Soma Dark, Promethium, Incidium, Rozetta Stone, Fallen Agenda, & Fury in the Fire - Helrazer III - Zanzibar - 28.10.11

Helrazer III

Soma Dark, Promethium, Incidium, Rozetta Stone, Fallen Agenda and Fury in the Fire

Zanzibar, Liverpool

28.10.11

Despite having a terrible week and Helrazer III being at the end of that week it didn’t turn out too bad, although at the beginning things didn’t run as smooth as I had hoped. But thanks to Dil for sorting out the extra guitar cabs and Tony and Paul for sorting the tickets out, disaster was averted to some degree.

Soma Dark – Stockport

Links:       

http://www.somadark.com

http://www.myspace.com/somadark

Genre: Melodic Metal

Soma Dark went on stage a little later than planned but performed a fantastic set.  It was great to experience this band live for the first time ever.  They really set the pace for what turned out to be a good mix of local and out of town talent.

“Forsaken and falling” just mesmerized.  Hard hitting riffs and superb vocals just blasted from the Zanzi speakers – awesome track.

I simply loved the track “Passengers of Time” too it really kicked ass! Melodic, yet dark and heavy and really hit the spot! Pat did an awesome job with the sound as normal.  Mike’s vocals just ripped through the Zanzi and it was clear for all to see that the guys really enjoyed playing live to an excited crowd, me included.

Insane riffs that just kept coming at ya from all angles, the band steamed through their five strong set-list in a blaze of glory!

Catching up with Arun after the gig, he told me “he had always wanted to play at the Zanzi and he had enjoyed every minute of it!” Just as we enjoyed every minute of their heavy laden-riff set! Thanks again guys you kicked ass! And thanks for the CD too – will review that soon!

Set List:

Freight Train

Resolute

Forsaken and Falling

Passengers of Time

Lies Behind

Members:

Mike Hardman - Vocals

Arun Kamath - Guitars

Stuart Armriding - Guitars

Luke Jones - Bass

James "Mac" McMurrough – Drums

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Promethium – Lancaster

Links:

http://www.myspace.com/promethium666

Genre: Metal

Promethium was up next and being friends of theirs for such a long time, I couldn’t believe I was finally going to get to see them perform live for the first time.  They didn’t disappoint! The energy just soared to an amazing height with each track the guys did.

My fave track of the night without a doubt was “Visions” it was so expertly executed and such a great track to rock out to.  The whole set was energetic, punchy and down-right heavy!

Strange listening to these tracks ages before the gig and hearing them all live was just a great experience! Amazing vocals from Gaz and such great riffs from Rozzi and Dan, blinding bass from Barry and pounding drum beats from Allan, they really murdered the Zanzibar. Be sure to check these guys out and listen to their stuff on MySpace and you will see what I mean! Thanks guys great set indeed!

Set-List:

Tribute to the Fallen

Visions

Meaning of Trust

Nothing

The Curse

Trapped

Murder

Members:

Dan - Guitar

Gary - Lungs

Rossi - Guitar - Vocals

Barry - Bass - Vocals

Allan – Drums

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Incidium – Manchester

Links:

http://www.Incidium.co.uk

http://www.myspace.com/incidiumuk

Genre: Metal / Thrash / Melodic Death Metal / Groove

Incidium really raised the notches higher on the musical scale and immediately as they hit the stage Dan and Andy were up whirling their locks.  You couldn’t fail to be impressed with the band or the set they played at Helrazer and Raze Hel they did to the most extreme levels possible.

Chris’s feet hit those pedals in what could only be described as an amazing array of kicks.  Everyone formed around the stage and let rip! Thunderous guitar riffs just kept coming at you with tremendous speed, force and ferocity.

Gabe a burly 6 footer, stood proud with his guitar and occasionally a small flicker of a smile flashed across his face, as most of the time his concentration was needed to fire up the strings.

Since when I saw them at Metal Assault some months back I knew I had to see these guys again.  Everyone agreed they were awesome and awesome they were no doubt about it! Click on the links above to be totally blown away by the fierce aggressive power of Incidium! If you love your music raw, loud and aggressive then this band will not fail to impress you.  Thanks for the signed CD guys will be reviewing that soon.

Set List:

Intoxicated
Piss Flaps
Prophecy
Hang
Biskwits
Betrayal

Members:

Gabe Mitri - Guitar & Vocals

Chris Topham - Drums

Joe Ratcliffe - Bass Guitar

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Rozetta Stone – Liverpool

Links:

www.twitter.com/rozetta_stone

www.reverbnation.com/rozettastone

www.myspace.com/rozettastoneuk

Genre: Rock

UPCOMING SHOWS:

Fri. 18th Nov @ THE MANCHESTER ACADEMY, 7.30PM

Fri. 16th Dec @ MELLO MELLO, Supporting ATTICA RAGE, 7.30PM

Next up were Rozetta Stone.  Their unique blend of rock just appealed to the female audience.  Their set was brilliant and had crowds gathered around the stage.  They opened up with “Give me more” a great rocky track with catchy lyrics and guitar and definitely a favourite track of mine. Ash really gave those drums a good pounding, his blonde hair covering his face most of the time.

The band had that laid back approach but still it gripped the audience and left everyone in no doubt that they could kick ass, even with their bluesy track “Primal” Girls screeched in every direction as each track came to an end.  Fantastic set by the band and enjoyed by everyone!

Dil wore the most colourful of socks, and bounced happily around the stage to claps and cheers amongst the gobsmacked audience! Although Louis has an exceptionally quiet voice there was nothing quiet about the notes he hit during the set – really phenomenal. Classic rock at its finest! Check the band out on the links above and decide for yourself, but if you love classic rock then you can only “love” Rozetta Stone! Amazing set! Remember Rozetta Stone with a “Z”

Set List:

Give me more

Primal

Save me

Raging Sun

Girl of my dreams

Members:

Louis Jackson-Payne: Vocals

Chris Dixon: Guitars

Dil: Guitars

J. 'Juan Can' Lashbrooke: Bass

Ashley Janes: Drums

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Fallen Agenda – Wirral

Links:

http://www.fallenagenda.com

Genre: Dark Rock

Fallen Agenda really made one heck of an effort at Helrazer III.  They were the first band to arrive for sound check, dressed up for “Heloween” and even got a mosh pit to form. Absolutely incredible!

The best I have ever seen Fallen Agenda.  They are just growing each time I see them live and delivering such fantastic sets.

Singing a new song “The Violent Kind” which I really loved! It smacked you right between the eyes and is, I feel a lot heavier than Fallen Agenda have done in the past.  Although “The Otherside” and “Glorious Flames” were just awesomely played are still my favourite tracks.

Naomi really came into her own at Helrazer. She has the vocals that remind me of Heart, really strong and powerful and sung with so much feeling.  She had a great rapport with the hungry metal crowd.  Izzy looked amazing in her costume and although she said she was nervous it didn’t show at all.  Shan looked relaxed behind his kit, although he later said on facebook that the costumes were a bad idea, probably due to the fact that the heat on stage wasn’t helping matters, but he never missed a beat.  Gary made great use of the stage and it was once again a pleasure to see this band perform live, at which I thought was their best performance yet.

The mosh pit formed and everyone just went crazy! Quite remarkable for a rock band but Fallen Agenda have come a long way in such a short space of time and deserve the credit.  Looking forward to seeing them play live again and seeing what they have up their sleeve for next time! Just check them out on the link above, you will be impressed!

Set List:

Breathe

The Otherside

Bodydrop

All I am

Surrender

SOS (Cover)

The Violent Kind

Glorious Flames

Members:

Naomi- Vocals

Izzy-Guitar/Backing vocals

Gary-Bass

Shan-Drums

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Fury in the Fire – Liverpool

Links:

http://myspace.com/furyinthefire

http://soundcloud.com/furysoundcloud

http://www.mediafire.com/?gancsc45s8cwb

EP Storm Center available for download on the above link.

Genre: Metal

It has been a while since I last saw Fury in the Fire which was at the Head of Steam along with Fallen Agenda, so it was great to see the guys again live at Helrazer III.

Like Fallen Agenda the guys made an effort for “Heloween” but how Harrison the band’s bassist played the whole set in rubber gloves I shall never know! The energy burst forth and they delivered a very punchy and very loud set.

James did the whole set with a sack over his head which must have been very uncomfortable to do, under the gaze of the Zanzi lights, but never the less it was one fiery and ferocious set.  Storm Center was amazing and if you want to hear it check out the above link for download it is well worth it!

Set List:

House of sin 13

Honour the Fallen

Mogul Xian King

Across the burning Empires

Storm Centre

Members:

Andy Allchurch - Lead Vocals

Kei Alfonso - Lead Guitar & Vocals

James Valentine - Guitar

Dom Brennan - Percussion

Harrison Taylor - Bass Guitar

SFS, HSA, Bludvera, Dyscaphia, Dr Aids, Hovadah, & Attack of the Mad Axe Men - Basement 20 - 27.10.11

SFS, HSA, Bludvera, Dyscaphia, Dr Aids, Hovadah and Attack of the Mad Axe Men

Basement 20

27.10.11

Despite being ill and getting to the gig around 8.30 after an extremely horrifically stressful day I missed HSA and SFS which was unfortunate to say the least But arrived just in time to see Bludvera do a blistering set.

As Basement 20 is such a small dark place there was the usual melee of bodies around and so getting set lists was truly difficult and arriving late didn’t help matters. This gig was slightly more aggressive than previous and the two altercations that brought disharmony, hopefully now with differences sorted out, it was still an immensely entertaining gig all in all.

Bludvera – Liverpool

Links:

http://www.myspace.com/bludvera

http://www.twitter.com/bludvera

Genre: Thrash

Having seen Bludvera live! on a couple of occasions I knew what I was in for and glad I had witnessed the band in the earlier stages of their musical career. They never fail to impress and there was a good crowd in to see them perform, which is always good to see.

Glad they played “Total Recall” it has to be my favourite track by the band. Scott was on form belting out the awesome lyrics and great to see the band play live again after such a long time, and not only that but Bludvera are due to release this very track in just two weeks from now!!! So look out for that one!

Patto let rip on guitar in true Patto style and with that awesome guitar of his, these thrashers are well worth seeing live! Bludvera are certainly on the way up and good luck to them.

Quality thrash metal sung and played at its extreme best and definitely worth heading over to MySpace for a like and a listen! Great set guys!!!

Members:

Scott (Vocals)

Patto (Guitar)

Mike (Guitar)

Lui (Bass)

Baz (Drums)

Dyscaphia – Manchester

Links:

http://www.myspace.com/dyscaphia

https://www.facebook.com/Dyscaphia

Genre: Technical/Death/Grind

Dyscaphia were formed in 2008 and surprisingly have only 337 likes on facebook.  This is outrageous as these guys played an absolutely awesome set at Basement 20.  Talk about “underground” so do head on over to their page and give them a like if you love technical death grind they are what can only be described as dark thunderous metal with a wicked twist of delicious brutality!

No set list for these guys either which is a shame but there are a few tracks out there if you look hard enough. 

Evil vocals and tumultuous riffs that engulfed you with every blast, really awesome!  Great set that will stay with me for some time to come. Check them out and let’s see the fan base rise!

Members:

Sean - Vox

Tarkan - Guitar / Backing vox

Warlock - Bass

Scott - Drums

DR AIDS – Liverpool/Wirral/Formby

Links:

http://draids.bandcamp.com/

http://agzdaredz.blogspot.com/

Genre: Hardcore Punk, Early Grind, D-Beat, NecroQuegCuntCore

Dr Aids really got down and dirty with their set. Piggy adorned a pink shower cap – maybe he didn’t want his hair to get messed up with beer – who knows! There was enough of it flying around.  And poor Mr Yeardsley lay on a beer stained floor whilst being abused by most in the crowd who poured beer into his more personal areas as well as being sat on I did feel sorry for him.

The usual mosh pit formed and fuck was it violent.  Joe and Wogg were diving into the crowd and running about like mad men, and didn’t recognise Kabir with his luscious hair down. Sorry Kabir!

Agzy told me later that they actually did “Drive me to kill you” before “Syndrome Moan” but he only sings the chorus as he had a bit of difficulty remembering the verses, plus Piggy was fighting his own war of sorts and poor Agzy says he fucked up “Supermarket Creep” but saying all that Dr Aids despite these fuck ups produced a very entertaining set whilst still managing to look cool, as I mentioned before and judging by the crowd I don’t think they even noticed due to the copious amounts of ale they were putting back, amazing how they even found the mosh pit to be perfectly honest!

Very difficult to have just one favourite track as they all kick ass, but I love “Die Kyle Die” so pissed that they won’t be playing this again which sucks! Short and to the point the Dr Aids tracks just leapt out and throttled you with extreme severity although still with that tongue in cheek humour and very cleverly done.

Joe destroyed his kit with passion as he did last time, whilst Agz bellowed out the tracks that he remembered with Stella in hand, no wonder Dad’s go to Iceland!! The Basement just rocked with sheer aggression and power and again a great set from the Aids guys but I didn’t expect anything less!

Click on the links above for free download of their EP – You will be so glad you did!

Set-List:

-BBC Ruined my wank/Simply Cunt

-Die Kyle Die (LAST TIME??)

-Shit Eating Freak

-Stage Dive Injury

-Stiff & Blue Screw

-Captain Paedophile

-2 Down 2 to Go

- Man of Many Ass Fetishes

-Supermarket Creep

-Fellate My Phallus/Rat

-Ballad of a Pre Op Tranny

-Horse bitch In the Shitty

-Syndrome Moan

-Drive Me to Kill You

-That’s why Dad’s go to Iceland

-Katie Price /Bite it you CUNT!!"

Members:

,Agz-Vocals & Stella Drinking

Piggy-Vocals & German Beers

Petch-Guitar & Any Fucking Drink!

H-Bass & Strongbow

Joe-Drums & Anal!

Hovadah – London

Links:

http://www.myspace.com/hovadahband

Genre: Grindcore

Hovadah are from London and formed in 2005, but despite this have only 56 likes on their Facebook page!!! Which surprises me as their music can only be described as extremely loud, brutal and to the extreme! So come on everyone like their fucking page for fucks sake! More promotion needed for this band me thinks.

Vocals were brutal as fuck and definitely made my ears bleed... that will teach me to stand too close to the speakers! Their tracks were short and anything but sweet as they melted the faces off the gawping moshers in the pit, and definitely NOT out of place at a Dr Aids gig for sure!

Again no set-list but go and check them out on MySpace I think you will be pleasantly surprised!  If you love Grind then it is worth the click to hear these guys and what they are capable of. For a threesome (oohhh errr) they made a lot of noise!!! And I do not believe for one second that they love X Factor! Although I am sure they are very nice guys.

Members:

Dali - Drums, Vox

Prema - Bass, Vox

Tomas - Guitar, Lead Vox

Mad Axe Men – Germany

Links:

http://www.animalgrind.org

http://www.myspace.com/attackofthemadaxeman

Genre: Animal Grind, Grindcore, Fastcore, Hardcore, Deathmetal

And now as they say “For Something completely different” These guys were just awesome, not just musically but visionary too!  Complete with animal costumes and face paint they definitely put animal grind on the map!  Deutschland definitely came to the UK with snarling aggression, and a feast for the eyes as well as ears! They put tremendous effort into their set without a doubt! The costumes were excellent and really added to the great animal theme, and so animal grind was born. The owl costume was superb and there was that evil glint behind the mask which added to the extremity of the set. The turtle costume again was amazing and no doubt very hot to wear under the lights as dim as they were.

Each song blasted with ferocity and the pyrotechnics a joy to behold. Pity I couldn’t get my phone out of my bag quick enough to catch the effects and the faces of the astounded “moshers” that had gathered in such close proximity to the stage as an array of fiery sparks hit the ceiling and cascaded to the floor.

Despite it being past 1am there were still quite a number of people who stuck around to witness these animalistic antics and rightly so, as for anyone leaving before they hit the stage, they missed an amazing show! Shame on you!

It may be some time before the guys return to the UK, but so glad I was there to witness this array of animal awesomeness in all its glory!

Fantastic set from beginning to end. Check these guys out you will not fail to be totally awe struck! Komm mal wieder! As they say in Deutchland...

Set-List:

Scumdogs

3 strikes

Arshbombe

Mary B

2 Turtles

Elster

Mr Chocolate

Placenta Visionen

Evolution

16 Fauste

Vogelspinne

Systematic

Marder

Mit arbeiter

Woodgrinder

Biene

Hase

Forest Fire

Klappe Zu

Members  

Helix Pomatia (Drums)

Bubo Bubo (Guitar)

Emys Orbicularis (Vocals)

Apis Melifera (Bass, Vocals)

Sciurus Vulgaris (Guitar)

Yet again another feast of entertainment from Agz and the crew, with a fantastic line up of bands.  Well done to all.  Great night! And great meeting old faces, Kabir, Pete, Wogg, Faye, and Steve, as well as meeting new ones Hemma, and Luciano!