Metal goes Mental - Elephantom - The Torn Prince - Bury the Fallen & In our Defence - The Zanzibar, 8.3.13

Metal goes Mental

Elephantom – The Torn Prince – Bury the Fallen & In Our Defence

The Zanzibar

08.03.13

Well despite a chilly wet evening I was still really looking forward to this gig even if I had seen all four bands previously, although The Torn Prince and Elephantom had made quite big changes to their line-ups and sets and with new tracks from Bury the Fallen and In our Defence it was definitely worth checking out.

In our Defence – St. Helens

In our Defence - Metal to the Core!

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/InOurDefenceUK

Genre: Metal Core

The old bone of contention “Metal-Core” you either like it or hate it, however I fall into the category of like! Simply for the fact I like the raw power and delivery it has, but I expect a lot more younger metal heads are into it because of the year they were born and more exposed to it. I think in my case I am more broad minded than most.

Harry & Alex

In our Defence were quite tight and delivered a really solid aggressive set Alex’s vocal were scathing and brutal and by the end of the first track he looked absolutely shattered – but then again this is a very “lively” genre and a lot of stomping and jumping around the stage was had by most members of the band – so hardly surprising!

Harry & Alex

The tracks Shere Khan and Ultimatum were really superb and stood out for me as being the best – Shere Khan had some amazing pulverising riffs and bass with really superb vocals and one of my favourite tracks by the band. It was delivered with absolute precision and held a lot of pumping rhythms that you could not fail to move your head to in time to those snappy and uncompromising beats. The screams were just out of this world and highly tasty and Ultimatum was heavier and again well executed.

Off the record - It seems that the band nearly suffered an arrest from Police as their white van was being used in (not) a real kidnapping scene for something they were filming and their producer forgot to inform Merseyside Police – funny that really as if it was in real life the Police would take about an hour showing up and the kidnappers would be long gone, but I digress...

Harry & Kalvin

Really strong set from the band and they are to release their first full single 'Shere Khan' from their E.P 'A Lesson in Self-Control' out 11/03/13 so if like me you love Metal-Core you are simply going to love this! Check it out!

9/10

Set List:

Vultures

Prometheus

Shere Khan

Ultimatum

A Lesson in Self Control

Members:

Alex Melia - Vox

Harry Benyon - Guitar

Kyle Holt - Guitar

Kalvin Walton - Drums

Tyler Jones – Bass

******

Bury the Fallen – Liverpool

Bury the Fallen minus Roj

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/buryTF

Genre: Metal

 Midd, Roj, Duffy & Jacob

Midd, Roj and Duffy

Always a pleasure to witness Bury the Fallen, full of style, rhythm, melody and brutality all rolled into one! With superb stage presence having multi-talented members in the band - loved them since first hearing their 4 track E.P. “Messages” and was thrilled and enthralled by its contents.

 Duffy and Jacob

Hats off - Jacob!

Although the Zanzi was not awash with bodies this time round the people that did make the effort to go and see the event were well pleased with Bury the Fallen’s set and who could blame them? Still as brutal as ever and last night they seemed a lot more melodic in approach with banter still reigning – these guys just know where to hit the spot!

 Midd

Good performance which was expertly executed and enjoyed by the people there. Solid and engagingly superb tracks, that was highly enjoyable to witness. The change-over between Roj and Jacob happened for the Killswitch Engage cover “End of Heartache” and had hair flying a plenty.

 Roj

Jacob

“Homeward” was the band’s newest addition to the set and brutal it was into the bargain! Looking forward to hearing that one again for sure!

Half way through the set when Roj was at the mic he announced “And this is the part where we try and get Midd a girl-friend!” Midd looked less than pleased at the remark but being the quiet and unassuming member of the band just took it all in his stride and went on to give out some brilliant riffs.

A lot of good feedback for Bury the Fallen who no doubt will stand the test of time and hopefully get a lot more gigs from it – outstanding performance – well done guys and see you next time round!

10/10

Set List:

Unknown

Homeward (Brand New Track)

Messages

End of Heartache (Killswitch Engage Cover)

Sever

Forever Shall They Burn

Members:

Sean Duffy - Guitars & Screamed Vocals

Ben Midd - Guitars

Jacob Walsh - Bass Guitar

Sam Roj - Drums & Clean Vocals

******

The Torn Prince – Ormskirk, Merseyside

The Torn Prince - will rip you apart!

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/TheTornPrinceOfficial

Genre: Progressive/Thrash/Metalcore

With total changes plus new bass player Markus Rylance The Torn Prince were ready to rip your faces off, despite one or two shaky patches during the set where at one point it sounded like the band were playing two separate tracks at the same time – still managed to pull off a most brutal set.

 Jakke

Adam

Chris who once sung for the band now does backing vocals and Joe who once played bass decided to take over the vocals which have changed The Torn Prince forever.

 Joe being brutal

Joe & Chris

Now simply pure and raw as Joe growled his way through the set under a mountain of hair the set really got the heart racing and the temperatures rising although after seeing the band on a few occasions previously was difficult to get into the new set up i.e. not seeing Joe with a bass for one and the tracks now contain less melody and are more right in your face hard core!

New bassist Markus did really well and fitted into his new surroundings very well, not a bad set at “Metal goes Mental” – looking forward to seeing what The Torn Prince have up their sleeves for the next gig and knowing them it is going to be a scathing performance.

Chris & Markus

If you were thinking that Chris owns a similar guitar to Ben from Bury the Fallen you would be wrong as Ben stepped up to help Chris out as his guitar was not working properly – so cheers Ben this kind of support is always welcome.

9/10

Set List:

Intro

A Man Apart

Presence of Absence

Seven

This Thirst

Burnt Out

Paths

Members:

Joe Barcas - Vocals

Chris Moore - Guitar & Backing Vocals

Adam Gee - Guitar & Backing Vocals

Marcus Rylance - Bass & Backing Vocals

Jakke Mawdsley - Drums

******

Elephantom – Liverpool

The new look Elephantom

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/epbanduk

Genre: Progressive Metal

From 24^th September 2012 Arkaidence died and out of the ashes arose Elephantom complete with gas masks and suits.

 Mike & Rich

Mike, Al & Rich

It seems a lot of bands are changing their images and although the tracks are the same they now have a stage presence to follow where by before the band did not follow any pattern apart from a progressive one and so the fact they have one now does make a difference.

I am not totally sure how the band came to call themselves Elephantom but I am presuming it has something to do with the gas masks they now wear on stage but I could be wrong.

 Pete

It can be difficult to get into at times - with progressive metal blended elements, of heavy metal and progressive rock music, taking on the loud aggressive mode but Elephantom cope with this really well and last night’s performance was really entertaining and a befitting end to a good evening.

The band always mix the set list up never playing all the same tracks which is a good idea as you get to hear different tracks all the time and not the same ones over and over  although the problem being there is that you may not hear a track you liked previously but then there is always next time round.

Al’s vocals did not always hit the top notes at times but he really put in 100% effort and I did enjoy the set last night though has to be said and Pete was just superb on drums as ever really giving them a pounding!

Al & Rich

Hats off to them for providing us all with a good solid set to end the evening.

9/10

Set List:

Crossing the Threshold

Parallax

Unworthy Divine

The Forgotten One

Members:

Alex "Danger Al" Nolan - Lead Vocals

Michael "Mickey Tiddles" Threlfall - Vocals/Guitar

Richard "Ricardo Cojones" Jones - Bass

"Poontang" Pete Roper - Drums

******

**Special thanks to Mike Hardy as ever, for putting on another good gig for Metal goes Mental. Tony, Paul, Toffo and Oliya – who incidentally did an amazing job on the sound for the evening, (watch out Pat!) - Ian “Cuzzy” Laver for giving me a heart attack when I found out he was pissed!! Andy Deathwave and Phil Vidamore for coming out and supporting the event – enjoyed the chat guys! And to all the bands – In our Defence, Bury the Fallen, The Torn Prince and Elephantom for providing us all with a good night’s entertainment.

 The legend - Mike Hardy

 Ian "Cuzzy" Laver

 Me relaxing in the Swan with Duffy (Bury the Fallen) 

The Torn Prince and their man boobs! 

Machine Wraith - Machine Wraith - 4 Track E.P. - Released 28th July 2012

Machine Wraith

Machine Wraith

4 Track E.P.

Released 28th July 2012

Machine Wraith – Halifax

Links:

http://machinewraith.bandcamp.com

https://www.facebook.com/MachineWraith

Genre: Harsh Electro/Industrial Dance

In the band’s own words:

Machine Wraith started out in the last few months of 2008 as a project headed by Mat Lahan. As interest in taking the music grew further, close friend and bass player Ben Healey joined. In January 2009 the first CD 'Our Kind in Pure Fulfillment' was released for worldwide order.

Since the release of the first CD, Machine Wraith took time to mature their sound and explore different styles of writing and working. The biggest change was Ben becoming more involved as co-vocalist and songwriter. With this change the songs have gained a much wider scope in all aspects.

A self-titled E.P has now been released for download and physical CD, 4 tracks that showcase the diverse styles that influence and shape the band's sound. From the soaring trance chorus of 'Architect of Fate' to the brutal, black metal infused 'Voices Disgraced', the harsh, pounding 'Mutate' to the sinister 'Sleepless', Machine Wraith have found what works for them and they intend to keep pushing this as far as possible.

As this demo is released Machine Wraith are in the process of assembling a live show with a set list of old and new material that encompasses a multitude of genres”

The E.P. Cover is really stunning considering it is just black with the bands logo on the front and more of the same inside, but minimalistic is all you need with this kind of genre – it is no fuss, no frills because what matters is contained inside and these cd’s have been superbly created with a good strong logo in red creating an intrigue – you just have to open it and play it.

Architect of Fate

The deep sonic bubbling keys and the gravelly vocal are just superb with the shrill haunting sounds that appear in between really giving the track depth – the fire and brimstone energy is amazing and the harmonies are well balanced making this a great start. Also a good dance track to boot!

Mutate

More deep pulsing Synth and mesmerising beats come surging forth. The vocals are strong and compelling and surrounded by a trance effect sound with a good melodic content that will no doubt have us Industrial Cyber Freaks dancing around the room. Its breakdown slows and has an ominous feel with whispering vocals and then the build-up just explodes! Can’t keep still to this!

Voices Disgraced

The guitar is prominent on this track with a flurry of frenzied keys and fast gravelly vocal that is heavy duty with durable beats and fired up rhythms adding a squelchy synth sound to the mix – this is an intense listen right down to the haunting keys at the end of the track with a definitive blackened edge that really does balance this track out superbly well.

Sleepless

Deep harmonious beats and sparse keyboard with whispered vocal gives this an ambient feel but it doesn’t go right off the scale as the beautiful choppy little synth lifts it to new realms. A very trance effect track – that develops into a more heavier feel later on with harsh vocals that are always most welcome adding a brutality that gives tremendous balance.

To Sum Up:

This is a good strong 4 track E.P with plenty of clout and will no doubt be repeated again a few times by yours truly! Industrial is a very exciting genre. It does cover a lot of ground and Machine Wraith seem to have covered most of it in just 4 tracks so what you get here is what the band say in the biography above - trance, black, harsh and sinister it is all here just waiting for you to give it a listen.

I particularly love the deeply moving trance rhythms and the harsh vocals which really give any industrial track a kick up the backside and when I hear it the first thing I want to do is move to the delicious array of robust sounds and this is one such E.P. 4 tracks from the band are just a small taster and I will be checking out their other album with eager anticipation be it from 2009! Bring it on!!

9/10

Track List:

Architect of Fate

Mutate

Voices Disgraced

Sleepless

Members:

Mat Lahan – Vocals/Song/Lyric writing/Guitar/Synth/Drum Programming/Producing & Mixing

Ben Healey – Bass/Vocals/Song/Lyric writing

Infalling - Path of Destruction - 5 Track E.P. Released September 2012

Infalling

Path of Desolation

5 Track E.P.

Released September 2012

You have to hear this!

Infalling – Cleveland Ohio

Links:

www.myspace.com/infalling

www.facebook.com/infalling

Genre: Heavy Metal

In the band’s own words:

“INFALLING consist of five musicians coming from a wide array of musical backgrounds, and formed in 2011 - ranging from hard core, jazz, prog-rock to rap and of course metal. INFALLING blends together to form a bond between different types of genres Tony Balante (A Few Askew, Stresslord) applies dynamic vocals, Justin Endres (Odious Sanction, Pale Creation, Stresslord, Law of Destruction) implements brutal riffing, Eric Frabotta (Inhumation, Stresslord) produces explosive percussion, Ben Smith pulverises the bass strings and Dave Martin implements savage frets"

The album cover depicts a statue on a heap of rubble under a cloud ridden sky and literally in keeping with what is contained inside the CD as it is skull-splitting and yet breathtakingly reflective and the title tracks tell a story all their own – the artwork is very cleverly put together by “Ruin” and created by Hal Rotter of Rotting Graphics.

Genesis

Dark and unforgiving in approach with resonating guitar and sampled voices amid a shrill guitar sound that is a very interesting and intriguing instrumental.

Forthcoming

Fast foot work and immense vocal content that is really face-melting incorporating fantastic sharp rhythms and striking guitar riffs – highly mesmerising and makes sure if nothing else that this E.P. is worth listening to.

Pain breeds Fury

A fast, furious and compelling track with kick beats and hateful but engaging vocals with occasional slow-downs and well balanced with superb build ups. This will pull you into its creative rhythms and the fret work can only be described as awe-inspiring.

Nonexistent

The sound of a siren begins and then an onslaught of indulging blast beats and crushing powerful guitar with a chanting scourging vocal begins and very brutal to the extreme incorporating a good melody further on in the track that simply adds to the spell-binding addictive style of Infalling very nicely.

Nonexistent - by Infalling

Revelations

Absolutely ear bending lavish guitar which is executed so beautifully, with its crisp sound so deftly carved into creating such an amazing piece of music. The sophistication of this track alone is just truly superb. Very different to the four previous tracks even though it is an instrumental and you can’t bang your head to it but it possesses a beautiful classical overtone that you simply can’t ignore and despite loving the extreme side to metal I find myself hitting the repeat to re-live the beauty of this track over and over again! Everything else just pales into insignificance! Epic!

To sum up:

A beautifully executed and produced E.P. with a lot of (nice) surprises from downright brutal to downright beautiful, there is nothing lacking with each track offering something good to listen to and enjoy. The guys have really put together something special here and are brilliant musicians to boot showing they have a diverse side not only sophisticated but aggressive  and mixing the two works.

This is an incredible listen – everyone should hear this and they can start by clicking on the link above - but for me owning this CD is something much more special – I love every riff, beat, and rhythm contained on it – it is perfection and shows a very high degree of exciting and tremendous music that has plenty to offer the listener.

Path of Destruction showcases the bands art to a very high standard. Don’t you dare by-pass this incredible E.P. or you will miss out on a truly immense listen.

10/10

Track List:

Genesis

Forthcoming

Pain breeds Fury

Nonexistent

Revelations

The Immense band - Infalling!

Members:

Tony Balante - Vocals

Justin Endres - Guitars & Bass

Eric Frabotta - Drums

Dave Martin - Guitar

Ben Smith - Bass

Slamhound - Lace, Leather and Chrome - 6 Track E.P - Young Ave Records - Released 2004

Slamhound

Lace, Leather and Chrome

6 Track E.P

Young Ave Records

Released 2004

Slamhound – Memphis, Tennessee

Links:

http://www.myspace.com/slamhound

Genre: Southern Sleaze Metal/Rock

In the band’s own words:

“Slamhound is Stephen Waddell on drums AKA the Wildman, Shawn Halsey on bass AKA the low end, James Fresh on guitar AKA disciple 1, and Carroll Gray on vocals AKA father evil.

Formed Oct 2002 with the first show on Jan 4, 2003 at Reed-Meisters in Memphis and played our 100th show Sept 15, 2007 at Printers Alley in Memphis. Slamhound have been featured on Memphis' rock stations 93x and rock 103 and also fistfuls of Internet Radio Stations.

Slamhound first recorded a 4 track demo, a 7 song live demo recorded at the new daisy in Memphis and a 6 track E.P entitled Lace, Leather & Chrome recorded at Young Ave Sound in Memphis. Slamhound worked on a 12 track CD with GNOB studios that came out in summer 2009 and in Feb 2012 they became members of the KOT, a club consisting of metal bands and fans of heavy music getting together and playing shows without the help of corporate sponsors”

The cover of this album has a lot of appeal with a nice shiny chrome bike engine on the front along with the parental advisory lyrics sticker and inside some great pics of the band with a lot of special thank you’s on the inside cover.

Bodyslam

Brisk drum beats emerge with challenging guitar riffs the vocals are quite doom-laden in sound and indeed very sleazy although in places dull and off key - I was expecting something a little more up-beat and lively to be honest – sadly it is not the case here.

Lace, Leather & Chrome

Hard edged bass brings this track to life with a resounding “crunch” and the music is a lot more up-beat with the vocals sounding a little more alive. It possesses some nice grooves and head banging qualities. The guitar really is superb offering good solid riffing.

I want my turn

This track throws out heavy guitar and chunky bass with steady drum beat but can’t help feel that the vocals are sounding a little off key and again lifeless, which is a shame as the track seemed to offer some potential.

Coming Down

A nice start with fast chugging guitars and a steady rolling drum beat but again vocally does not quite hit the mark as they sound very sparse indeed and I feel that if they were more powerful it would really be more in keeping with the track however the guitar really soars and the bass hooks are superb.

Elusive

Loving the beginning of this track with crisp guitar and sneaky plundering bass with a more up tempo drum beat – vocally sounds much better as there is a little more going on in the track and the rhythm is delicious. Great track worthy of a repeat or three!

Never too old

Sadly again vocally this does not hit the grade but the harmonies are uplifting. There is a nice chug contained in the rhythm but that low vocal drone just does not compliment the track at all.

To sum up:

I must apologise to the band for thinking this CD was released last year when in fact it was released in 2004.

This is what Carroll had to say about it:

“When we started Young Ave Studios was doing a promotion: If a handful of bands would agree and sign a contract they would record the cd and print them out themselves, all we had to do was agree to play their select shows and at the time it was a great deal. We were young and rushed to record all six songs in two days I knew then I sounded awful but they would not let me redo a lot of stuff and the engineer was not at all concerned with helping us but it is what it is and at the time we loved the cd but years went by and we recorded more things and realized how that the Lace cd was our stepping stone. I always say to the guys I want to re-record the Lace cd but they are not too keen on the idea. Elusive was always everyone’s favourite and that is the most positive song that came out of that experience”

We all have to start somewhere and I have heard the latest recording by Slamhound and I have to say this time they literally blew the roof off! And I will in the not too distant future be putting out a review of it.

Again my sincere apologies to Slamhound.

6/10

Track List:

Bodyslam

Lace, Leather & Chrome

I want my turn

Coming Down

Elusive

Never too old

Members:

Shawn Halsey – Bass/Backing Vocals

Steve Maddall – Drums/Backing Vocals

James Fresh – Guitar

Carroll Gray – Vocals