A City’s Hero’s – The Torn
Prince – Grind Horizon – Her Last Goodbye – Set upon Invasion
Lomax – Liverpool
3.7.12
Second time at
the Lomax for me and both times had a great night! Granted the second time was
not as packed as the first and there were no bouncers on the door but The Lomax
had a totally laid back feel on the night - the place really offered friendly
staff with a good sound tech too, which says a lot so well done Phil! *Worth noting though that the sound for
A City’s Hero was not done by Phil
but someone else*
There
were only a few select people at the gig but everyone supported each other and
the feeling was one of togetherness. Mark Goodall the drummer from Her Last Goodbye was a real gent and
brought me a chair so I could watch the gig in some comfort whilst Dan Smith
bassist with Set upon Invasion held
the door for me – chivalry thrives at the Lomax!
Time Slots
A City's Hero - 7.30
The Torn Prince - 8.15
Grind Horizon - 9.00
Her Last Goodbye - 9.45
Set Upon Invasion - 10.30
A City’s Hero’s – Rainhill, Liverpool
Links:
Genre: Post Hardcore
Formed
September 2011 this four man strong army hails from the Rainhill area of
Liverpool. This was their second gig – not that you could tell – they looked
pretty relaxed and happy as their 8 long track set unfolded.
Lew has clean
vocals and surrounded by a melodic force of catchy rhythms and pounding drums.
Despite being under the genre of post hard core – meaning a genre that emerged
from punk this band does not sound punk at all. Yes the guitars are heavy and
catchy and they produce some great melodies but punk it isn’t! The band is more
sort of heavy middle of the road sounding with no extreme vocal but they did
pump out some nice heavy riffs.
The vocals are
not screamo but do suit the music quite well when I could hear them as some of
the sound was lost at some point but that was the sound tech’s fault and NOT
Phil’s (The Lomax Tech) either.
Redeemer the
band’s first track was for me the heaviest of the six track set. It blistered.
But being a bit out of my comfort zone here as A City’s Hero is not a band I would normally listen to preferring
the more extreme of vocals but they did put on a great set.
The track City on its Knees did have some extra
vocal content that was pretty gruff and welcome in the set with some great
melodic chugs – my fave track from the band!
Have a listen
to the bands’ debut EP http://tinyurl.com/bvhevhl for free - 18 and a-half minutes – it could grow on you!
3/5
3/5
Set List:
Redeemer
The Fan Incident
Prelude
Time to Run
City on its knees
18
Superstition
Fight another Day
Members:
Lew Mobey - Rhythm Guitar & Vocals
Jake Baxendale - Lead Guitar & Vocals
Adam Molyneux - Bass
Joel Mobey - Drums & Vocals
****************************************************
The Torn Prince – Ormskirk
Links:
Genre: Metalcore
Four man band Torn Prince hail from Ormskirk and
literally ripped a new asshole for Liverpool with their thunderous melodic and
vibrant set. The notches just got raised again.
I had wanted to
see the band play for quite a while now and so this was extra special for me
personally. The guys were just amazing live! They chugged out the most
“thrashy” and melodic of tracks that were extremely addictive watching and
listening.
The guitar was
just so stupendous. My favourite tracks
are Ice to Touch and Burnt Out for their sheer catchiness and raw unadulterated
power imaginable. Ice to Touch starts with some beautiful strings and then
literally delves deep into the cacophony of evil riffs possible. The dual
vocals blended so well with amazing pounding of the skins. This track just
grows and grows in intensity and rhythm.
Joe’s backing
vocals were really superb and carried the songs brilliantly well especially on
Ice to Touch – not heard a track like it for catchiness and yet it is brutally
delivered with some subsonic extreme ferocity. It is a blend of thrash and
Metal-Core that works and I truly love it!
Chris delivered
such a brutal onslaught between his vocals and lead guitar. The melodic quality
and professionalism these guys showed on the night was tremendous. Considering
this band have only been together since January 2012 I think they are going to
go places and fast judging on the performance and the complexities of the
tracks – they seem to have a good working relationship and put together a set
fit for a King – let alone a Prince! Really
great set guys!
I can’t wait to
see these guys again and get blow to kingdom come. Bring it on!
5/5
5/5
Set List:
A Man Apart
Se7en
This Thirst
Ice to Touch
Burnt Out
...for Her
Members:
Chris Moore - Vocals/Lead Guitar
Adam Gee - Rhythm Guitar
Joe "Thor" Barcas - Bass/Backing
Vocals
Jakke Mawdsley - Drums/flute
************************************************
Grind Horizon – Liverpool
Links:
Genre: Groove Metal
The Grind
Horizon guys formed in 2009 like the big bang! And this performance at the
Lomax was just as spellbinding as ever, and probably louder than the big bang
itself! They never ever disappoint – but
on the night we all got something we didn’t bargain for talking of ripping things – David Dixon losing
his trousers through screaming the track Riverbed.
In true GH
style David’s face was a picture as he struggled to keep the sagging keks from
revealing his underwear! Although we did catch a glimpse! :D He announced he
needed a belt and Chris from Torn Prince
kindly gave David his belt but Chris being small and skinny and David being on
the larger side it just didn’t work – amidst laughter in the audience. Jon the
bands bassist then handed David a lead and that seemed to work partially after the deliverance of Riverbed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUoUUb9U1fw
After screaming through Seventy Four David needed help again so enter Phil, the Lomax’s sound tech brought on some orange gaffa tape - which indeed solved the problem and we all watched David wrapping himself up with the said tape to the sound of laughter and whoots in the crowd. It is true if it can’t be fixed with gaffa tape it isn’t worth fixing! But kudos to David for being a professional and getting on with the set which did not hamper his vocals and was superb!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUoUUb9U1fw
After screaming through Seventy Four David needed help again so enter Phil, the Lomax’s sound tech brought on some orange gaffa tape - which indeed solved the problem and we all watched David wrapping himself up with the said tape to the sound of laughter and whoots in the crowd. It is true if it can’t be fixed with gaffa tape it isn’t worth fixing! But kudos to David for being a professional and getting on with the set which did not hamper his vocals and was superb!
The set
blistered and was turned up another notch as the band launched into their next
track Wasted!
It was great to
note that Dave Purcell the band’s guitarist extraordinaire now singing on the
tracks along with David – I think this adds spice to the GH set somewhat and
Dave has a superb voice has to be said. I love this new twist for Grind Horizon.
These guys are
true gents both on and off stage. Their stage presence exuded a tongue in cheek
feel about it, but they know how to deliver a superbly powerful set that
delights and keeps the crowd gripped and tonight was no exception.
Song after song
they kept up a lively interesting pace and the beats and riffs were delivered
with clarity and precision. As I say
Bring on the Grind! Masters of the groove!
Watch out for the guys playing live again
and just melt to the Sabbathy riffs that are indeed Grind Horizon. I just hope
David manages to buy some more trousers before then!
5/5
5/5
Set List:
Licentious
Dojo
Hybrid Trip
Void
Riverbed (working title)
Seventy Four
Seventy Four
Wasted
MasterSun
Members:
David Dixon – Vocals
Jon Orton – Bass
David Purcell – Guitar/Vocals
Martin Boardman – Drums
****************************************************
Her Last Goodbye – Warrington/Wigan/Liverpool
Links:
Genre: Post Hardcore
Never seen
before and now seen never forgotten – it was Her Last Goodbye. A five man strong, post hard-core band from the
Warrington/Wigan/Liverpool areas. The notch just got raised again!
These guys just
couldn’t keep still both on and off stage. Their powerful melodic riffs and
heavy breakdowns just poured forth and engulfed the selective audience. James
Barnes the bands bassist/vocalist stood out – the expression on that guys face
as he belted out the set was unbelievable. He really knew how to work the
audience and work it he did.
All the tracks
just oozed energy and were vibrant and catchy to the last. John’s vocals were
screamed and he just went mental diving in and out of the surprised crowd and
at one point falling to the floor but got up again and carried on as if nothing
had happened proving these guys are indeed hard-core!
Some great track titles such as "I am sorry Mario but your Princess is in our Castle!" James smiled a knowing smile as he announced it.
You couldn’t
fail to be impressed with the set as each song burst the ear drums to a deafening
capacity! To say it was an immense set is an understatement and I think the
guys just broke through the sound barrier.
I just about managed to capture one decent pic of the band as they never
stayed still long enough to be properly photographed.
Be sure to pick
up a copy of the bands due to be and first release out end of June early July
2012 from what I have heard it promises to melt your ear drums and then some!
5/5
5/5
Set List:
Welcome to earth
September’s phase
Pressure point
I'm sorry Mario but your princess is in
another castle
Say goodbye
We were young
Breaking the silence
Members:
Mark Goodall - Drums
Ian Brown - Guitar
James Barnes - Bass/ Vocals
Nick Southern - Guitar
John Fishwick - Vocals
*****************************************
Set upon Invasion – Liverpool
Links:
Genre: Hardcore/Metal/Screamo
Again, a four
man band hailing from Liverpool. They started off with Give up the ghost great
for Set upon Invasion musically but
sadly Joe’s vocals were a bit out of key in places which was a shame as the
last time I saw them the set was in key – perhaps Joe was unable to hear the
instruments around him I am not sure, as he had to rush off after the set.
Saying this though, when Joe did his screamo vocals they were spot on.
In between
tracks Nick was enjoying a cup of herbal tea (at least that is what I am told
it was) and when he took a swig of it on the underneath of the cup it said “I
am a twat!” the faces of the surrounding people were a picture :D
Groove Zero as
Joe announced was indeed one of their heavier tracks and started with some
pounding of the skins. It has a great groovy element to it and Joe’s vocals
screamed out with great abandonment as the track unfolded.
Nick just went
mental wind-milling and diving off the stage working his guitar with ease, but
in doing so he nearly knocked himself out when he smashed his guitar on his
head too harshly and ended up on the floor looking somewhat dazed – talk about
getting into the groove!
I got the
impression that Joe felt awkward on the stage and didn’t seem to be as relaxed
when in full throttle. His banter
between himself and Nick was priceless though as the band had a guitar change –
Joe said looking toward Nick “Never trust a guy with longer hair than his
shirt!” I just creased up laughing when Nick retorted “Fuck off!” and then went
on to play another track
Unholy
Confessions saw James from Her Last
Goodbye take the stage to bring some dual vocals on this Avenged Sevenfold
cover. A nice touch to the evening and feel that maybe Joe should get a second
vocalist in to add depth and body to the songs – it is but just a thought and
maybe something for the band to think about in the future.
The Diseased the
final track of the night and one of my favourites from the band as it is punchy
and addictive listening and gets played quite frequently by moi. Joe’s clean
vocal here was really superb but I can imagine that doing clean and screamo
vocals together at some stage you are not going to have much in the way of
vocals left to give. Still I had to sing along with this track as it is driving
and solid, with heaps of melodic overtones and spiced with catchy great rhythms.
I feel that
Nick may just need a lie down after all the exertion he showed at the gig – he put
in more than 100% on performance and made one person very happy waving all that
hair around!
Check out all
the bands on the above links if you haven’t heard them before – and if you have
a listen anyway!
4/5
4/5
Set List:
Give up the ghost
Runaway
Oceans of sleep
Blind guidance
Groove Zero
Unholy confessions (ft James from HLG)
The Diseased
Members:
Joseph Speak - Vocals
Nick Harris - Guitars
Dan Smith - Bass
Sean Carson - Drums
I know Metal
Core is not a lot of people’s cups of herbal tea, but there is no getting away
from the immense power and sheer energy exuberated by these bands when doing a
live gig! It is somewhat of an acquired taste – and I have to say I have
sampled and acquired it, but unlike Nick’s mug mine does NOT say twat on the
underneath! Contrary to what you may or may not have been told! :P
*Great to meet Katherine Murphy from Low Flying Records too - Bonus!*
No comments:
Post a Comment