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Nails @ Europa

Story and photos by Jess Blumensheid

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If this show were all ages, Nails‘ boiling energy would’ve suited the youth. When Nails played on a five-foot pedestal at Brooklyn’s Europa, they virtually put up a brick wall.

You could feel their discontent with the spacious venue, as guitarist/vocalist Todd Jones suggested to move your fucking ass with circling arms and air punches. Although Nails’ pleas went unfulfilled, their emotions backfired in the best way possible – they pitted against themselves with abrasive expletives, making their sound more tough, tight, and tense.

Pouring sweat showed how focused they were. They dressed most of the 20 minutes with tracks from Unsilent Death. “Suffering Soul” was particularly awesome. Blastbeats brought out yet more energy, the most enjoyable quality about the trio live. Despite them begging for our attention, their desperation made their stage presence more appealing. (This can’t be said about openers Villains. Their sound is best reserved for on record, unless you’re into seeing Lino Reca flail his tongue and air hump a bottle of Polish Żywiec.)

“Suffering Soul”
[audio: NAILS_SUFFERINGSOUL.mp3]

During “Unsilent Death”, guitars marched and wailed in feedback during spiraling solos, sounding as if they would fall apart at any second. Blastbeats and tight riffs exploded in raging fits, and I was soon sporting Jones’ tight-neck movements.

I chuckled when Jones and John Gianelli (bass) flapped their lips and cheeks from violently flailing their heads side to side. This enabled a fresh heap of saliva to fly from Jones’ mouth to his shirt. For Nails, drooling on oneself was the best evidence of raging. If only the fans could say the same for themselves.

Although the red hue helped mask the fact, Gianelli’s body gleamed as red as fresh-cooked lobster when all was said and done. It was obvious Nails had either just experienced the best workout, or had found the most suitable outlet to unleash their frustration. So much energy in so little time makes Nails one of the most impressive grind acts live.

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Venomous Concept

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Despite a setlist stretching two columns long, headliners Venomous Concept took their time to get friendly and introduce themselves to the sparse crowd. Kevin Sharp’s playful stage banter was as charming as ever, especially when he exposed an impressive beer belly, flailed his tongue, and pranced around barefoot.

Overall, their hour-plus-long set was fun. The feel-good punk attitude in “Water Cooler” and “Workers of the World” struck home for those who had to trek to the office the following morning. Venomous Concept kept bodies awake and alive – a lot for crowds in these parts.

— Jess Blumensheid

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