CROSSFAITH at Stylus, Leeds

It’s a long way from Osaka to Leeds, UK and CROSSFAITH certainly weren’t going to waste the effort in travelling to give a lacklustre performance. "Mighty" was the most accurate adjective for this dark and intense event.

The scene was set inside an atmospheric, black cube of a room, packed with hundreds of fans and peppered with strobe lights. The venue was buried deep within Leeds University and was almost at maximum 1000 capacity. The electronicore quintet were slated to appear as support for Bury Tomorrow, but their performance was every bit as deserving of a headline slot. Following the efforts of metal bands Any Given Day from Germany, and the UK’s Black Peaks, Osakan Kenta Koie vocally infused the crowd with an energy that is rarely seen, let alone felt. Along with Takemura Kazuki - guitars, Amano Tatsuya - percussion, Tamano Terufumi - digital sound and Ikegawa Hiroki - bass guitar, the group were all working in perfect harmony.

The first track, XENO immediately had the crowd jumping and pressed to the front barriers. Within minutes, Koie had them at his command. As MONOLITH began, the first circle pit of the night was requested and quickly formed. The red stage lights bathed the pit in pure energy as ‘party anthem’ JAGERBOMB began. Flashes of Tamano’s rib tattoos were seen through the whipping of Ikegawa’s long black coat and hair.

The crowd were both surprised and enthused when CROSSFAITH's cover of The Prodigy’s OMEN burst in. It was difficult to imagine a heavier version of the original track but there it was. Koie had everyone literally on their knees, fist in the air, waiting for the sign. His gravelly voice pierced the synth and the mass of fans launched in the air.

RX OVERDRIVE quickly followed and Tamano buoyed the black shirted gathering with his digital domination. DEVIL’S PARTY was Takemura’s time to shine as he thrashed back and forth to the rapid, chugging riffs, somehow charging everyone else with the same power and energy he was emitting. The speed and deftness of Amano’s drumming throughout was something to witness and it was hard to believe there was a human being at the end of that beat.

COUNTDOWN TO HELL, the home of the most energetic circle pit of the night, was also a countdown to the end with the crowd hoping they’d actually survive to see LEVIATHAN. This was a well-received band who offered no doubt at all they could hold their own and create several hundred new fans in one night.

CROSSFAITH’s tour takes them back to Japan, then over to Russia, Ukraine, over to Ireland before returning to the UK for four dates towards the end of May. This is not a band to be missed. Buy your tickets now.

Set list

01. XENO
02. MONOLITH
03. JAGERBOMB
04. OMEN
05. RX OVERDRIVE
06. DEVIL’S PARTY
07. COUNTDOWN TO HELL
08. LEVIATHAN