The gig's finished, and it's 9:45. Yup, it's an early one for Manchester's finest undefinable, but thank the prog gods it doesn't matter one bit considering the quality tonight.
Playing a lot of material from 'Self Preserved While the Bodies Float Up' which is still warm from the shelves, Oceansize do manage to drop in those classics. However, opener 'Part Cardiac' definitely sets the scene; brooding, technical, emotive are just some of the words you could throw about concerning the sound. Studio efforts in the past include some of the best work any band this side of the century has committed to tape; 'Music For a Nurse' in particular shines, its melody and sheer simplicity coming across poignantly in the midst of the more heavy tunes present. Speaking of which, 'Self Preserved...' is their most hard-hitting record to date, most apparent in the wild thrashings of 'It's My Tail and I'll Chase it if I Want To' and the utterly, utterly show-stopping coda of 'Silent/Transparent'. There are few times I've heard an audience gasp after a full-stop.
It all comes to a chest-beating, euphoric climax with 'Ornament / The Last Wrongs', and then the sombre encore 'Women Who Love Men Who Love Drugs'. The last five or so minutes are incredibly affecting: lead singer Mike Vennart is alone centre-stage, looping a guitar arpeggio for what seems an aeon, a frozen photograph of life in noise. As simple as it sounds, it's the perfect ending to a bravura night, the guitar eventually fading into the ether and replaced by loud applause. Starting and finishing early to make room for Club NME seems almost offensive, but at least they made the damn most of it.
8.5 / 10
