Miguel Rojo – Metal goes Mental
Nerve Data, Immortal Conspiracy, Solitary
Confinement, Skum, Ramraid and Grind Horizon
Zanzibar
18.01.13
Well I am I
glad I braved the winter elements and icy blizzards to see this little lot
perform! Not only did I get ALL the set-lists before-hand but I got to see two
new bands Nerve Data and Immortal Conspiracy perform live! So
great start!
Nerve Data –
Upton, Wirral 7.45
– 8.10
Karsten Weiss of Nerve Data
Links:
http://nervedata.co.uk/
Genre: EBM
Karsten (the
only member of Nerve Data – as his
drummer Anvil - let him down on the night) began almost immediately – the little
black drum pad perched on top of a table along with two drum sticks, a pair of
glasses and some bits of paper, seemed sparse but he had made a banner to put
up and started singing his own brand of EBM which is influenced by none other
than X Mal Deutschland – although not a lot of people would have heard of them,
but I liked them during the 80’s as again they were different and not like any
other band I had heard before plus they sang in German so a lot of their albums
appear in my record collection.
Karsten looked
slightly awkward on stage, and it must have been hard for him to get up there
and perform to a bunch of crazed metal heads, but I was enthralled by the snappy
little beats on the backing track and sensual rhythms although tonight the
vocals sounded very quiet so it was hard to hear all that was being sung (and
said)
I really love
the German language and understood a lot of what Karsten was singing about,
when I could hear the vocals, (as I mentioned previously) and although nobody
was at the front he did get lots of rapturous applause from the fast growing
crowds now gathering at the Zanzibar after each song he performed.
My favourite
tracks were Synapsid and Die Frau ist Kalt (The woman is cold) two really good
tracks that had my head and feet moving in appreciation to.
But it was
certainly a good start to what was to become a superb evening of entertainment
and despite the cold weather the Zanzi was heating up nicely!
9/10
Set List:
The Wheels
Synapsid
Die frau ist kalt
Do it clean
Der winter-wald
Cover version of Suicide's "rocket USA"
Members:
Karsten Weiss - Composer, singer, programmer, synths
Anvil - Electronic Drum Pads.
******
Immortal
Conspiracy - Wirral 8.25
– 8.50
Links:
http://www.facebook.com/immortal.conspiracy
Genre: Melo
Death Metal
In the band’s
own words:
“We Immortal Conspiracy are a Melodic Death
Metal Band from the Wirral/Liverpool and have a great fan base. We have nearly
finished recording our first single and hope to have our 5 Track E.P finished
by early March. We love gigging and play at places such as the Picket, Zanzibar,
Elevator and the 02 Academy!!! We'd love to see you guys at our gigs and feel
free to contact us any time!”
Jack the Destroyer!
Well what can I
say about these young guys? If you like your
music extreme and like fire running through your veins - then check them out. They
really did a blistering set and a mosh pit formed almost immediately. I was really
impressed by the sheer power and raw aggression the guys showed on stage.
Kieran and Jack
Josh the caveman
From start to
finish the complex rhythms and beats just surged frantically as did the crowd –
I think everyone enjoyed their set last night, and who could blame them? Very
exciting set to watch with each band member giving it their all, to an over
enthusiastic crowd – these guys are ones to watch out for in the future.
Immortal Conspiracy destroying a few heads
Venomous till
the last with not one track me, and the rest of the crowd didn’t enjoy, fast
and raucous – the hair was flying with bodies strewn around the Zanzi floor – great
set, great tracks – the guys simply owned the stage last night, I certainly won’t
forget this set in a hurry.
10/10
Set List:
Apocalypse
No Despair for the Wicked
Decade of Aggression
Visions
Virus
Grudge
Members:
Jack 'The Destroyer' Thompson-Vocals
Kieran 'Ched' Tollét-Guitar/Backing Vocals
Jake 'Boots' Priestman-Guitar
Mike 'Mong' Devon-Bass
Josh 'Caveman' Newton-Drums
******
Solitary
Confinement – Wallasey, Liverpool 9:05-9:30
Links:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Solitary-Confinement
Genre:
Progressive/DJent/Metalcore
Ryan - melting heads
The Lash with lashings of riffs
Lewis - getting down and dirty behind the kit!
Jack - Living the dream
Candlight mass for metal heads
In the band’s
own words:
“Started in
April 2011- One day we were having a jam, when we noticed that it was going
incredibly well. Later on we were shown
'band project' so we quickly made the choice of staying as a band. We have
practised every week since that day. We
have the fast, blast elements of thrash metal, and grooves to riffs and
rhythms. We have the distinctive sound of Metal-core (real metal-core like Lamb
of God and Machine Head) but we also incorporate break-downs and melodic heavy
solos”
Solitary Confinement – another young
band who always delivers like at Helrazer
in 2011 but this time they literally took a gigantic leap further and smashed
it! Simple as that! The crowd again went a bit “nuts” and the mosh pit was
awash with bodies a few were literally smashed onto the ground as the
pulverising riffs and beats were laid out in a terrific frenzy to the over-zealous
onlookers.
Paddy, Ryan and Lewis
Lewis’s
drumming was first class and the Lash literally lashed out his riffs and did
some amazing backing vocals, whilst Ryan shook the crowd with his “from the gut”
growls which literally shook the Zanzi walls!
For the
penultimate track Ryan asked the crowd to get out their lighters to which a
number of fans obeyed all adding to the superb atmosphere at the Zanzi.
Extreme and
vehement the tracks kept coming. Crack
the Sky was awesome and Ryan asked the madding crowd to join in, when he sang “Crack
the Sky” we had to shout back “Shake the earth!” and shake the earth they did. So
much so that poor Kieran from Immortal
Conspiracy took a dive to the floor and was injured after landing badly on
his ankle but not after taking a few people out in the pit before-hand – an ambulance
had to called and he was whisked away for treatment – although the crowd were
none the wiser as they were caught up in yet more fantastic music as the change
over for Skum was being put into
place.
(Get well soon Kieran – good to see bands
supporting others – but try not to be as brutal – maybe give the mosh pit a
miss next time!)
The Ill fated Kieran
10/10
Set List:
Intro
The Plague,
Parasites,
Declaration of Despisal
Crack the sky
Members:
The Lash - Vocals/Guitar
Lewis Murphy - Drums
Paddy - Lead Guitar
Jack Howe - Bass
Ryan Merral - Lead Vocals
******
SKUM – Wallasey
- Liverpool 9:45-10:10
Links:
http://www.facebook.com/SKUMBandPage
Genre:
Sludge/Hardcore
Kyle, Liam and Tony
Another band, that
played Helrazer in November 2011,
and again the crowds were eager to participate. The slower but none the less
heavy riffs poured out into the Zanzi and kept everyone focused on the stage
area.
Kyle and Liam at extreme boiling point!
Intense and
fervent the tracks were delivered precisely and with ease. Dark brooding riffs
and gruff vocals were conquered and once more Skum took hold and owned the audience to chants of “Skum, Skum,
Skum!” Liam as were the rest of the band
was just knocked out by the reception they received just as we were to receive
them and their interesting brand of sludge/hardcore metal.
Kyle’s guitar
efforts did not go unnoticed as the rhythms just flowed to an almighty level.
Extreme and to the bone these guys delivered a fantastic set that could not go
unnoticed and it didn’t!
Witch on drums - no solo tonight though!
Towards the end
of the set a lot of people joined the band on stage for the final finale of
frenzied head banging – the band could hardly move for flying hair!
Not far from the madding crowd - Skum
Brilliantly executed
and again enjoyed by hungry metal heads the band won through with all tracks
getting the attention they deserved.
10/10
Set List:
Scum
Jimmy
Free
Lucifer’s Rocking Chair - (Cancer Bats Cover)
Consumed
War
Made in Britain
Members:
Liam 'Lion' Booth - Vocals
Kyle 'Skunk' Rattenbury - Guitar
Tony 'Dabs' Keary - Bass
George ' Witch' Ewen - Drums
******
Ramraid –
Liverpool 10:25-10:50
Links:
http://www.facebook.com/RamRaidUK
Genre: Thrash
Old School Style
In the band’s
own words:
“RamRaid is a 4 piece thrash band from
Liverpool. Taking influence from bands such as Testament, Sodom, Kreator,
Forbidden, Megadeth, Destruction, Anthrax with these combined we like to think we
have conjured a unique sound”
Ben, Joe and Paul
The mighty Joe Bromley looking serious for once!
And now for a
bit of Thrash! Well a lot of Thrash actually. Ramraid headed by none other than the mighty Joe Bromley kicked off
superbly. The first track “Into Annihilation” always gets me singing along,
with its catchy chorus and powerful riffs, expertly played by the formidable
Ben Gannon who said afterwards he wasn’t happy with the set as he couldn’t hear
himself on stage, but we did, and it was superb.
The fretwork
Ben produced was effortless and fast although with Ramraid the guys add humour to any occasion with Joe announcing new
track Powermad to their set said he he was a “bit” drunk and so forgot the words, Not unusual at a metal gig! But the crowd was
enjoying it so much it was just a small detail that wasn’t picked up on until
well after the set.
Working the frets - Ben
The band is
tight, fast and powerful and the audience clearly enjoyed it and it just added
to the good vibes felt by everyone on the night. But I feel the band lacks a
certain confidence on stage and should stop picking out faults with their work
as they clearly enjoy what they do – so come on guys – have faith in yourselves
and just keep on doing what you are doing – we love ya!
Joe and Paul - heads down
Dom - with lashings of stick!
10/10
Set List:
Into Annihilation
Ramraid
Powermad * New Track*
Bred for Death
Murder in the Embassy
Deathlands
Members:
Joe Bromiley - Rhythm Guitar, Lead Vocals
Ben Gannon - Lead Guitar
Paul Hutton - Bass Guitar
Dominic Williams - Drums
******
Grind Horizon –
Liverpool 11:05-11:30
Links:
http://www.facebook.com/grindhorizon
Genre: Groove
Metal
In the band’s
own words:
“GRIND HORIZON – formed in 2009 and offer
molten steel riffs, steam hammer beats, lava flowing bass, and gagged, bleeding
vocals”
Dave P, Dave D and Jon serenading the few
Dave P, Dave D and Jon
Well for the
handful of us that stayed to the bitter end Grind Horizon with their heavy molten riffs just mesmerised. Cuzzy
(Ian Laver) and I had to get up and do our thing which was head bang to one of
the most superb bands around. Their blend of grooves is magnificent to say the
least.
Martin’s
drumming was inspiring, whilst Dave on guitar flanked by a stream of long dark
black hair just pumped out some amazing riffs. Jon on bass delivered some
mighty hooks whilst Dave on vocals with his scathing growls blew us away and this
was one set that did not see the use of orange duct tape!
Dave oh that hair!!
Martin - smashing it whilst doing a Tard impersonation!
Dave (Vocals)
gave a shout out to the handful of people who stayed to watch them and said “Thanks
to everyone who stayed to watch us play we love ya!) I for one could not leave
before a gig had finished unless it was a dire emergency as I think it would be
unfair on the bands as it does take a lot of time, effort and money putting a
gig together and Grind Horizon are
just one band that deserves the right of people’s attention. The band even did
an encore after shouts of “More!” from myself and a few of the others which
took their performance up to midnight, but they did not hit the stage until
11.15pm.
Each track
flowed with precision and was worthy of watching as these four guys gave us a magnificent
finish to a fabulous evening’s entertainment courtesy of Mike Hardy – the silent unassuming guy who always presents amazing
line-ups and usually can’t stay till the end of the night, however he managed
it this time, but Mike’s gigs are legendary so if you see his name attached to
anything you know you are in for a good night’s head banging!!
10/10
Set List:
Void
Vortex
Nosferatu
Licentious
Mastersun
Leech
Members:
Dave Purcell - Guitar
David Dixon - Vocals
Jon Orton - Bass
Martin Boardman – Drums
**Special
thanks to Tony at the Zanzi, Pat for the sound and for supporting an
awesome new beard, Paul for looking
after the proceedings. Special shout out to David Gardner now with awesome band
Sclavinia. Cuzzy (Ian) Gani and indeed to all the bands – Nerve Data, Immortal Conspiracy, Solitary
Confinement, Skum, Ramraid and Grind
Horizon for such superb sets from start to finish. Great night!! Biggest thanks for the night goes to none other than Mike Hardy
Mike - This face has launched quite a few killer gigs!
Gani giving the horns
Martin and Dave P relaxing before their set
Does anybody know this terrorist?
Cuzzy never happy about having his pic taken!
and well.... me
