Himsa, Barfly, Birmingham

Mar 18 2008 By Mark Woodward

I'VE seen some strange things in my 30-odd years of watching live music, but a cow in the crowd was definitely a first.

Okay, it was someone dressed as a cow but at least it provided some mild amusement on what had initially threatened to be a rather low-key evening.

Opening supports Ted Maul - with their eclectic mix of deathcore and drum 'n' bass electronica - and hardcore upstarts Too Pure To Die failed to elicit much response from an apathetic audience, which prompted TPTD vocalist Paul Zurlo to admit: "Boy, you guys are tough!"

Things fared slightly better for A Life Once Lost before the arrival of Himsa finally snapped the crowd from their torpor.

As if to warn he wouldn't accept anything less than 100 per cent audience participation, singer John Pettibone was straight into the pit, his diminutive figure barely visible among the throng and as he roared out his call to arms.

It certainly did the trick as Seattle's finest delivered a crushing set of pure unadulterated American metal.

Songs performed from the Hail Horror and magnificent Summon In Thunder albums sounded even more immense up close and personal.