earthtone9 live review
Publication: Metal Hammer
Month/Issue: August 2000
Writer: Darren Sadler

The Garagte, Barcelona
(7/10)

You'd have thought the Spaniards would be lapping up the chance to see Misery Loves Co., Kill 2 This and earthtone9 all on the same bill. Unfortunately the venue isn't exactly swarming with punters - perhaps everyone's overslept from their siestas? Consequently, earthtone9 end up playing to around 30 people, including four young ladies who have camped outside the venue all day waiting to meet their hero (Kill 2 This guitarist Mark Mynett), and another fanatic who's been collecting signatures on his guitar case. Being true professionals Nottingham's avant-garde noiseters don't care - it's their first time in Spain and they're still on a high from selling out shows in Italy.
Throughout the tour, the bands have been rotating the line-up and tonight it's up to the earthtone chaps to start the proceedings. Despite the reverberating sound from the empty hall, the boys do well, kicking off with 'Off Kilter', 'Grind And Click', and ending with 'I Nagual Eye'. The highlight tonight is the opportunity to hear songs from the band's forthcoming third album 'arc' tan' gent'. 'Approx. Purified', 'Evil Crawling I' and 'Alpha-Hi' eloquently combe aggression, Eastern flavour (a la Jane's Addiction) and chaotic vocals courtesy of mainman Karl Middleton and
guitarist Joe Roberts. Without relying on image, like so many bands currently residing the metal scene, earthtone9 are becoming a tour de force of millennium metal. They put on an entertaining show n' all. Not surprisingly, the handful of punters who did show are suitably impressed.