“The Wolves Remain were formed in
Liverpool, England by a group of guys with passion in their hearts and a fire
in their bellies. Having already released a demo E.P of the same name on the 18th
March 2012, the band is now just beginning to take shape and intend to continue
to stride boldly into the future, evolving with every step”
Now with a
single “Unworthy” out the band seem
to have hit a few stumbling blocks and had to cancel the last gig on the 25th
April due to losing a guitarist and drummer but happy to announce that they
have now found two musicians to fill the gaps and will be announcing who they
are shortly! Quite a feat finding a drummer as they are a bit like rocking
horse shit – a rarity indeed! But kudos to them.
Unworthy
Vocally, scornful
and prominent is what emerged as I clicked on the track and backed up accurately
with some heavy riffs and solid drumming.
This is quite compelling and contains some hypnotic rhythms layered with
unrestrained bass hooks. It holds a good strong melodic groove that intrusively
lightens further on in the track with a dreamy distorted vocal that powers up
again and the vocal just oozes a magnificent intensity.
I think the
band have now realized that they have discovered a new heart for their invention,
notable, and blistering in content and a definite must for all metal core fans
showing a good provoking attack!
Good luck to
the guys getting back onto the circuit as a five piece once again! See you soon!
“Hymn for the Fallen are a 4 piece
metal band from Cheshire, primarily Northwich and Winsford. We combine influences
from many areas of metal, including bands such as The Faceless, Suffokate,
Chelsea Grin, Meshuggah, After the Burial, Aborted, Dying Foetus and more!
These are just a few bands that our members listen to and are influenced by”
Superb cover
that accompanies the equally superb offering on this E.P. Gnarly and grisly and
has that sense of urgency with brilliant use of colour for that dramatic
effect!
Disconnected
A ravaging and
savage brawl of earth shattering elements of pure unadulterated metal comes at
you like a raging bull. Its ravenous
growls smother you in brutality – and it is very safe to say that this track
would not know sensitivity if it jumped up and bit it on the nose! Impacting
guitar screeches into life whilst the drumming is compelling and ignites a
certain manipulation as it is engulfed in torturous growls, deriving its
pleasure from throttling you stupid! - Superb track.
Flatline
Attacks the
senses and leaves one feeling somewhat violated by a scathing and demonic vocal
– definitely a good start. As the track continues it will leave bruises make no
mistake! It’s infectious and forceful demanding a profound and intense listening
pleasure. The driving rhythms will devour you with a savagery like nothing
else!
All my Hate
Here the track
offers a more melodic but regimented beat that is structured well. As with the
previous tracks it is played with a deep passion and if it was a sword would
slice you into small bits with no mercy! It is brooding and brews up a deadly
storm with its commanding riffs and energy offering a wealth of brutal hooks
and grooves.
Proselytism
With sonic
rasps and abrasions and a fiery pounding of blast beats that all lend a hand to
manipulate the aural towards its commanding sound, is pumped devilishly loud
and proud – but watch out this has more venom than a deadly snake perpetually
on the attack, looking for its next victim. Definitely an invigorating listen!
Risen
Crisp guitar
comes into play amid a distant array of voices, with rich waves of pure power
and aggression, it breathes new life into the listener and offers contagious but
exhilarating grooves which surpass their murky depths of raw infusions. Vocally
venomous and delicious – although a slow paced track it offers no respite from
the down-right wicked onslaught of hard bass hooks and evil guitar riffage!
Come out to
Play
More corrosive
riffs and devilish blast beats charge at the listener and will give them a
compulsion to move the head in feverish rhythm to the sounds emanating from the
weary speakers. Shows signs of evil melody and sinister seduction – there is
nowhere to hide this track will find you out and swallow you whole!
Times have
changed
This track will
seduce, torture and command you to kill! The rampant grooves and insidious riffs
will find their way into your head and hypnotically maim. There is a clean vocal
that is entwined around a rasping frenzy of growls but offers no way out as the
acid reigns down and savagely attacks – this is brutality in its raw form and Hymn for the Fallen will know where and
when to offer that deadly bite! This is such a time!
It has already arrived!
To sum up:
This is one evil
E.P that has a corrosive temper and it will rub off on you after just one
listen! It will leave you powered up with the blood cursing around your veins
and all you will want to do is press repeat as you won’t want the onslaught to
stop.
It possesses
captivating and enthralling moments of sheer aggression with heaps of passion
but it may not be the right passion if you were thinking of taking time out for
a mellow moment!
Hymn for the Fallen don’t do
mellow, all they want to do is annihilate and that they do with imposing doom!
A highly captivating and intense listen! Definitely one to listen to if you
like your metal in raw format!
The Torn Prince – Reperium – Artisfiction - Memories
– In Our Defence
The Lomax
25.4.13
Well everything ran more or less
smoothly despite a few technical difficulties within a couple of the sets, and
not the band’s fault either, just to clear that up but shall be explained
within the review for each band.
The Wolves Remain had to cancel sadly
but In our Defence and Memories kindly stepped in at very
short notice.
In our Defence – St
Helens 8.20 – 8.50
Links:
https://www.facebook.com/InOurDefenceUK
Debut E.P 'A Lesson in
Self Control' out now FREE @ http://bit.ly/10x2CV6
Genre: Metal Core
In the band’s own
words:
“In our Defence are 5 Piece Metal Core band from North West England and formed in
December 2011”
Tyler
Kyle
I, myself need a lesson in self-control when I see these guys live!
They are always energetically intense and push boundaries and that always sparks
interest with me. This set was no different.
Alex the band’s vocalist literally used up his energy quicker than the
batteries in my camera! Each track was finely spewed out with such venom and
fight with each rhythm and beat just as raw and biting.
Alex
The band have added two new tracks to their set ‘A Mind’s blind eye’
and ‘Graceland’ the first being my out and out favourite track the melodies
that usher forth from the guitar is just breath-taking and a nice distraction
from the brutally raw so adding depth and dimensions to their repertoire,
however on chatting with Alex after the gig he informed me the band did not like
playing that track but also said that I was not the only one to like it and said others had commented about it – so hopefully the guys will keep it in
their set as it is indeed a superb track.
Harry, Alex, Kalvin and Tyler
‘Shere Khan’ is another track to watch out for as it hurtles to life
and inspires a certain rawness and emotion.
Really good start to ‘Little Panther’s Gig!’
Shere Khan superb track
9/10
Set List:
Vultures
Prometheus
Shere Khan
A Mind's Blind Eye
Graceland
Ultimatum
A Lesson in Self Control
Members:
Alex Melia - @Alex_IOD - Vox
Harry Benyon - @Harry_IOD - Guitar
Kyle Holt - @KyleIOD - Guitar
Kalvin Walton - @KalvinIOD - Drums
Tyler Jones - TylerIOD – Bass
**********
Memories
– Birmingham 9.00 –
9.30
Links:
Download the debut 7 track E.P. for free @ www.memoriesuk.bandcamp.com
Genre: Hardcore
In the band’s
own words:
“Memories are a hard core
band from Birmingham UK playing music consisting of heavy groove riffs combined
with a mix of tight breakdowns and catchy chorus based melodies”
Mike
After listening to ‘Memories’ I was quite taken with them
and describe them as brutal seduction! Their
music carries brutal rhythms and seducing melodies and together they have
really hit the mark and produced some really inspiring tracks that are toxic
and very appealing.
Crayg
The set was captivating and superb with
their distinct sound of fiery passionate insistence and don’t forget that huge
vocal it really provokes a certain madness all adding to a perfect set. So
hopefully it was well worth the guy’s long journey from Birmingham to Liverpool
and I personally hope they make the journey at least a few times more... I could
never get tired of listening to their music with its multiple layers of
aggression and unleashed passion!
“Art.Is.Fiction - Four piece,
Heavy/Hip Hop band from the coast of North Wales
Artisfiction
Well I was a little dubious about this
band and with good reason! Anything Janice Long likes I know I would steer well
clear of as it is far too mainstream for my liking, however, to be fair to the
band, the crowd was heaving and every face on looking around the room was
transfixed on the stage. Heads were moving and the general consensus was “Wow
they are different!” “I like these guys!” “If you don’t take them too
seriously, then they are amazing!” Maybe it was just me, Cuzzy and Handlanger
that did not see what all the fuss was about?
Carl, Nathan, Koda and Thomas
Nathan and Koda
I found the set to be a bit too ‘frilly
and over done!’ but that is just my personal taste. The tracks seemed to be a
million things all hitting the ears harder than an express train and faster
than a marathon runner on speed, so it left me a bit dizzy and that in turn
made me a little bored as I could not focus on anything in particular
At the end of the set though, the guys
formed their own personal little mosh pit which was quite funny and the crowd
really seemed to like that... or maybe they were just trying to subtly let the
crowd know that they would have liked them to move a bit more, but I think the
crowd were so focused on the band they did not want to miss out on anything.
Me; however was not overly impressed,
sorry guys just not my thing.
Reperium are 6 like-minded
musicians blended into one little progressive-metal pot of brutality formerly
called Sick Circus.
Lee and Danny
Danny S
After witnessing Mike and Ant in Sick
Circus a couple of years ago I knew they had that something special. I grew out
of a lot of hair metal back in the 80’s but there are certain bands that can
carry it off and Sick Circus were one such act.
Danny B
Now as Reperium(Fresh
from Kenny!):D it is like the guys have not just moved on with time but
become a lot more serious with their art form and now slightly progressive with
metal core elements and it certainly is a totally new direction for the band to
go in.
Tom
Their intro is one of the funniest I
have heard and typically scouse, proving they haven’t lost their whacky sense
of humour even though the music has taken a serious step up the scale.
Mike
The Lomax was now at overload point
with not much room to move in the tiny space.
It was Tom and I think Danny’s first debut on stage, and to say I was impressed
was an understatement. Tom was loud and
proud and took to the stage like a duck to water, bantering that old scouse
shit to the crowd and totally hilarious.
Ant
Ant had a minor technical hitch with
his guitar but it was fixed within minutes and the band carried on to deliver
such a brilliant set and have indeed come a long way on their personal musical
journey.
The brand new debut single from Reperium
Here’s to seeing them play live again
very, very soon with more musical exploits to come!
“The
Torn Prince are a 5 piece Heavy Metal band from Liverpool, who have been
described as Progressive, Thrash Metal & Metal Core. Fresh from their debut
appearance at Threshold. They are really looking to turn heads and get noticed”
Chris and Marcus
I felt very annoyed with the crowds
that were there for Reperium and who
did not stay till the end of the gig which finished well before midnight I might
add, to stop and watch The Torn Prince
it was frustrating and embarrassing for the band to have to just play to a
handful of people (This is not directed at people who have work or college that
is understandable)
Chris
Anyway despite the lack of audience
participation The Torn Prince still put
every ounce of energy into their set, starting with their disgustingly heavy
intro which was dramatic in delivery as well!
Adam
Dramatically intense are two words that
sum up all the bands tracks matching up to their strength, hunger and sheer
determination. Each track I hear from them sends chills down my backbone and
injects a new understanding to the term brutal with beauty!
Adam and Joe
Towards the end of the set a microphone
dropped dead – probably through over work as Joe and Chris mastered the vocals
between them but Joe held his mic to Chris so they could take command of the
track, and shows great team effort.
Chris and Marcus
‘Burnt Out’ is another scorching track
and undeniably a master piece with each note sending out an emergency signal to
the audial that entraps a surgical and critical procedure of total aural
pleasure.
Proud to rep The Torn Prince!
The
Torn Prince thought they were going to finish at the track ‘Se7en’ but I could not
help myself I just wanted more but Joe had nearly lost his vocal chords – so as
I adore the track ‘For Her’ shouted to Chris to play it and so it worked out
quite well. The track is an instrumental and on first hearing it last year
sometime, I just could not stop playing it.
Its fiery shards of frets produce such beauty, oozes serious skill and
employs an overall profound creativity that Torn Prince deliver in abundance, AND The Torn Prince were the only band to get an encore!
For Her ... one awesome track from The awesome Torn Prince!
Marcus and Joe after the set!
So to all the lame asses who left
before The Torn Prince came on stage
– you missed an extremely intense and powerful set, drenched in engaging melodic
rhythms, sizzling beats, and expressive vocals – and serve you right!
Bitch Slap!
10/10
Set
List:
Disgustingly heavy intro
A Man apart
This Thirst
Ice to Touch
Burnt Out
Se7en
For Her
Members:
Joe Barcas - Vocals
Chris Moore - Guitar & Backing Vocals
Adam Gee - Guitar & Backing Vocals
Marcus Rylance - Bass
Jakke Mawdsley - Drums
***
Special thanks to Kath Murphy for
putting on a superb gig. Tim for the quality sound. Ian Cuzzy Laver for being my body guard
for the evening, Handlanger from Sclavinia for his witty banter, Adam Coffey great to meet you and have
a chat, and thanks to the bands In our
Defence, Memories, Artisfiction, Reperium and The Torn Prince for truly blistering sets. Apologies to Mike Lothario for not recognizing him - but shall not forget you now :D
“Memories are a hard core band from Birmingham
UK formed in July 2012, playing music consisting of heavy groove riffs combined
with a mix of tight breakdowns and catchy chorus based melodies.
Their debut
release 'The Sleepless Years' is
available for a free download alongside their very own Justin Bieber cover
accompanied by a music video via their YouTube page which has over 9000 views
in total.
Alongside this
they are frequently announcing fresh news on a daily basis from endorsements to
studio updates to new shows/tours and they are most definitely a band to keep
your eyes on throughout 2013!”
Apart from the
mention of “Just a Beaver” which nearly sent me running in the opposite
direction this band do have a certain amount of clout! So off to see them play
live at the Lomax this evening and just hope no Beaver fans are about or there
will be trouble!
IDGAF
Well certainly
a sonic attack as the guitar kicks in and then a mighty
fuuuuuuuuuuckkkkkkkkkkkk – holds a great intensity and enthralling emotion with
a sultry thrust of powerful rhythms and grooves, played tight as a duck’s bum.
Literally bristles with tempting tones and malevolent passion offering an
emotive stance of resistible and uncompromising seduction.
Every Bridge
Burnt
Rippling with a
mad ambiance and heavy as two ton of metal it surges into a wild existence with
nice throaty screams and punishing power ridden guitar. This will fuel your
fire! As with most of today’s music it holds a clean vocal accompanied by a guttural
growl but perfectly balanced especially on this track with lots of constant
attack!
Friends
A high pitched
crisp vocal accompanied by a distortion of guitar and bass – quite a mixed up
track although it does hold some appeal for instance the guttural secretions
that slaughter and maim with sheer delight. The spiteful energy just flows with
a barrage of drumming. It also holds some more mellow rhythms in its breakdowns
but starting to grow on me.
Memories
Decisions
A really mellow
start with crisp clean strings building slowly with intrigue and beauty.
Creative and diverse, this shows superb change of direction in abundance. A
mellow vocal as you would expect, but then the snarling takes over this is a
work of extreme art and shows a raw freshness that is most welcome.
Figure of
Speech
Bedlam ensues
the snarling growls in abundance are prominent on this track and really ignite
the blood to such an invigorating high degree you may spontaneously combust in
an array of dazzling energetic fusions of fiery guitar and pummelling drums.
The Sleepless
Years Pt.1 Feat Jim Drummer
Ripping your
spine out from a fist straight through your mouth - a combination of fire and
brimstone ushers forth submerging you in a hot sweat with jabbing rhythms and
pounding beats. A mellow vocal pipes up not letting the track move to boiling
point until the spiteful growl kicks in but the creative little melodies keep
it in line but it does not succeed for long as the gnarly growls forcibly
attack and instigates a barbed and lustful bitch slap to the unsuspecting
listener.
The Sleepless
Years Pt.2
More mellow
moments leave you in a reflective mood. Swirling ambient strings and a stark
drum beat kicks in. Vocally intense as once again the growls come out to
venture with their partner of crisp clean vocals and then fade into metal
oblivion.
To Sum Up:
A very creative
mix of raw and mellow with finely tuned guitar straddling an edgy drum beat and
strong bass hooks. Thrilling and
captivating it reaches places you never thought existed and even its mellow
moments have something set aside for you to revel in.
Not a bad 6
track E.P at all blatantly coarse with a lot of tease and in certain instances
unrestrained.
