Introduction
On a cold and fresh winters night in Derby, I made my way to Dubrek Studios, the venue hosting the nights entertainment, and a nice one at that. Arriving 90 minutes before the doors opened, I had the unique opportunity to witness the sound check for the very first time.
I also reconnected with the headlining band, Simbulis, which we have previously interviewed – check that out here. They were buzzing with excitement for their debut performance. Although they mostly appeared at ease, there were fleeting moments when nerves crept in, but were quickly brushed aside.
I was pleased when my good friend Aron, who goes by Azalamareacts, walked in early too. What happens when two music reviewers step into a recording studio? Well, they have a great catchup, a couple of beers and discuss potential collaborations! Check out his work using the links below!
As I soak in the sound check, I can’t help but appreciate the intimate 100-person venue; the acoustics were fantastic, and it was a joy to see the band fully in their element.
During this period, I had the pleasure of meeting Jayne from Made In Error Media. Busy capturing videos and photos throughout the evening’s events. We’re fortunate to be able to use those photos to enhance this review, so be sure to check her out on Instagram and other social media links below!
From Her Ashes
The moment had arrived for the evening’s opening act, the local group From Her Ashes. As a djent and technical metal band, their selection for the gig was no surprise. Their performance was a thrilling experience, oscillating between serene moments and sheer intensity, akin to a wild rollercoaster ride without a safety harness!
Drawn from the back of the room (where I was enjoying a pint), I found myself immersed in the pandemonium for half of their set. The lead vocalist spent most of the time right in the heart of the crowd, and by the end, he had everyone fully engaged.
By the end of their set, I found myself needing a moment to breathe, so I stepped into the hallway where the sound was a bit clearer. As I listened, I felt that something was lacking live compared to their recorded songs; the varying harsh vocal tones didn’t come through as strongly as they do on their albums.
Nevertheless, it was still a fantastic way to kick off the night. I have a feeling this band will be divisive—people will either adore them or completely miss the point. Their Spotify description hints at a blend of tearing you apart while gently cradling your head, and it’s evident they deliver on that promise!
Cober Mouth
After sharing some laughs with the band during sound check, I had a feeling I would enjoy their set, a sentiment that was only reinforced by the 45-minute chat I had with singer Adam before the show. However, nothing could have prepared me for the transformation that took place when Adam stepped onto the stage… I had never witnessed someone look so completely consumed by their performance; it was truly a remarkable sight. It was like he has been possessed.
It was clear from the moment they started playing why this Bristol-based band, hailing from Cornwall, was chosen for the gig. Their sound, firmly rooted in the realms of Nu-metal and Metalcore, created a perfect synergy with the music that was to follow. I could tell Anoki, who shares his Cornish roots, was genuinely excited to have them on stage. A cool fact about the band is that they have been featured in Metal Hammer!
I was delighted to see how this band engaged the audience, seamlessly blending intense, scream-heavy song with unexpected moments of wonder between tracks like a Pitbull feature. (I never imagined I’d mention Mr. Worldwide on this site, but here we are.)
This comic interlude provided a much-needed breather for the crowd before they dived back into the next wall of death. Musically, they delivered a sound that mirrored their recordings, though I felt the live performance had a slightly more aggressive edge. Perhaps the added visuals played a role in amplifying the experience.
All in all, it was an incredibly tight performance, most definitely worth them making the trip from Bristol. I have to say, I was relieved to find out they were only staying a 20-minute drive from the venue; I can’t imagine how safe it would have been to be in a car with Adam for any longer in his current condition. Check out the song from their most recent EP “Untethered”.
Simbulis
The influx of attendees at the venue had finally hit its climax, as a nearly packed house buzzes with anticipation for Simbulis to take the stage (I think we can collectively forgive them being late).
As they made their way through the wall of enthusiastic fans, including family and friends, they were hard to miss. Anoki stood out in a striking white jacket, while George sported eye-catching black sequin trousers, a playful consequence of a lost bet. Nobody will be forgetting those anytime soon!
The band exchanged quick glances before launching into their latest single, No Diplomacy. A high-energy song that instantly pumped up the crowd and has serious Limp Bizkit vibes. Even when the microphone cut out halfway through, Anoki didn’t miss a beat, engaging with the audience and keeping the energy alive.
Their determination to push through the hiccup was impressive. The band handled the situation with remarkable poise, and I was struck by their ability to stay composed under pressure. It was a moment that could have easily thrown the night off course, but they turned it into a testament to their professionalism.
By the time Menticide started they had resolved all audio issues which paved the way for the exquisite soft vocals in “Silhouette.” When the song’s breakdown kicked in, the crowd was moving from one side of the room to the other, a remarkable sight so early in the performance. It seemed that the earlier display of determination had amped up the crowd.
Next up were the two tracks that introduced me originally to Simbulis: “Relic” and “Vihara.” These songs highlight the band’s diverse influences, blending ambient elements with metalcore and a hint of nu-metal. Both tracks are outstanding and showcase the band’s talent for experimentation. If they release an album, it will definitely avoid any claims of monotony!
During the show, George and Anoki engaged with the audience, making it clear that they weren’t just going to be mannequins standing on stage! Frequently venturing into the crowd, while playing the guitar and screaming out lyrics.
At one moment, I was convinced that Anoki would get caught in the middle of a circle pit during the new tracks “Convert” and “New Antidote.” The energy in the pit was wild, resulting in a significant number of drinks needing to be replenished (thankfully, mine was safe).
A genuine shock awaited the audience when Aron took the stage alongside the band for their performance of Aura. For those unfamiliar, Aron was part of a group with Anoki and George called A Dying Pride, and he was the one who inspired Anoki to perform unclean vocals live.
The crowd was thrilled by this unexpected appearance, and it was a moment that resonated deeply with everyone present and as a fan of the now extinct band it was a moment I really appreciated. It would be amazing to see them collaborate on a recorded version of the song perhaps something they could do for their debut album in the future!
Simbulis achieved something I never imagined could happen… They made me appreciate a Deftones track! Their rendition of My Own Summer (Shove It) was the second to last song they played. A big part of my enjoyment came from the energy the band put into the song during their performance, along with the unique twist they added. Honestly, it’s quite a feat to get me to enjoy Deftones (Apologies to all the fans out there)…
The final song of the set was the soothing sounds of Kundalini, possibly a way to give the audience a breather from all the moshing. While chatting with Anoki between the warm-up performances, he shared that they prefer to select unique song titles, believing that it’s far more interesting than the typical mundane names that most songs have! While I’d have liked the song anywhere on their set list I think it would have made for the perfect middle song to produce an act 1 and act 2 type show.
The conclusion of the set felt more like the start of an exhilarating adventure, a true celebration of everything Simbulis represents. Family and friends gathered around, showering each band member with hugs and congratulations. It was clear that the band had poured their hearts into this performance, leaving them exhilarated yet exhausted after delivering the first of many upcoming shows.
I am confident that Simbulis will evoke similar reactions from new audiences, and as they continue to perform, they will undoubtedly witness a significant increase in the scale of their shows.
Closing Thoughts
What an incredible performance! For a debut concert, it was spectacular. While there were a few technical hiccups, the entire evening was filled with fantastic music start to finish. The night ended with the band signing me a set list and gig poster, proving just how friendly and humble they are.
As I made my way back to my car in the cold, two thoughts lingered in my mind: the joy on my face from enjoying such great music and reconnecting with friends, and the exciting feeling that there’s even more to look forward to.
All rights to the songs used in this review are retained by the relevant artists. All photos were provided by Jayne of Made In Error Media.
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