a disappointingly brief display of deathcore, leaving many more uncertain than satisfied, but it’s hard to deny that while the music was playing, it was damn good. Brutal breakdowns were the name of the game and the band had them in spades, making this one of the heavier and more anthemic performances Tap ’N’ Tumbler have hosted: as such, it’s very easy to call the night as a whole a great success, and a wonderful celebration of local metal as a whole.