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THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT / Photo – @alchemi_glow_music_phot

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THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT
+ Hands Like Houses + Tomi Ship
@ Freo Social, Perth,
1st March, 2025
(Live Review)

Review by Amy Smith

Photos by Michael Gow (@alchemi_glow_music_phot)

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THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT / Photo – @alchemi_glow_music_phot

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Australia’s unique ecosystem for music production has created some of the best bands in the world-  this is especially true in the progressive metal space. When talking about Aussie prog metal you cannot fail to mention The Butterfly Effect. Last year, the band celebrated the 20 year anniversary of their seminal debut album Begins Here. Well, clearly Aussies couldn’t get enough! After a highly successful national tour, they are back out on the road again, this time heading to less visited,  regional areas. Tonight, with Yomi Ship and Hands Like Houses in tow, they demonstrated just what the Aussie Rock scene has to offer.

First up we have local instrumental three piece Yomi Ship. Don’t be fooled by this bands visually minimalist approach, there is actually quite a lot to unpack. Jarred Osborne (Guitar), Nick Osborne (Drums) and Jade Champion (Bass) make it look easy, nonchalantly playing under basic lighting, but if you switch on you would notice the complex melodic and rhythmic structures of their compositions. Despite all the complexity, the songs are pleasing to the ear so you could choose to switch the analysing mind off and just enjoy the atmospheric soundscapes.

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HANDS LIKE HOUSES / Photo – @alchemi_glow_music_phot

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Now that our minds have had a workout, it was time to physically warm up the body. Hands Like Houses hard rock tunes were perfect  to do the job. The rhythm section almost forced you to move, feeling the bass rumble right through the body. If the music wasn’t enough to take you, Front man, Josh Raven, jumped down from the stage and got in and amongst the crowd, as extra encouragement. “Show of hands who has heard of us” Josh asked. About 50% of the crowd cheered in agreement. “Fuck yeah! Welcome!” Josh enthusiastically approved. “Show of hands who’s never heard of us and don’t know what the fuck is going on”. I swear there were some pranksters who raised their hands for both questions.  “Nice to meet you!” Josh welcomed the uninitiated. He continued to engage in quite a bit of banter throughout the set, some of it hilarious, some of it awkward (which was hilarious in itself). It is a hard gig to be the new person stepping into an already established band- but Josh has taken in his stride and made his own mark. The set was heavily centred on 2025, Atmospherics, with only one older tune Colourblind making the cut. “Sing along if you know this one” Josh encouraged, drawing out the long time fans out in the crowd.

A collective sigh of anticipation was released when the house lights went down, signalling the start of the main event.The stage was bathed in blue, just like the Begins Here album cover, of which The Butterfly Effect would play from start to finish. Kurt Goedhart (Guitar), Glenn Esmond (Bass) and Ben Hall’s (Drums) took up their places on the stage to open with the first, instrumental track Intro.

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HANDS LIKE HOUSES / Photo – @alchemi_glow_music_phot

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As the final notes of the ethereal opening track rang out, vocalist Clint Boge appeared, and things suddenly took a heavier turn with Perception twin. The crowd went feral!

Watching Clint perform live is an awe inspiring experience. The control that he has over his voice is first-rate. Songs like Consequence showcased his ability to switch up vocal quality from smooth as butter to breathy to rough, with a just bit of added grit, right through to straight up growls. Throughout the night he also showed off his impressive range-seamlessly able reach soaring heights as well as thundering lows.

This tour saw keyboardist, Ian Peres, along for the ride, who brought an extra layer to the set. Particularly during the stripped back moments throughout the show.  Beautiful Mine, Overwhelmed and Gone, gave us space to really focus on the nuances of Clint’s emotion soaked vocals. It was truely powerful when the full band kicked in at certain points in these songs, shivers right down the spine!

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THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT / Photo – @alchemi_glow_music_phot

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While Clint’s technically proficient vocals are certainly something to marvel at, what really draws you in is his presence. Raw emotion and vulnerability oozes  out of every pore on Clint’s body. It leaks out through unique vocal idiosyncrasies, facial expressions and movement. There was a lot of ‘hand on heart’ throughout the set. He’s not merely performing, he is living every single lyric. It’s this authenticity that makes him so engaging to watch and connect with.

In fact, every band member on the stage radiates authenticity. Kurt, Glenn and Ben are all technically proficient at their respective instruments and approach each song in a way that really brings it to life, passionately feeling each note. They are also not afraid to engage with, not only each other, but the entire audience creating a genuinely loving environment.

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THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT / Photo – @alchemi_glow_music_phot

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This energy radiated outward from the stage, filling the whole venue. We were not simply observers of the show, we were part of it. Every soul not only interacting with the band, but also with those around them. We may have entered the venue as strangers, but for these few short hours, we were all connected through our love of music.  This was beautifully illustrated when the band stopped everything during Always, letting the crowds voice take over. Collective cries of  “I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS!” shook the building. Clint’s voice was drowned out when he and the band came back in!

After playing all 13 tracks from Begins Here,  the band left the stage for a brief moment before coming back with a 4 song encore. They weren’t about to let us off this emotional rollercoaster, starting with a stripped back version of Gone. Those who still had ample energy took the opportunity to thrash their bodies around to heavier tune Nil By Mouth. No voice remained quiet during crowd favourites, Window and the Watcher and Reach.

Tonight proved that live music is so important and healing. It demonstrated why we will continue to show up for as long as these bands continue to tour!

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THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT / Photo – @alchemi_glow_music_phot

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Check out Michael Gow’s (@alchemi_glow_music_phot) full gallery of the 22nd February 2025 Village Green Hotel, Melbourne event HERE

Check out Carlie Tanithskye’s (@cts_photography_) full gallery of the 7th February 2025 Racecourse Hotel Ipswich event HERE

Check out Michael Gow’s live review of the Melbourne event HERE

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THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT / Photo – @alchemi_glow_music_phot

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Follow THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT
Youtube – Instagram – Facebook – Spotify

Follow HANDS LIKE HOUSES
Website – Facebook – Instagram – Twitter

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THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT / Photo – @alchemi_glow_music_phot

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Press Release 16th September 2024 (below) HERE

THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT
announce
’21 YEARS OF BEGINS HERE’
‘By Demand Regional Tour’
for early 2025
with special guests
HANDS LIKE HOUSES

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THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT
21 YEARS OF BEGINS HERE
2025 Regional Tour Dates:

With special guests Hands Like Houses

Tickets available from thebutterflyeffectband.com.au

THU 30 JAN | GILLIGAN’S, CAIRNS, QLD | 18+
 FRI 31 JAN | DALRYMPLE HOTEL, TOWNSVILLE, QLD | 18+
SAT 1 FEB | MCGUIRE’S HOTEL, MACKAY, QLD | 18+
SUN 2 FEB | HARVEY ROAD TAVERN, GLADSTONE, QLD | 18+
THU 6 FEB | KINGS BEACH TAVERN, CALOUNDRA, QLD | 18+
FRI 7 FEB | RACECOURSE HOTEL, IPSWICH, QLD | 18+
SAT 8 FEB | SOPO, GOLD COAST, QLD | 18+
SUN 9 FEB | HOEY MOEY, COFFS HARBOUR, NSW | 18+
THU 13 FEB | DRIFTERS WHARF, GOSFORD, NSW | 18+
FRI 14 FEB | WAVES, WOLLONGONG, NSW | 18+
SAT 15 FEB | PANTHERS, PENRITH, NSW | 18+
SUN 16 FEB | DEE WHY RSL, DEE WHY, NSW | 18+
THU 20 FEB | BEER DELUXE, ALBURY, NSW | 18+
FRI 21 FEB | TORQUAY HOTEL, TORQUAY, VIC | 18+
SAT 22 FEB | VILLAGE GREEN, FERNTREE GULLY, VIC | 18+
SUN 23 FEB | PIER HOTEL, FRANKSTON, VIC | 18+
THU 27 FEB | SETTLERS TAVERN, MARGARET RIVER, WA | 18+
FRI 28 FEB | PRINCE OF WALES, BUNBURY, WA | 18+
SAT 1 MAR | FREO SOCIAL, FREMANTLE, WA | 18+
SUN 2 MAR | LOOP, JOONDALUP, WA | 18+
THU 6 MAR | THEATRE ROYALE, CASTLEMAINE, VIC | 18+
FRI 7 MAR | THE SETTS, MILDURA, VIC | 18+
SAT 8 MAR | BEER & BBQ FEST, MT GAMBIER, SA | 18+
SUN 9 MAR | BRIDGEWAY HOTEL, POORAKA, SA | 18+
FRI 14 MAR | DISCOVERY, DARWIN, NT | 18+

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AMNPLIFY – DB