Winter Slaughter - Bludvera - Ramraid - Gods of War - Reaper - Gates of Purgatory

Winter Slaughter

Bludvera – Ramraid – Gods of War – Reaper - Gates of Purgatory

Zanzibar, Liverpool

01.02.13

Well what a line-up! This was one gig that held a vibe all the way from start to finish. The Zanzi was soon crawling with punters all eager to see their favourite metal bands perform.

I had the pleasure of witnessing four out of the five bands on previous occasions so I had a very good idea of what was about to unfold, although I hadn’t seen Gates of Purgatory before but was in for a shock!

Gates of Purgatory – Wirral

Links:

http://www.facebook.com/GatesOfPurgatory

Genre: Experimental Death Thrash Metal

The band looked in the region of between 16 and 17 but still pretty confident on stage. Their music was distinctly heavy and already a small crowd had gathered at the front of the tiny stage to witness this young band in action.

Josh

As the first song finished Wes announced that their vocalist had only been with them a week to astonished crowd goers who let out a huge gasp and the faces around me were ones of extreme admiration – although Josh sang only two of the tracks and sat out for the rest whilst Wes continued.

Aaron, Josh and Wes

Next wow factor was the band’s drummer Luke who was actually playing drums with a broken hand! Drumming isn’t easy and Thrash drummers especially work over the odds to keep up momentum so to see this young guy literally thrashing his kit with bandaged hand was unbelievable in the circumstances.

Aaron, Luke,  Josh and Wes

This is one band I feel will make it a lot further due to their dedication in the eye of what could well have been defeat, but they delivered, confidently and with ferocity – What a superb way to open a gig! Well done guys!

Wes and Aaron

8½/10

Set List:

Open your eyes

Chop Suey

Nothing Matters Now

Tyranny of a Brick Wall

Foreboding sentiment

Yndig Tortur

Nom eye

Members:

Wesley – Guitar/Bass/Vocals

Luke - Drums

Aaron – Guitar/Bass

Josh - Vocals

Reaper – Liverpool

Links:

http://www.facebook.com/RipRawReaper

Genre: Thrash

Well once again I was fortunate enough witness this band some time back and they left me open mouthed then, but now? Well I was on my knees with admiration. Another young band who clearly loves what they do and practise every waking moment plus it showed.

 Ant

Ant

Their confidence levels had risen by over 100% as they thrashed out some amazing tracks. Dan’s banter went down extremely well with the punters and his facial expressions were one of extreme seriousness once playing.

Pete the tiny drummer who when you meet off stage is quiet and unassuming just flourished behind his kit. Titch – so called because he is a giant as Dan pointed out gave out some amazing bass hooks whilst Ant the band’s lead guitarist looked just as amazing behind his guitar as he did the first time and really his fingers must have been shred to the bone after last night’s performance. To say it was blistering (Every pun intended here) is a kind of understatement.

Dan and Ant

Bludvera’s Scott and Patto were clearly enjoying the set and decided to do some stage diving and I was so glad I wasn’t there to bear the brunt of their sweaty bodies as they landed - although seconds earlier I may not have been so fortunate!

Pete, Dan, Ant and Titch

It is clear they are a strong team with Pete writing The Crypt and Ant writing The Sixth Circle of Hell two very strong enjoyable tracks that left the crowd moshing furiously in the pit (which I had to retire from as it got a bit fraught with wind-milling hair and bodies being hurled around from one side of the venue to the other) There was not one person there not moving their heads in appreciation to what was transforming in front of them.

This is one band that if you haven’t seen before then I strongly urge you to do so because they are just superb on stage best I have seen them!

10/10

Set List:

Area 51,

Wings of Darkness,

The Crypt,

Into The Pit (Cover by Testament),

Possessor of Evil,

World at Redemption,

Sixth Circle of Hell

Members:

Daniel Moran - Rhythm Guitar/vocals

Anthony Dalton - Lead Guitar/Backing Vocals

Peter Cattle - Drums

Matthew 'Titch' Pruden - Bass

Gods of War – Liverpool

Links:

http://www.facebook.com/godsofwaruk

Genre: Metal

Gods of War always great to see live with Danny darting about the stage with a look of wild frenzied excitement in his eyes and now with Matty on guitar they seem even stronger than previously seen with the old line-up.

 James and Matty

 Matty and James

The band decided to mix a few old tracks with a new track Gods of Old which had the moshers out in their droves and Patto from Bludvera decided to jump on stage and do stage surf to which an astonished Danny said afterwards “Wow we have never had that happen at one of our gigs before?” Always a first time!

Kris, Matty and Danny

Kris and Matty

Patto joined the band on stage and was making sure the dry lips of the band members were refreshed offering them a sip of his pint whilst in full play mode, this was a lovely touch, from the spandex wearing Patto and Scott also joined in the fun on stage.  There was great camaraderie from most of the bands on the night though with many stopping to support the others – this is always good to see.

Gods of War is gaining momentum as they have now performed the Lancaster circuit and gained high regard for their unique brand of metal and really upped their game.  Tonight was no exception. Totally superb!

10/10

Set List:

Mourning the Departed

Ignite

Pillage and Plunder

Foes who oppose me

Mourning the Departed

The Arrival

Gods of Old * New Track

Apocalypse

Termination Program

Members:

Danny Hell - Lead Vocals

Kris Dobson - Drums

Matt Hughes - Lead Guitar - Lead Backing Vocals

James Collins – Bass - Backing Vocals

RamRaid – Wirral

Links:

http://www.facebook.com/RamRaidUK

Genre: Thrash

 Dom, Ben and Joe

Well it was a bit touch and go at the beginning when Ben said his guitar was “fucked!” and the band hadn’t even got on stage! Fortunately the problem corrected itself and Ben went on to smash the set with his frenzied finger fret approach. Joe also excelled with some fantastic vocal repertoire – probably the best I have ever seen Ramraid play, despite Joe’s low self-esteem but I think Joe is realising now that what he is part of is a strong thrash metal outfit that is certainly climbing further up the ladder and capable of even better things to come with each and every show they play.

Ben and Joe

Into Annihilation was expertly executed and one of my favourite tracks to sing-a- long with it really gets the crowd going.

Ben and Joe

Dom was just thrilling to watch behind his kit and the serious look on his face as he angrily smashed those cymbals to death was absolutely superb.

Dom

With set smashed and all having such a good time it was time for Bludvera to take the stage.

10/10

Set List:

Into Annihilation

Ramraid

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

Bludvera - Liverpool

Links:

http://www.facebook.com/Bludvera

Genre: Thrash

 Lui and Scott

Scott and Patto

This was Bludvera’s fifth anniversary and what a way to celebrate it! The room was at fever pitch as the guys took to the tiny Zanzi stage under a haze of bright lights, and the Zanzi was where the guys first performed those five years ago.

 Lui and Patto

Joey and Scott

The band gave us a new song called Inhale the Rings of Saturn which was well in keeping with their superb thrash set and one I look forward to hearing again next time round.

I saw Bludvera in the early days, Scott was certainly not as confident as he is now and I did say to him back then that he would go far and since then the band has appeared at Bloodstock which proved me right.

Scott

I thought it was very fitting and apt that Scott invited the original members of the band on stage to play Tools of Bloodshed and Seek and Destroy introducing Terry as the founder member and the person responsible for the name “Bludvera” as well as Kristian Dobson back from his frenzied onslaught on drums with Gods of War behind the kit to thrash out a track he played with the band back in the old days – it was superb watching.

Terry and Kristian

Finally the band played Total Recall still one of my out and out favourites from the band as the crowd could join in with the chorus on this one and joined in they did.  That pit could just not have got any fiercer if it tried. I watched it all unfold from a safe distance away; the look on the mosher’s faces was sheer delight and ecstasy with fists held high and the sound of Oi Oi Oi! Amid a sea of hair!

 Scott

Lui and Patto

Baz

Just before the end of the set saw a few jumping on stage to make the most and get everything they could out of the finale that Bludvera had carved into their five years on the circuit – what a fitting end to a magnificent show – here’s to the next five years of Bludvera carnage. May necks continue to be broken.

Set List:

Terrorform

Reanimate

Inhale the Rings of Saturn (New Song)

Citizen Monopoly

Tools of Bloodshed (Old Song w/Original Members)

Seek & Destroy (Metallica Cover w/Original Members)

Voyage beyond the System

Powerhouse

Total Recall

Members:

Scott - Vocals

Patto - Guitar

Joey - Guitar

Lui - Bass

Baz - Drums

*Special thanks to Tony, Pat and Paul as always. Thanks to Ganikah Brown Cuzzy (Ian Laver) Mike – who I thought was Patto most of the evening. Good finally meeting the elusive Paul Ennis and Wendy as well as Kim Jones.

Thanks to everyone for making this a special night to remember including Gates of Purgatory, Reaper, Gods of War, Ramraid and Bludvera – superb sets!

Pittersplatter - Frozen - 9 Track Album - Mutant E - Released 31st October 2012

Pittersplatter

Frozen

9 Track Album

Mutant E

Released 31st October 2012

Pittersplatter – Oklahoma

Links:

http://www.reverbnation.com/pittersplatter

https://www.facebook.com/pittersplatterofficial

In association with https://www.facebook.com/JuggernautServices

Genre: Electronic Nightmare Music/Ambient/Gothic

In Pittersplatter’s own words

“Once upon a time the creature known as Worm Splatter sat alone toiling on his own brand of epic electronic music. Those early musical tapping’s and scratching’s became the Oklahoma based electronic band, Pittersplatter. Pittersplatter's sound takes inspiration from a wide variety of dark music genres yet does not totally embrace any of them, instead choosing to exist in the favour of originality.

The music is a mechanised chorus of angry yet melodic soundscapes paired with dark lyrical themes and monstrous imagery, creating a band unique in both look and sound. Pioneers in their area of both electronic music and dark stage theatrics, the band has gained itself its very own diverse following of fans over almost a decade of live shows both in and out of their home state. These fans coined the term "electronic nightmare music" in attempts to label what the band does, realising that Pittersplatter is not completely aligned with any one genre or trend, Pittersplatter simply is”

Worm Splatter

Just the name Pittersplatter brings interest and intrigue to what is an insight into this dark theatrical ambient force. Founded in 2003, Frozen is just the second of four albums released by Pittersplatter.

Worm looks like Nosferatu (A Vampire derived from Bram Stokers Dracula) certainly grabs the attention and his work is just as attention and thought provoking – although sounding reminiscent of the 80’s scene, the album contains atmospheric goings-on and will be received well in a club full of Goths and Cyber freaks!

9 Tracks display an ambiance of up tempo melodic, haunting rhythms with a touch of experimental are very engaging and manage to merge perfectly to produce an enticing flow.

The Dark

The distant rumblings continue until a wonderful melodious beat pipes up. The vocals are robotic in nature and highly intense listening. The synth harmony is really in tune with the track and it twists and turns all over the place giving deep thuds and in turn causes body motion. Well produced and a superb balanced track that gets the thumbs up from me.

Frozen

Regimented pummelled beats open this track with deep melodic synth. A sampled voice becomes apparent and an inspiring melody ensues. Vocals are not gnarly but clean in approach but have that hypnotic sway. The bass line on this track just gets the body moving and is another winner that will have us cyber buffs on the dance floor once again!

Mummies and Music Boxes

Interesting title this with the sound of sampled ghostly disembodied voices and a little music box playing amid a balanced drum beat. It has a great beat with superb jerky little rhythms and a chant like vocal with a highly contagious chorus. - I dare you not to move to this little track!

The Devil made me do it

Devilish drum beat and a plinking synth sound start this track and a monotone vocal not far removed from Skinny Puppy, indeed one of the band's influences, still a highly auspicious track none the less. The driving rhythm alone will have you sitting up and taking notice.

Desolate

Synthy sounds played amid a simple drum beat and a monastic chant like vocal carries the track. It sounds sinister and ominous, with a slower beat. The vocals are scathing and creepy, however it still manages to intrigue the listener right up until the end.

Glory

Deep and harmonious squelches of synth with a highly charged drum beat starts up. Robotic vocal monotone and disturbing simply wallow in mammoth but yet simple rhythms and highly addictive in content and a track I will most definitely be playing again.

Throwing Bones

Disturbing banging’s afoot with highly intense synth like pumping rhythms power up and build into catchy regimented notes. Vocals in the same vein as before and sound equally as disturbing. The beat moves on and offers some melodic yet powerful substance.

The Blackest Magick

Shuffling noises and a deep synth spring to life with foreboding and again ominous atmospheric gravitas, offers solemn vocals that are compelling and forceful. It raises its game however as a flurry of beats ensues with awesome melodic sounds that twist and turn in all directions and gives the listener something serious to feast upon.

The Waking

Pulsating rhythmic and haunting this track has it all. Great vocals with a female chant this time. The intensity building constantly gives the listener a feast of delicious sounds to mull over with balance and rhythm a plenty giving you yet another stupendous track with the added touch of a simple synth melody.

To sum up:

Worm has delivered a great set of tracks here although reminiscent of the 80’s it still manages to live in the here and now and not only that but he gives us the visual as well as the audial with so much to build upon. Worm has found a niche he slots into very well and one where he can branch out into pastures new if he feels inclined. Also worth noting is the very apt date for this album to be released - Halloween.

This is not an aggressive album - it offers a more sinister characteristic that many will find intriguing. It is very well produced and a definite item of interest for the many who like the sound of sinister electronic pittersplatters, which transform into a highly charged, potent mix of haunting and melodic wizardry – I myself, love it and highly recommend you give it a listen. In fact - I love it so much I am going to listen again!

9/10

Track List:

The Dark

Frozen

Mummies and Music Boxes

The Devil made me do it

Desolate

Glory

Throwing Bones

The Blackest Magick

The Waking

Members:

Worm Splatter – Founder front man songwriter