Unprocessed, Allt, and Midwinter Rock El Club
April 29th was a cooler-than-average day. The rainy day was subsiding into a calm, overcast evening just in time for the doors to open at El Club in Detroit, MI. The incoming guests were lined up to experience a trio of bands, Unprocessed, Allt, and Midwinter — each from different countries, but united in their love for heavy music.
MIDWINTER
Midwinter kicked things off an hour after doors with their track “Dislocated.” The bed of bouncy synths paved the way for the crushing dissonance of panic chords that quickly followed. Like rubber meeting the road primed for a high-speed chase, this show was officially on the road, barreling with intention.
Their 30-minute set pulled from both ‘Is There Anything You Want to Say?’ and their newly released record from two weeks prior to this show, ‘A Love I Hope Will Haunt Me Forever.’ Tracks like “Silent Violence,” “Lying Figures,” and “Red Phantom” carried a balance of groove and chaos, with djenty influence sprinkled throughout. The soaring vocals of guitarist Kody Archer provided a complementary balance of soulfulness to accompany the rest of the ensemble.
Vocalist Billy Toth made a point to connect with the audience between songs, drawing a parallel between Cleveland and Detroit as cities often scrutinised and overlooked by the masses. With a grin and a sense of Midwest pride, his echoing words, “I guess we’re just built fucking different,” tee’d up the band into another crushing sequence. Closing with “Blood Bag,” Midwinter left the stage having firmly set the tone for the night ahead.
ALLT
Next up was Allt, making the journey from Sweden as a three-piece for this run, with their bassist and one guitarist staying home to be with their families and young children. This did not deter them in the slightest, as the band took the stage with a calm confidence that let the audience know they were in good hands.
Building directly off the foundation Midwinter laid, Allt not only added fury to the fire, but they let it soar even higher. Their atmospheric, thall-inspired sound translated effortlessly into the live setting, creating a dense and immersive soundscape that filled every inch of the room.
Leaning heavily into material from From the New World, heavy hitters like “The Orphan Breed,” “Emanate,” and “Echoes” showcased their ability to ebb, flow, and pack a punch and ignite some serious movement in the pit. It was a set that felt calculated and expansive all at once, proving that even as a three-piece, Allt delivered a full and commanding performance.
UNPROCESSED
Finally, it was time for Unprocessed. Moments before their set, vocalist and guitarist Manuel Gardner Fernandes stepped out with a noticeably raspy voice, announcing that his voice was not feeling great and that he was unsure if he would be able to sing during their performance. He reassured the audience that they would not be cancelling their set, but that it may be more instrumental. The audience was immediately understanding and eager to see them, shouting out supportive “we love you’s” as he met the rest of his band backstage.
Moments later, an extended twist of the ambient opening to “111” filled the air. As the members took their places on stage, like a track star waiting for the starting gun, once a disembodied voice muttered “Angel”, like a beautiful dichotomy, the viciousness of 8-string guitars chugs created an unholy symphony to fill every corner of the room. The high-calibre technicality of Unprocessed’s music was a joy to witness, as an array of dancing fingers cascaded along the spacious fretboards, accompanied by a driving percussion that met the strings at every step.
Bassist David John Levy stepped up and filled in the gaps of screaming parts until Manuel couldn’t resist the urge to test his voice on some softer singing portions. Largely refraining from harsh vocals, he even took a stab at some screaming towards the end of the set as well. The German quartet played heavy hitters from their new album Angel, such as “Beyond Heaven’s Gate,” “Sacrifice Me”, dipping into their previous album ‘…And Everything In Between,’ such as “Hell,” and “Lore,” and finished with an iconic two-song Encore of “Deadrose” and “Terrestrial” to end the night on a triumphant note.
From start to finish, the night was a worldwide showcase of the ever-evolving heavy music sphere across multiple styles and scenes. Each band brought something distinct to the table, and every member who set foot on the stage had unique talents to lend; we’re sure glad they did.
Catch Unprocessed on their Angel North American Tour through May 16th. Visit unprocessed.band for tickets and upcoming dates, and follow @unprocessedband on socials to stay up to date with everything Unprocessed.