Live Review from Christmas Chaos:
1. Thrash Em
2. Operation Blue Steal
3. Derail
4. Peace was never an option
5. unholy redeemer
6. first world enemies
7. lion rises
8. Seek and Destroy (Metallica)
Making their debut at The Underground, OzMium brought the energy and polish of a seasoned band, captivating the crowd with a raw, no-frills approach to metal. With minimal instrument effects compared to their predecessors, they let their musicianship and stage presence do the talking.
The night kicked off with Thrash Em, a song that opened with a melodic, doom-laden intro before launching into a Metallica-esque thrashy riff. The crowd didn’t take long to respond—mosh pits broke out, horns went up for the searing guitar solo, and the vocalist’s impressive growls commanded attention. Following this, Operation Blue Steal turned up the volume with its loud and thrashy sound. A killer lead hook had the crowd headbanging in perfect unison, and the solo whipped the mosh pit into a frenzy. Meanwhile, the bassist stole the spotlight with his wild headbanging and animated expressions, adding a dose of chaos to the mix.
The third song, Derail, slowed things down just enough to showcase the band’s charisma. The vocalist introduced bassist Simon, who flexed his skills with some flashy solo licks, before leading the crowd with rowdy chants of “oi!” The track’s fun groove and shouty, catchy chorus got everyone moving, and the vocalist’s James Hetfield-like growls added a familiar yet powerful edge.
OzMium then showcased their dynamic range with Peace Was Never an Option. Drummer Gary was introduced with a lengthy drum solo, setting the stage for an Arabian-inspired lead melody and intricate riff runs. The band’s tight coordination shone through as the bassist focused intently on the busy composition, keeping the song grounded amidst its complexity.
Unholy Redeemer brought a creepy, horror B-movie vibe to the set with its eerie intro and discordant riffs. The track ramped up to a thrashy pace, and the crowd swayed along to its groovy chorus as the band demonstrated their impressive synchronicity. By the time they hit First World Enemies, the energy was at an all-time high. The vocalist’s electrifying scream punctuated the song’s thrash-heavy sections, even when technical issues cut out the lead guitar halfway through. Undeterred, the band powered on, with the drummer seemingly conducting the crowd’s headbanging from his elevated perch.
The penultimate song, Lion Rises, paid homage to Iron Maiden with a galloping beat and soaring dual guitar solos. The repaired guitar added extra flair, and the crowd responded with raised horns, fully immersed in the energy of the finale.
OzMium closed their set with a thunderous cover of Metallica’s Seek and Destroy. Familiar with every riff and beat, the band played with precision and passion, earning a roar of approval from the crowd. The lead guitarist nailed the iconic solo, and as the final notes faded, the venue erupted into cheers. OzMium’s debut at The Underground was nothing short of triumphant, leaving no doubt that they’re a force to be reckoned with on the metal scene.
– Sherman Leung
