South Of Salem: Thekla, Bristol (27/03/25)

Whoooooo lives in a pineapple under the sea? Frankly we’ll never know on this expedition, as tonight’s venue, despite being a fucking boat, is permanently docked. However, even though this vessel hasn’t travelled far since the 1980’s when it transitioned from a German built cargo boat, to its earliest inception of a venue, it’s become an iconic piece of Bristol’s culture. Yes, we’re talking about The Thekla; the home of tonight’s gig, and it’s been a fair while since this reviewer has been aboard. But who are we here to see? An absolutely incredible line-up, let me tell you… 

Bournemouth-based horror rockers SOUTH OF SALEM kick off their new UK headline tour tonight, following the success of their recent album “The Death Of The Party”, but believe me, between them and their special guests, the party is, on paper at least, in FULL swing. The only problem here, is the venue itself, it killed tonight off for this reviewer and if you’ll allow me, I’ll share my thoughts and feelings on what SHOULD have been, a fantastic night of live music. Anchors aweigh, swab the deck and set sail for Bristol. All of that seafaring shit. Oh, look we’re already there…that’s convenient. If only the gig itself was plain sailing. 

After a brief wait in the impressive queue along the harbourside, we get in for doors ready to catch opening act IN SEARCH OF SUN [7] who I have a bit of history with. Back in the day, when I had a little online radio show, they were going by the name DRIVEN, and after seeing them get conga-lines going in Fuel Rock Club in Cardiff, and giving away signed EP’s of theirs on said show, it’s absolutely wonderful to see them not only still going strong, but absolutely owning it. They’ve honestly mastered their craft of funk-driven, progressive nu-metal infusion and they really are a joy to behold.  

With tracks like “Mega Piranha” we get a thoroughly thrash-metal inspired instrumental mauling, wonderfully padding Adam’s assertive vocal presence, but his ability to switch up for a well-carried, well-delivered chorus melody showcases not just a band, but a true frontman with substance. It’s a quality they’ve always had, but the years and experience have only allowed them to get better at what they do, and the confidence and calibre is beyond evident here. 

Tunes like “The Fire I Play With” house underlaying electronic backing elements, giving the track extra depth, and the band get the whole crowd involved for a wonderfully harmonious gang-vocal sing-along, amongst a fine flurry of riffs and funk-rich heaviness. Speaking of tracks like “Rhythm” bring an added layer of heaviness as Adam embraces more of an aggressive stance, powering through more metal-inspired portions of this one, while stand-in touring guitarist Quincy Lucion snarls and gurns like a man possessed.  

He’s a step away from Muppets Treasure Island and a dose of cabin fever; pulling all of the jibs and making this oh so enjoyably maniacal. An incredibly driven band, pardon the throwback pun, and more importantly a fucking talented one. The way these lads bring a sense of soul and heartfelt intensity into their funk-metal fusion is more than applaudable, and I’m personally happy that these guys continue to grow. These lemon amigos know how to let loose, and you need to catch these lads live. The sun may not shine below deck, but In Search Of Sun brighten up any room. 

After a quick vape break, we’re ready for tonight’s second band, HIGH PARASITE [7] and this is a Gothic death pop TREAT. Formed by MY DYING BRIDE’s Aaron Stainthorpe, they recently released their debut album “Forever We Burn”, with a firm belief that dark music shouldn’t be confined to the shadows, and I back that statement. Produced by PARADISE LOST’s Gregor Mackintosh, it’s a wonderfully fresh yet familiar take on an iconic sound, and the band certainly bring that tonight. However, as good as they are, Thekla doesn’t really do them justice. This venue DOES confine them to the shadows, as despite the level of intimacy found in the belly of a cargo ship, its cramp, we’re quite literally like a shipment of sardines for John West in our own sweaty brine. I feel like I’ve expired my sell-by-date! A sold-out show on any tour looks great on paper, but when you’re stuck back at the bar / merch area, where even you can touch the ceiling in places (Look I’m not a tall guy) it’s not comfortable. 

The band open with “Parasite” and it’s got a rather ominous tone, before the guitars kick in and we fleet between a real range of vocals. Torn between a deep croon, snarling vitriol and a bold, melodic angst there’s depth here, and the influence Paradise Lost have had is beyond evident, whilst delivering something unique too. “Concentric Nightmares” has this almost blackened metal quality laced with a brooding baritone and it switches up wonderfully. “Let It Fail” then really channels that distinctive Paradise Lost aura through the riff-work and presentation, for a really darkly metallic delivery, while “Forever We Burn” encapsulates everything we love about Gothic metal. An absolutely superb band, with a stellar debut, and they sound great tonight, but in such a small, narrow venue, this is sadly uncomfortable. Parasites? I felt more like a barnacle here, clustered and compact in a low tide rock pool hoping I don’t dehydrate. More beer please. 

This only worsens as SOUTH OF SALEM [7] hit the stage, as the vast majority of punters are here tonight for the horror-rock ensemble, and I’m pretty sure the boat sunk a little given how packed this room was. As a reviewer, it’s not about the moshing, or the pushing your way through a crowd to be at the front…you just want to be able to stand back, experience, absorb and take note…I honestly believe South Of Salem undersold themselves massively here, because there was barely room for a cat, let alone to swing one. 

Musically, let me be clear, these guys deliver, and their performance is top drawer. Opening their set with “Let Us Prey” they burst into a fast-paced, frenetic hard-rock hammering, with swagger, riffs-aplenty and all of the attitude. It’s got the hooks, the nostalgic 80’s glam elements, and this is a band with passion and a goal. They want to rock your socks off, they bridge genre gaps, and it’s ALL about the rock ‘n’ roll. You cannot fault these guys as performers, and they give 100% on every stage they play. Sadly, tonight’s stage is a claustrophobic cabin and it’s just a frustrating experience. 

We are treated however to a live debut, as for the first time, the band perform their cover of SAVAGE GARDEN’s mega pop hit “To The Moon And Back”, and it has to be said, when a cover works, oh boy is it brilliant. I always go back to HIM covering “Wicked Game”, or JOHNNY CASH covering “Hurt”…when you can take a song, and own it, it can be special, and these lads do the Aussie’s justice here let me tell you. The melody of the song, and the heartfelt lyricism is matched by the modern, guitar-driven take of the pop hit and it’s performed remarkably. Savage Garden aren’t exactly megastars themselves these days, but it’s testament to their song-writing that, despite not being active in twenty years, people still know and love this song. The sing-along is nothing shy of impressive here tonight, and they add an edge to an already incredibly catchy track, resulting in a brilliantly fun, nostalgic piece of crowd participation.  

Tracks like “Pretty Little Nightmare” hammer home the bands ability to blend dark lyricism with genuinely infectious rock laced pop sensibilities. The crowd here love this and there’s a fantastic vocal back and forth, one of many truth be told, as despite only being two albums deep, boy do the Salem lads provide the tunes. “Jet Black Eyes” takes things up a subtle notch for a percussion rich melodic mauling about acceptance, and understanding love and relationships. People come with flaws, faults and emotional baggage, but it’s about looking past that to find the person within, finding connection, relatability, and it’s wholesome in its message.  

We eventually end on “Death Of The Party”, appropriately rounding off the night. More gang vocal participation, riffs-aplenty and it’s an anthem of mortality. It’s about living life, the celebration of the one life you have and making the very most of it. An encouraging track bridging a gap between rebelliousness and confidence; never be afraid to be different…which brings us full circle to the venue. The Thekla on paper, is a cool little place; you get to perform on a ship, or boat or whatever you want to categorise it as. It’s quirky, something to tick off your little chum bucket list, but as I said, they undersold themselves.  

Thekla is an incredibly claustrophobic venue and not only the headliners tonight, but every band here deserved a bigger stage, and every punter here deserved a better layout. If you want to fight your way to the front to be at a thigh-high stage in a game of human Tetris, power to you, but for all of the bands here tonight, really, they should have, and probably could have performed at a bigger venue, and still sold out.  

The party went ahead, but the venue was the death in this instance. It’s an iconic landmark in Bristol, for sure, I’m not disputing that, but it’s very much a local boat for local people…culturally important, with a sentiment attached, but without taking away from three undeniably quality bands, tonight’s experience was frustratingly disappointing. The boat that rocked is a boat that’s docked and as a reviewer here tonight, the overwhelming sinking feeling is that Chief Brody was right…we’re going to need a bigger boat. Especially if they want to continue putting on bands of this quality. Now if you don’t mind…show me the way to go home, I’m tired and I want to go to bed. I had a little drink about, well, OK substantial drinks, and they’ve gone straight to my head…