Pelican & High on Fire @ Oran Mor

Classic Heavy Metal histrionics have an enduring appeal that seems hard to nail down. Topless, sweat-drenched and tattooed High on Fire frontman Matt Pike is gurning his way through myriad solos and the windmilling metalhead crowd are responding with fevered appreciation. Devil horns pierce the air as High on Fire sweep through the hour-long set, a curious combination of break-neck pace juxtaposed against their lengthy track times. The music suffers a bit from repetitive refrain disorder but there's no denying the entertainment value of a band who use the catchline: 'The blood we bleed is black indeed.' Pelican offer a rather different stage presence but Oran Mor catches them bang on form. The guitars tinkle together through the vast build-ups and slam down as one for the ripping, distorted crescendos. Forecast for Today is typically note-perfect and unites the fans in an orgy of hair-raising atmosphere. This is a performance that's not a kick in the teeth of perfect in musicality and the set is laid out to underscore Pelican's dynamics to the fullest. Instrumental rock music as it should be done: no devil signs, face-pulling or grandiose soloing required. [Jamie Borthwick]