Carpenter Brut / GosT (live at The Forum)

London
22 October 2018

In the last few years, an underground music scene has been steadily growing in strength. Taking its ideas from mostly horror and science fiction soundtracks of the 1980s and mainly using vintage synthesizers, the scene dubbed itself synthwave. Using a mismatch of John Carpenter, Giorgio Moroder and more recent bands like Zombi, synthwave has grown in stature mainly through the limited vinyl releases by what are usually studio-based bands. Artist such as Waveshaper, Dynatron and Code Elektro bask in the glorious of the days of VHS and electronic giallo soundtracks. The other reason the scene has grown is the popularity of retro shows like Stranger Things and its synth-based soundtrack.

Tonight’s show features two of the premium acts from the synthwave scene, and the opening act GosT is a solo performer with a lot of energy. He has synths set up but mainly prowls the stage, his head covered in a black veil as he sings powerfully into his mic. The tracks are heavy on pulsating sequencer rhythms with dark, brooding basslines rumbling beneath. Songs such as “Bathory Bitch” and “Sigil” are tinged with a dark occult menace that makes it sound like Hallowe’en everyday. There are slabs of industrial sounds among the synth stabs that add an extra jarring weirdness to the melodies. GosT’s final track of the evening is a very straightforward cover of Nine Inch Nails’ “Head Like A Hole” that is screamed out to the joy of the audience, so here the artist is tipping his hat to those who went before.

After the entire audience sings loudly along to Toto’s “Africa” as it is played over the PA, Carpenter Brut finally take to the stage. They are a very different proposition, featuring a keyboard player, a guitarist and a drummer, and somehow they already seem more retro than GosT before they have even played a note. Tonight they are promoting their new vinyl Leather Teeth and the opening track they play is its title song. With swirling lights and images on the screen behind from various ’80s slasher films, this certainly makes for an intoxicating brew of elements.

Most of the tracks are a rhythm lead with drums pounding in time to sequenced synth patterns and chugging guitar motifs. Over the top of this there are soaring and memorable Moog-sounding synth melodies that hook you in straightaway and have the crowd chanting along to some of them. Tracks such as “Roller Mobster” and “Beware The Beast”, whose lyrics appear on the screen behind the band, fire up the audience to an almost moshpit frenzy. It’s strange seeing such scenes at predominately a synth-based gig, but with Carpenter Brut the rhythm is everything. At some points I try to guess or remember what films the clips are from shown on the video wall behind (Trick Or Treat from 1986 is instantly recognisable).

“Turbo Killer” punches with power while “Inferno Galore” has an almost Goblin-like prog rock sound to it, especially during its middle section. Playing around with different ideas is Carpenter Brut’s strength, going from powerhouse to subtlety within a few seconds keeps their sound fresh and works especially well on their triple vinyl release Trilogy. “Meet Matt Stryker” and “Monday Hunt” conjure up all the strangeness and melody of a John Carpenter soundtrack. They are played with such verve and excitement you can’t help but be pulled into the whole feeling and be transported back to late-night video horrorthons of the ’80s in all their glorious grainy quality.

The last track of the night is a cover version of “Maniac”, a song that features in the film Flashdance; it’s given a slightly creepier edge to make you just wonder what kind of maniac the band are talking about, but it sends you home with a smile on your face.

I hope more synthwave artists begin to tour. I know Purturbator has played here a couple of times, because judging by the UK audience reaction it seems there are a lot of people out there hungry to hear this kind of music live.

-Gary Parsons-