As people, we desire experience above all else. So, when experience presents itself for a tenner, who am I to say no? I decided to see Mrs Frighthouse play purely because of the price point, plus the fact that they describe themselves as an ‘industrial noise group’ and I wanted to know what on earth that meant.
Ladies and gents, I have had a thorough education and recommend you all sign up for a class. The uniform is your finest black drapery and as much white makeup as you can smear on your face.
Image Credit: Mrs Frighthouse via Instagram
Banshee Labyrinth is a small venue with gothic decor. I was glad I had put on my black jeans, less glad the only winter jacket I own is camo – blasphemy!
I am sure I will be forgiven my crimes in due course. First, a quick moment for our openers.
First, we had Blacq Forest Audio. Tragically, his laptop exploded the night before, so a lot of his planned show was reworked. He was good sport about it, making the audience laugh. All I can say is, sorry mate, I’m sure you’ll get us next time!
Jules Christ was next, recently renamed Demi and the Urge, a fantastic rebranding. The drag-fronted gothic-pop group, missing a member that night, put on a fantastic show dressed as a 1920s flapper girl with the gloves and feather head-dress to match.
The music was fun, but the performance was elevated by the choice of outfit and pure star power.
The final opener was Macon Heights. Disco music was not what I expected when I arrived at the Labyrinth, but I wasn’t disappointed. The audience were getting into the groove. Still, I waited in anticipation for the main event.
Finally, Mrs Frighthouse, wife and wife duo. Fresh from disco euphoria, I fear I was not as well prepared as I could’ve been for the explosion of raw and unfiltered rage released by the couple.
Dressed in gothic attire, scattering lilac flowers across the stage, Mrs Frighthouse – part metal screaming, part operatic singing, part something I’m not sure I can accurately describe – all raging like wildfire against abusers.
They are a devastating force to be reckoned with. Through the way they move and the way their voices seem to tear physically from their bodies, you can see real pain in their actions and real anger. The gothic outfits mixed with corpse paint and flowers remind me of a funeral or, later, someone who rose from the dead.
Image Credit: Mrs Frighthouse via Instagram
The songs tell a story of defiance against oppression, fuelled by righteous rage, there is something deeply unsettling about the way that they use the accordion to sound like disjointed breathing. The music knocks you off kilter and the background visuals help to keep you there.
Not advertised online, but advertised at the merch table, Mrs Frighthouse uses a projector to show videos of a surgical nature as they sing. Not a frivolous choice, they say they find the images to be healing. I’ll admit I was sceptical, but the imagery combined with the vocals work in harmony to make an environment that did feel like something was mending through the outpouring of emotion.
Image Credit: Mrs Frighthouse via Facebook
They ended with something more purely operatic that felt like the calm after the storm, hope in the face of catastrophe.
Mrs Frighthouse is a whirlwind, I left the concert feeling dumbstruck and a little rattled, but in the best way.
The duo is a fantastic band tearing their way into the Scottish metal scene. I look forward to the release of their debut album later this year.
You can keep up with the band through their Instagram, @mrsfrighthouse.
Featured Image Credit: Mrs Frighthouse via X (Twitter)
