Rozetta Stone – Taking Down Titans – Killaflaw – Arkaidence
The Zanzibar, Liverpool
14.1.2012
Rozetta Stone – Liverpool
Links:
Genre: Rock
Rozetta Stone is a five piece band from Liverpool and somewhat kicking a few asses judging by their performance on Saturday! From start to finish this performance was epic!
They played two new tracks “Beautiful Man” and “Time” which were tremendous. Well executed and delivered to an eager waiting and watching crowd.
At the start of the show two bands appeared and nobody moved close to the stage but as soon as Rozetta Stone came on everyone just launched at the stage which was great to be a part of.
Dil and Chris did their usual scissor/paper/stone routine and when Chris won Dil mouthed “You bastard!” with a big grin on his face.
Louis the bands front man just let rip this time round and I can honestly say that I have never seen him so vehemently aggressive before on stage, but this just fuelled everyone else around him.
Ash lost a snare and broke both drum sticks which he wasn’t happy about but he needn’t have worried as everyone really enjoyed their set.
Dil was wearing some great socks one stripy one and one spotty one and leapt around in the usual manner with a frenzied look on his face. Jay just kept his head down and got into the groove, whilst Chris looked very seductive behind his guitar.
Completely enjoyable set – the sound was superb – thanks to Pat again who now know the bands’ sound inside out, due to producing their new 4 track demo E.P. (Thanks for my signed copy guys – I so love you all!)
As the band finished I went outside for a smoke and there wasn’t one person there. That was such a great feeling knowing everyone had been inside enjoying the fruits of the bands labours. As more people then came outside the word on their lips was how well Rozetta Stone played their set and as the band members followed there were lots of pats on the back, handshakes and shouts of “Well done guys!” Which was well and truly in order as Rozetta Stone certainly nailed it. Best I have seen them play and with a lot more confidence and zest.
Get in touch with the band if you would like an E.P. it is well worth the listen as this recording is near on excellent.
Set List:
Raging Sun
Save Me
Beautiful Man
Time
Girl of my dreams
Members:
Dil Lewington – Guitar
Chris Dixon – Guitar
Ashley Janes – Drums
Louis Jackson Payne – Vocals
Jay Lashbrook – Bass
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Taking Down Titans – Wirral
Links:
Genre: Rock
After hearing Jay and Si on their band page on Facebook I was completely stunned! Jay has a voice like velvet, and the sound that surrounds his delicious vocals was crisp, heavy and very catchy!
As he got on stage with Si the crowd gathered and both Hannah and Alex (friends of mine) were captivated by his vocal and who couldn’t be?
Jay played an acoustic guitar but despite this the sound was still meaty but I would have liked him to have played electric guitar as I feel it would have been a lot heavier.
Taking down Titans have such a simple no nonsense sound that just rocks and draws you into it.
Considering there are just two members in the band they did have a really full and superb sound. The tracks were well put together and delivered with clout!
Jay has a great personality that just shone on stage. You can tell he loves doing what he is doing just by the grin on his face. The crowd really were enjoying the set for sure!
The drums from Si were really edgy and beat perfect! Jay’s vocal just wrapped itself around you and his guitar blasted out some awesome chords. It was spell binding to watch.
It was Jay’s birthday too! And there were lots of shouts out wishing him happy birthday and what a great night he must have had with the crowd enjoying every minute of the set.
As everyone who knows me knows I like a lot of brutal shizz but there is always an exception to the rule and Taking down Titans is that exception!
They played “Bones” which is one of my favourite tracks – so catchy and melodic with some amazing strings at the start. Jay’s voice mellow yet it possesses such a great tone and a great range. It had me singing along anyhow and that guitar when it fired up was just immense and wondering what the guys would sound like with electric guitar in place – mind-blowing no doubt!
Each track was catchy and really struck a chord in the hearts of the on looking crowd.
I really enjoyed every track that Jay and Si played on Saturday. The atmosphere was really alive and everyone was in a great mood and it reflected on the bands playing. Two great musicians indeed.
Great set Jay and Si – looking forward to seeing you playing live again!
Look out for the name Taking down Titans and go and see them live if you get the chance. You are in for a treat!
Next gig is Saturday 4th February at The Picket for Battle of the Bands 2012.
Set List:
Downtown Tonight
Bones
Goodbye to the Wind
Pure Confession
God Bless
Pressure
Times like these - Cover
Members:
Jay Roberts - Guitars & Vocals;
Si Blades – Drums
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Killaflaw – Liverpool
Links:
Genre: Electronica/Rock/Blues
And now for something completely different! Pat gave me the heads up on this band by saying “You are gonna love these guys!” He wasn’t wrong either!
Killaflaw like Taking down Titans have only two members in the band. But that is where the similarities end.
Being a sucker for the keyboards as I am – I couldn’t wait to hear these guys and as they set up on stage Alex and I found a nice spec up front and waited.... as the first thunderous beat started I felt myself shake with excitement.
The sound engulfed us both and I for one couldn’t stop my body from going into some sort of trance as the music started and it just carried me from then on in.
Open mouthed the crowd lapped up every chord and every beat with hunger relish. Benn’s voice had a Bon Scott flavour whilst Andy on keyboards churned out the most amazing electronic accompaniment of sound.
I have waited a long time to see a band play this kind of stuff and now it was happening.
Each song was just breath-taking and addictive. Never having heard the band before I had no idea what to expect but the hunger to hear more was apparent.
Both Benn and Andy came alive on stage as they produced an amazing set. Benn jumping around striking his electric guitar feverishly whilst Andy made the keys sing out in foot stomping mode!
It was an amazing set! As the end drew near I literally felt a “Downer” coming on, and commented to Alex that I could listen to them all night.
Really unique in sound, very different to the previous bands - although it was a perfect mix of rock – so congrats to Tony for pulling together such a great gig.
As soon as I got home I searched for the band and started to listen to the tracks again. In fact I have not stopped listening. My favourite tracks are “Set me on fire” “Broken Idol” and “Holy Funk” three amazingly heavy and interesting tracks that just fuel me to keep hitting the repeat button.
See the band live at the Krazyhouse on 17th February – you may see me there getting down and dirty!
Set List:
Broken Idol
Revolution
Milk and Whiskey
Already Dead
Holy Funk
Set Me on Fire
Members:
Benn Helm – Vocals/Guitar
Andy Paton - Keyboards
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Arkaidence – Liverpool
Links:
www.myspace.com/arkaidence
Genre: Progressive Rock
Arkaidence a five piece progressive band from Liverpool were last to grace the Zanzi stage. They mentioned that they had cheap keyboards that had replaced their usual keyboards due to them being repaired, but it didn’t make a difference, as their sound was still immaculate and strong in my opinion.
I first saw these guys a while back at the Zanzi at the Metal Assault on the 2.7.2011 and they were superb.
The guys played “Erosion” one of my all-time favourite tracks from the band. The beautifully intense keys and intricate strings surrounded by a full on blasting drum beat and Alex’s clean but strong vocal were really well performed.
As I mentioned previously on an earlier review of Arkaidence they do sound slightly like Spires (a three piece band from Manchester, whom I have seen perform on numerous occasions) but without the growling vocals, but the music still carries you to another dreamy level entirely.
I was glad to see that Pete hadn’t had the locks chopped – as he is the only one supporting long hair! :D Well done Pete!
Arkaidence is quite seriously intense listening and pulled no punches on Saturday night. A great finish to the power packed evening.
The mix of the bands were rock orientated, but in various styles which was superb – well done Tony for getting this collection of bands together which proved to be a really pleasurable evening all in all and of course to Pat the sound tech extraordinaire without which the bands would not have sounded so crisp and powerful on the night. Great gig!
Set List:
Somatia
Erosion
Terminus
Rope – (Foo Fighters Cover)
The Forgotten One
Members:
Alex "Danger Al" Nolan - Lead Vocals
Michael "Mickey Tiddles" Threlfall - Vocals/Guitar
Richard "Ricardo Cojones" Jones - Bass
Jordan "Jordgasm" Dunbar - Keyboards
Peter "Turbulent Gropist" Roper - Drums
