Southport Metal Fest
Fear Hate Destroy - Grind Horizon - Vandal Hearts - Fire in the Empire - Head 13 - Waves will Swallow us - Bury the Fallen - Deathtrip - Breeding Violence - Ten Cent Toy - Subservience - Oceanis & Sa Da Ko
Victoria Pub
25th May 2013
Well I can
honestly say that I have NEVER enjoyed a gig so much
as the one I experienced at The Victoria Pub in Southport!
My only gripe
was the fact it started 35 minutes later than scheduled which meant missing 3
really amazing bands.
Fear Hate
Destroy - Lancaster
Links:
https://www.facebook.com/FearHateDestroy
Genre – Metal
First up: Fear Hate Destroy, A band I had never
seen before live and although I couldn’t fault the musicianship the dub step incorporated
seemed to somewhat spoil it for a few. I don’t mind it myself and feel that
there is room for everything in the musical sphere, but some said that the dub
step was not fitting to the music.
A lot, myself
included thought that the fierce growls were intense from Joel and although he
spent most of the time looking towards the ceiling – no doubt concentrating on
his guitar as well as vocal onslaught did an amazing job. Bob’s vocals did lack
some ferocity against Joel’s mind bending growls, this was overcome to a short
degree, as the intensity rampaged throughout the set.
It is not always
easy to get up on stage first and set the pace for others to follow but I
thought they did extremely well in the circumstances. My favourite track from Fear Hate Destroy was without a doubt ‘Electrostatic
Judgement’ this was a really superb track.
Since reviewing,
I have been listening to a lot of very different genres and feel the average
metal head seems to stick within their comfort zone, which is sad really (I
used to be one of these people, but quickly realised that there is so much out
there all ripe and ready for picking) and Fear
Hate Destroy it has to be said offered something that little bit different
on the day.
Some bands need
to be experienced live to fully appreciate what they are about and others fair
better under the guide of the studio, and it may be that certain bands just need
to be listened to a few times before casting a judgement and maybe Fear Hate Destroy are a band that needs
a few listens before capturing their essence – I however am looking forward to
hearing what is on that bright pink USB stick that I was fortunate enough to
acquire at the gig.
I personally
liked the raw edge from Fear Hate
Destroy with their towering
primal scorching and imaginative tracks despite what others may have felt, I thought
it was a good start to what was an amazing full day of sheer metal, be it
nu-metal Or indeed death metal.
8½/10
Set List:
Omega
Hate Machine Revolution
Electrostatic Judgement
Rise of the Forgotten
Members:
Joel Ayre - Guitar & Vocals
Bob Hope - Vocals
Martin Bragg - Guitar
Jared Dunne - Bass Guitar
Adam Kniveton - Drums
*****
Grind Horizon –
Liverpool
Links:
Genre: Groove
Metal
Grind Horizon is always a great band to watch
Live! And this set was no exception. I spoke to Dave the bands vocalist before
the set and he said he was absolutely shattered, but no matter how tired Dave
gets he never fails to deliver an interesting set and always puts 100% into
what he does.
Jon stood in
his own little bubble slapping out the bass hooks whilst Marti’s face contorted
with every drum beat and the two Dave’s seemed to be having a fight for space
on the small stage as they crashed into each other a few times.
‘86’ and ‘Mastersun’
were my two favourite tracks of the set, those deep grooves penetrated and
caused a massive flow of hair to cool everyone off in the blistering heat of
the day.
The Grind were
just spectacular in their delivery and made a lot of people very happy with
this performance.
And finally
after waiting so long for a T Shirt, finally got one, and no doubt it will get
well worn, just like my Bury the Fallen
T shirt!
10/10
Set List:
Vortex
Void
Wasted (86)
Licentious
Seventy Four
Mastersun
Leech
Members:
David Dixon – Vocals
Jon Orton – Bass
David Purcell – Guitar
Martin Boardman - Drums
*****
Vandal Hearts –
Lancaster
Links:
Genre: Melodic
Metal/Post Hard Core
One reason for
going to the Southport Metal Fest
was to check out some bands I had not seen before, and one of those bands was Vandal Hearts.
Steph is indeed
the commanding and dominating force behind the band. Her vocals went from soft
and lilting to supreme growls in an instant.
The sheer weight of the music you would think a female would literally
drown in, but Steph’s vocal clearly rode the tempestuous melodies really
well. There was a slight off key moment
but other than that the set was near perfect.
Rich and
melodic with rhythmic enticement and urgent energy Vandal Hearts delivered a strong set of powerful tracks, very
diverse with acute sound – all sung perched on some very high heels.
It was also
Steph’s birthday and she said during the set “If anyone sings Happy Birthday I
am going to rip their face off!” However Hayden the Sound Tech and DJ for the
Fest managed to sneak in “Happy Birthday” by Altered Images for her and this
did indeed manage to make Steph’s face break out into a big smile.
9/10
Set List:
Quarantine
Judgement
Hell and Back
Life in a Bigger Prison
Little Bird
Inertia
Members:
Stephanie Beer - Vocals
Kyle Mcsweeny - Guitar
Harry Adey - Guitar
An Inflateable Antonio Banderas Love Doll - Bass
Allan Gardner - Drums
*****
Fire in the
Empire – Chorley, Lancashire
Links:
'To The
Thinking Man's Horror' available online at http://www.fite.bigcartel.com/
The full E.P was
recorded, mixed and mastered by David Page at White Bear Studios
Genre: Metal
If you like
your metal uncompromising and edgy then Fire
in the Empire are definitely one to watch. A superb live act with plenty of
malevolent dark groove emotively sung with passion.
The band have
got a new video out now called ‘To the thinking man’s Horror’ which you should
all definitely check out and is the band’s official video and taken from the
band’s first E.P
Cameras: Neil
Forshaw, James Green & Pavel Szylobryt
The small space
within the confines of the Victoria Pub were heaving - with hair wind milling
in all directions. Fire in the Empire
do not hide in the shadows, they take control and their performance was blinding
and immense with fiery heaviness that literally shook the foundations.
No doubt the
band will pick have picked up a few more fans along the way with the
performance they gave and judging by everyone’s face they clearly enjoyed what
they heard and not surprising either! – it was a more than just an enjoyable set
to watch, the crowds clearly indulged in the frenzy, amid superb creativity
from the band who could not love Fire in
the Empire?
9½/10
Set List:
To the thinking man’s Horror
Fear and Time
Twisted Tale
Breakaway
The Art of War
Members:
Mick McCullagh - Vocals, Lead Guitar
Terry Casey - Rhythm Guitar
Sam Gee - Bass Guitar
Dean Marshall - Drums
*****
Head13 –
Liverpool
Links
Genre:
Rock/Metal
After not
getting my chance to see Head 13 play at House a few weeks back, I was so happy
to see these guys finally hit the Southport stage and was not disappointed at
all.
Despite James
guitar giving up the ghost halfway through, they still managed to produce a
wild and encompassing set that was delicious in mesmerising rhythms and quality
grooves. The tracks were drenched in superior and enthralling fret work and
hard edged vocal.
The band have a
very distinct sound that is not only appealing but interesting to boot.
It is good to
have an itch scratched and I can certainly say they did that at Southport with
their immensely rich stage presence and outshone through the face of adversity,
showing real master class. Definitely
one to watch out for and experience live!
9/10
Set List:
No Use
Broken Man
Moving On Stone
Transfusion
Breaking Me Down
Under My Skin
Excite Excel
No Excuse
Members:
Kenny Stone - Vocals
James Gordon - Guitar
Ian Mason Jones - Bass
Norm Walker - Drums
*****
Waves Will
Swallow Us – Ormskirk
Links:
Genre:
Hardcore/Metalcore
Well if you
thought things couldn’t get heavier... you would be wrong, very wrong
indeed. Waves will swallow us literally swallowed the crowd whole - this
performance was savagely brutal and delivered to perfection.
The beats were
dense in ambiance and raw with power. The crowd which was jammed into a tiny
space still managed to react to each quality laden rhythm produced by the band.
It was one
gnarly scene of sweaty bodies with flailing limbs in all directions. Vocally savage and raw and the band’s first
gig back with their new drummer Mat – Not having heard the band before to
compare but this was one blistering performance, faultless and played with
precision.
Immense and
striking and so worth watching and experiencing live for the first time – got to
see these guys again. Just amazing!
10/10
Set List:
To the Lions
Your Disease
Defeater
Harvey Dent
Obey
Members:
Chris Ryder - Vocals
Mo Aylmer - Guitar
Jonny Adams - Guitar
Dom Mosses - Bass
Mat Capper - Drums
*****
Bury the Fallen
– Liverpool
Links:
Genre: Metal
Old favourites Bury the Fallen never disappoint live
and now they have added Jacob and Midd to do backing vocals – this band really
are multi-talented. They never cease to amaze me what they pack into their
performances and still find time to try and find Midd a girlfriend!
Their tracks
are imaginative and impacting, although Jacob’s voice cut out a few times on
backing vocal or it could have just been the mics as they had had a good
workout from the previous bands, but the performance was still exciting and
refined.
Roj and Jacob
did not swap instruments this time round but the added vocals made me wonder
what next do Bury the Fallen have up
their sleeves? Only one way to find out catch them live and see!!
9/10
Set List:
The Unknown
One with the Waves (New Song)
Messages
My Last Serenade
Sever
Forever Shall They Burn
Members:
Sean Duffy - Guitars & Screamed Vocals
Ben Midd - Guitars
Jacob Walsh - Bass Guitar
Sam Roj - Drums & Clean Vocals
*****
Deathtrip –
Preston
Links:
Genre: Metal
As recommended
by Simo himself; Deathtrip hit the
stage running and immediately invoked a lot of frenzied ferocity – head wise!! The place was heaving with a sea of hair
flying in all directions as Jason the band’s monumental vocalist commanded the
stage. His voice was like one of a
hypnotist – all eyes were on him as he spewed forth with venom seven tracks of
deadly metal.
Literally your
heart stopped beating as you forgot to breathe at the intensity that was
unfolding before your very eyes. A true no nonsense performance of sheer
brutality hit the Southport airwaves and left everyone who had not seen the
band perform live before stunned!
The gnarly
extreme savage riffs literally engulfed the crowd as they were caught up in the
havoc that ensued. Jason asked the audience in commanding tone “Who likes
religion?” – No response – “Thumbs up or down?” No response – “Fuck you!” The
band went on to play ‘Fuck Religion’ one of the most amazing tracks they did
during their performance and at the end Jason said “Well it was not just about
religion!” and smiled. Deathtrip are one of the most amazing
bands I have seen in a long time and can not wait to experience their total chaos
again in the near future and reviewing in detail their 11 track album ‘Ruinous’
10/10
Set List:
Disseminate
Trapped Between a Precipice and Wolves
Of the Fallen
Imbibe
Note of Hand
Fuck Religion
(New track as yet untitled)
To Kill the Dead
Members:
Chris Gough - Guitar
Jason Fisher - Vocals
James Leckey - Drums
Mike Waugh - Bass
*****
Breeding
Violence - Southport
Links:
Genre: Meaty
Metalcore
The band did their first ever gig
in Meols back in April 2012 and floored it and since then have been gaining
momentum at high speed.
The most jaw
dropping moment (and there were quite a few to be had at the Southport Metal Fest believe me) was Breeding Violence. This young band
whose ages range from 15-18 were and I have to emphasise this “fucking
excellent!”
Not only did
they go on AFTER Deathtrip a very
hard act to follow, but they had everyone and I mean everyone!! Going crazy! I
could hardly get near the stage for the gigantic mosh pit and luckily found
myself a space on a bench nearby after ducking and diving the limbs that were
spasming before my eyes. I literally had to climb onto the bench to take shots
of the band.
The heat was
rife and the music was powerful. The band demanded attention and that is what
they got in abundance! Soaked in ravenous ecstasy, fever pitch had been reached
and surpassed, Elliot dived around the stage – no sign of nerves anywhere by
any of the members and the ONLY band to get a stage surfer!!
This was
certainly one performance I will not forget in a hurry! Breeding Violence were without a doubt the highlight of the Southport
Metal Fest! Well done guys you got another fan among many!!! Can not wait to
see you perform live again – and this time I will find a safe place in which to
view you live!
10/10
Set List:
Alone
Underground
Admordeo
AVP
Slave to Society
Drown
Members:
Elliot Brown- Vocals
Tim Daw - Guitar & Backing Vocals
Louis Davies - Guitar
Will Patey - Bass
Shaun Aspinall - Drums
*****
Ten Cent Toy –
Newport
Links:
https://www.facebook.com/tencenttoy
Genre:
Punishing New School Metal
More ferocity
than a speeding bullet Ten Cent Toy
delivered a raucous set to the now heaving crowd of hungry metal heads. Their set
was infused with impacting ferocity so much so that drummer affectionately
known as ‘Fingers’ needed a new drum pedal, which will tell you that those
drums indeed were being battered to their limits.
Hayden saved
the day and the set by quickly arriving with another set of pedals and the band
went on to smash their seven track set which was vocally threatening, saturated
with intense vehemence and high velocity annihilation.
The track ‘Jeyu’
was powerfully crafted and intense, played with formidable energy and a toxic
and satisfying savagery that never let up for a second. Ten Cent Toy is certainly a robust band that if faced with a
tsunami and an earthquake would still emerge the victors!
Again the place
shook with an extreme awareness and I doubt Southport will ever be the same
again.
9½/10
Track List:
Contemptible
Drone
Baptised
Jeyu
One above All
The Works
Time in Memorial
Members:
Kev - Vocals
Curz - Guitars
Tom - Guitars
Pit - Bass
Fingers - Drums
*****
Subservience –
Brighton
Links:
Genre:
Groove/Death Metal
Having seen
Subservience perform at Deathwave not so long ago I knew these guys were fiery
and intense although a few people there had not seen them play live before.
Sadly, I only
got to see the band perform one track as it was time to leave which annoyed me
so much but with all the delays during the day, due to venue and instrument
failings - Subservience along with Oceanis and Sa Da Ko were its casualties as were people like myself and a few
others that had to leave before the end of the Festival.
I have no doubt
that Subservience, Oceanis and Sa Da Ko went on to pulverise Southport
and I just hope Joe from Oceanis
did not put anyone in hospital with his performance as we all know what Oceanis are like during their shows,
which are nothing short of extreme, but once seeing them you never forget them
that is for sure!
Set List:
Masterpiece of Deceit
Exit Wounds
Concrete Asylum
No Messiah
Confrontations
Ripped in Half
Shotgun Autospy
Members:
Jay Fitt - Vocals
Ryan Jardine - Guitar
Martin Shouler - Guitar
Scott Bishop - Bass
Tom Newland - Drums
Filth lickers - Sa Da Ko who deserve more than just thanks for a superb Metal festival!
**** A big special thanks to Simo and the Sa Da Ko
Filth Lickers! For putting on a truly awesome beast of an event and giving not only me but others a chance to see and experience some
quite raw talent. Thanks to the staff at The Victoria for their
hospitality to all metal heads despite asking us to keep the noise down :D
Hayden Birch for his impeccable job on sound and DJing. Introducing the bands and giving them thanks
at the end of each set was a great touch Hayden! Ian ‘Cuzzy’ Laver and
Ganikah Brown for being my awesome metal family and who make life bearable
and also hugs to Dave Purcell from Grind Horizon who kept us all crying
with laughter on the journey home. Good seeing Pete Byrne again and
meeting his girlfriend Wendy Keogh. Phil
Berrington and Mike Bearbury from Renegade State for starting and being
part of the melee as the music unfolded. Marc
Gates (The sixth member of Subservience) who deserves a mention for his tireless
work behind the scenes for the band. Christopher
Banzai Ryan, who added to the head banging in various quantities whilst
still managing to photograph the bands – amazing! And of course the bands
themselves, Fear Hate Destroy, Grind
Horizon, Vandal Hearts, Head13, Fire in the Empire, Waves Will Swallow Us, Bury
the Fallen, Deathtrip, Breeding Violence, Ten Cent Toy, Subservience, Oceanis and Sa-Da-Ko – so looking forward to the
next festival – roll on 2014!
Best of luck also to The Wolves Remain, Seventh Shade, The Torn
Prince, Renegade State, Entropy, Scare Tactics, Driven Overboard and Bludvera who are performing live at the
Festival today – May your ears stand up to the metal onslaught!!
Hayden - Sound Tech and DJ
Gani and Pagan
Gani
Cuzzy Ian and Pagan
Dave and Gani
Cuzzy in full throttle with hair on fire!
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