Warsickle - Kellerklang - 4 Track E.P - Gothic World Records - Released 20th April 2013

Warsickle

Kellerklang

4 Track E.P

Gothic World Records

Released 20^th April 2013

Out Now! Superb E.P

Written for www.Graveconcernsezine.com

Warsickle – Prague CZ

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/warsickle

Listen and Buy the E.P Here:

http://gothicworld.bandcamp.com/album/warsickle-kellerklang

Discography

Into The Battle – (Demo 2004)

Brutal Fusion – (Demo 2005)

MMXII – 2010 (Self Released Full length Album)

Krytoboys vs Warsickle- 2010 (Split)

Corruptocracy - 2012 (21.6.2012) (Self Released Full length Album)

Call For Help - E.P 2012 (21.7.2012) Gothic World Net label

Genre: EBM, Industrial

“Formed 2003 solely by Vanson with the idea to perform uncompromising music but started out as death/grind/electro and in 2004 the first demo was produced and entitled ‘Into the Battle’ but by 2005 ‘Brutal Fusion’ was released Vanson headed off in a different direction with added electronica and a slow-down in tempo. In the summer of 2010 another release called ‘MMXII’ was born and a first performance at Cholupice Open Air festival near Prague.

Vanson has his finger in a few pies, so to speak and is involved with Vanity Against Nothingness, Srp, Alcohol Funeral plus other projects but they are all now on hold.  In 2011 Vanson is also in a Black ‘n’ Roll band called ‘Sichelstein’ from Romania and released an album through Valse Sinistre Records with them. In the same year he appeared on Czech National TV in a documentary about underground music”

Burn the Bridge

This track has an appetite for delicious rhythms and an insatiable sound incorporating dream like structures, muted beats and addictive little synth sounds that together form a hypnotic array of powerful creative expression.

Personal Whore

An eerie sinister opening that melts into an addictive flurry of bubbling heaviness. Vocally biting and edgy, it showcases a very creative track that is again laced with addictive rhythms.

Cacophony

With brooding quality, lighter synth notes and a grotesque vocal that sounds like Pinky and Perky met Satan. However it’s a gripping track that explores an absorbing atmosphere and pleasing on the ear. It’s one track I shall enjoy playing again

Omnia Tempus Habent

Capturing a raw elegance of regimented synth that has true balance, is engaging and yet simple.  Harbouring a deep unadulterated rhythm that has a striking quality about it and ensures the listener is fully satisfied. The contents of this track alone will be glued to your ears but it will be a matter of having to listen to it over and over as it will take hold very quickly - Truly superb track!

To Sum up:

I love the quality of this E.P – its crisp no nonsense synthesiser is hypnotic and brooding with some awesome beats incorporated into its hard shell. It holds a deep fascination that begs to be listened to over and over again.  The repetitive rhythms on Omnia Tempus Habent are just so delicious and definitely deserves several replays at least! Time to dust off the furry boot covers and get moving!!

Vanson has now sparked an interest for me to explore some of his earlier work – also a lover of death/grind it is something I feel I need to check out.

But this E.P is just right up my street for good old EBM and Industrial – loving it!

10/10

Track List:

Burn the Bridge

Personal Whore

Cacophony

Omnia Tempus Habent

Members:

Vanson

FaithXtractor - The Great Shadow Infiltrator - 11 Track Album - Deathgasm Records - Released 10th May 2013

FaithXtractor

The Great Shadow Infiltrator

11 Track Album

Deathgasm Records

Released 10^th May 2013

Out now!

Written for www.Ramzine.co.uk

FaithxTractor – Cincinnati Ohio

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Faithxtractor

Discography

Demo 2006  Demo 2006   

Impious Trilogy / Project Trauma -Split        2008   

Razing the World of Myth - Full-length          2008   

The Great Shadow Infiltrator - Full-length     2013 

Genre: Death Metal

In the bands own words:

“Ash and Marquis are brothers and are also in a Horror-Punk styled band called ''Vladimirs'' and formed in 2005”

A very interesting and eye-catching logo as well as a superb cover that almost looks futuristic and very unlike the usual death metal covers that are black and although mysterious and ominous in visionary findings, don’t really do much for creating anything different, whilst FilthxTractor have taken the initiative to do something opposing – so kudos to them!

“The Beast Holographic” is a superb array of quality music with essential guttural secretions and as you would expect a death metal album to be and they do not disappoint on that level. The music is slow and threatening but contains all the gnarly extras along with a doom element that gives it that sinister feel of death.

Igniting an intense array of guitar that seems slightly muffled on Six Knives of Redshield which is a shame, but comes alive again on Earth to Anvil. The titles of the said tracks are also quite unusually named as In all forms Reptilian, which hosts a much higher tempo than on the previous tracks, with a monumental kick beat playing amid more muffled guitar and malevolent vocals, however, it is a superb piece of writing.

Violent aggression comes in the form of Third and Final as it is paved in ambient tones and high octane levels of rhythmic sway hosting an ominous vocal that merges together and becomes a harsh toxic persuasion.

The title track The Great Shadow Infiltrator starts off with another doom laden moment with ambiance flecked all around its formidable satisfactory dark rhythms.

Shrill and harsh this track The Eye at the Divide explodes with guitar flexibility and for once not sounding muffled like it was recorded at the back of a room immediately charges and rife with rampant fertility, is balanced and a well thought out track that gives in turn solid rhythmic patterns with lots of diverse expression.

The cascading free flowing rhythms of Freedom Conditional are immense as they are far reaching, with ear splitting melody that furthers itself from the doom laden moments of any previous tracks. Soaring blast beats and skull crushing, shrill guitar moments amid a mesmerising display of melodic hypnotic wash make this one to savour!

Coffle... I actually wrote this down as Coffin at first but then realised that Filthxtractor have a tendency to use only unusual words for their titles! This powers into the unknown with a tidal wave of ferocity and firm unbending rhythms that climb amid a superb throaty growl.

With Cold Calculation this track is once again a gigantic slab of rising and passionate rhythms that glide effortlessly to ever quickening blast beats and holds a lot of teasing captivation that is seriously challenging and a welcome blast to the aural.

The closing moment of Shackling the Long Usurped does not come lightly. Its invigorating pummelling beats and rapturous frets swirl around more throaty grasping guttural voice and leaves one grinning inanely as it ferociously bruises with unbridled energy.

To Sum up:

Exhilarating as it is, this album also plays host to some darker moments of doom so incorporating a lot of welcome diversity. With lots of destructive resonating guitars that build to a high proportion on a lot of the tracks and savagely kicks with its ominous and sinister moments of more thought provoking encounters amid captivating throaty rasps of evocation, it is certainly a lot for the listener to grasp and hold on to and almost impossible not to find something to like here

Personally, I prefer a more uplifting tempo as on The Eye of the Divide and The Beast Holographic with its anthemic qualities, but found myself slipping back to re-listen to the track The Great Shadow Infiltrator with its ominous flares of doom. These three tracks prove just how diverse FilthxTractor is at showing off their skills and highlighting their talents to a very high degree. Brewing up plenty of ambiance and heavy intensity - this album is on to a winner!

9/10

Track List:

The Beast Holographic

Six Knives of Redshield

Earth to Anvil

In all forms Reptilian

Third and Final

The Great Shadow Infiltrator

The Eye at the Divide

Freedom Conditional

Coffle

With Cold Calculation

Shackling the Long Usurped

Members:

Ash Thomas - Guitars, Drums/Vocals/Bass

Marquis Thomas - Backing Vocals/Guitars

Mortal Form - The Reckoning - 10 Track Album - My Kingdom Music - Released 13th May 2013

Mortal Form

The Reckoning

10 Track Album

My Kingdom Music

Released 13^th May 2013

Out now!

Written for www.Ramzine.co.uk

Mortal Form – Arnhem/Duiven – Netherlands

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/mortalform

Genre: Melodic Death Thrash

In the bands own words:

“Mortal Form is a Death Thrash band from Arnhem/Duiven in the Netherlands.  In 1994 Vince, Teun, and Bastian started Odd Funeral (Later became Mortal Form) after some line-up changes Mortal Form recorded their first self-financed MCD “X-Plore” in 1999. One year later Mortal Form were again working on a new release “The End of Times” released in December 2000.  An overload of inspiration made the band enter the studio again in July 2001 to record their long awaited debut “Evil Reborn” in the Alpha Studio (Netherlands) with the help of synchronized Studio and Marmer Productions.  In 2008 after some years spent through devastating live shows and line-up changes, the recordings of Mortal Forms second album was completed and also arrived the deal with Italian label My Kingdom Music.  CD’s title, “Taste the Blood” a great piece of Thrash Death Metal received excellent reviews by the metal press all over the world”

The Reckoning - A filler track begins this album with thunder abound and a sampled voice informing us of the impending doom that awaits.

Storm before Calm is momentous and fiery as it bristles with heavy intent. Gruff intense vocal dominates the track and literally sucks the air around it, amid a ferocious pummelling beat and immense guitar that knows no limits! Absolutely invigorating and greedy with rhythmic wash. This band are out to impress and have done so on this track with a resounding yessssssssssssssssss!!!!! I can feel a repeat of this may be necessary.

Forsaken Graves starts with a thick and arduous driving beats until an acute array of finger work mesmerizes on the guitar and takes the track to another level. Impacting rhythms push the onslaught further into its depths of gnawing intent, this is stupendous!

A darker, heavier rhythm quickly wraps itself around a gnarly vocal arrangement courtesy of Rogier Van Den Weiden who makes a guest appearance on the first track of three and screams of potent malice. *Dungeon plays host to all this, plus a thrashing abundance of steely complexity, as it chews through the strong melodic swathe incorporating a strenuous bass hook, sonic guitars and building harmonies – this will crush you!

The band now offer a more brooding moment on Apocalyptic Aftermath but not without its bubbling and vibrant melodic sway, it still houses skull crushing tendencies and head banging urges – which lasts pretty much all the way throughout the track.  The guitar reaches the euphoric stage and dominates the middle section superbly with antagonistic beats – another face melter!

As Nature turns Evil (The sleeper awakes) dramatic and impacting the track arrives, ignites and explodes in one instant! It hosts an insatiable melody that has rapturous effects and a punishing vocal that scathes the air along with a savage bass hook that plants itself on the innocent jaw of the listener. Fuck this is amazing!

*Miasma bounces on a cloak of melodic intensity as it unfolds and literally engulfs the hungry ear.  It has a determined quality and punishing rhythmic qualities that ignite a strong passion, slowing briefly in order to gain more momentum, as it sweeps furiously to its goal, invading and extremely intense, the ferocity continues with tighter than tight exceptional guitar and inflamed vocal rasp!

At Fever Pitch – I reached that moment on listening to the second track! This has a chug effect rhythm that is not only energetic but addictive and catchy and an epic track of extreme accomplished teasing and unrestrained passion that will ignite a pit within seconds!

Speeding into action with forcing and driving strength, as the solid hammer-like beats cascade through a harsh throaty growl with temptingly seductive guitar that involves the fastest of fingers – this is *Radiation Breath proving a highly immense listen.

*Sinners Repent another delicious masterpiece begins its onslaught on the aural cavity with a chugging effect, rhythmic explosion, as the poisonous breath of growling rasps can be heard to a brutal bass line.  The unity of the band is prevalent as each member works 100% to concoct a deadly and savage formula of gnarly intent and does so to within an inch of their lives, as this juggernaut has no intention of stopping its assault of melodic, hypnotic and magnificent force on to the listener.

To Sum up:

Abrasive with grazing guttural growls and superb monumental guitars this album will wake the dead! It explores rhythms and melodies like a highly trained surgeon with a scalpel, but not as clean with the knife, this band will brutally savage the aural with a finely tuned note! Each track is carved in such a way that it not only sounds appealing – it IS appealing!  It is confrontational too, and boldly rips the flesh from the bones with sheer and utter abandon, whipping up a frenzy as it goes! The highly mesmerising rhythms are just immense and ripe for up and down and circular head moving moments!

To the downright extreme, but well balanced moments of melodic wash it stands its ground and comes out fighting! It not only niggles but antagonises with cruel intent as the beats gnaw constantly on the aural and elevate you to newer heights of awareness.

Compelling, powerful, brutal and unpredictable this is one album that deserves further investigation – Do it!

10+/10

Track List:

The Reckoning

Storm before Calm

Forsaken Graves

Dungeon

Apocalyptic Aftermath

As Nature turns Evil (The sleeper awakes)

Miasma

At Fever Pitch

Radiation Breath

Sinners Repent

Members:

Oscar – Bass

Ralph – Vocals

Vincent – Guitars

Teun – Guitars

Bastian – Drums

*Special Guest: Rogier Van Den Weiden – Vocals on tracks 4, 7 and 10

Digicore - More than just an Ape - 11 Track Album - Armalyte Industries - To be released 12th August 2013

Digicore

More than just an Ape

11 Track Album

Armalyte Industries

To be released 12^th August 2013

Out 12th August 2013

Written for www.Graveconcernsezine.com

Digicore – York, UK

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/digicoremusic

Genre: CyberPunk

In the bands own words:

“Almost two years in the making, ‘More Than Just an Ape’ documents the next stage in Digicore’s evolution. Continuing their obsession with the influence of the digital age on the human condition, ‘…Ape’ combines cutting edge electronica with a more refined approach to song writing. Where once chaos reigned amidst the furious digital hard core of their ‘Without Freedom’ debut, now the emphasis is on bludgeoning riffs and melody.

Fronted by producer Danny Carnage, who is joined by bassist Matt Bastard and drummer Cell, Digicore’s early ‘…Ape’ sessions saw an overhaul in the band’s signature sound, as they attempted to reconciled their more sophisticated approach to intensity whilst remaining true to their punk roots. What followed saw Digicore further embrace the technology at their disposal whilst simultaneously attempting to reclaim their humanity, primarily though the decision to drastically amend Carnage’s vocal style. No longer restricted by having to hide behind a feral roar, Carnage’s cleaner vocals now allow for a truer sense of the corporeal, adding a dynamic edge to the explosive sonic assault, a sound that repurposes the beats of Dubstep, Techno, Gabba and Drum ‘n’ Bass to their own end.

Since winning the Barfly’s prestigious ‘Battle of the Bands’ competition way back in 2005, Digicore have since played hundreds of incendiary gigs around the UK and are already confirmed for the Alt-Fest festival in 2014”

And yet another genre Cyberpunk, the genres keep coming and bringing with them more interesting music for sure.

Digicore have that hard edge of punk with more than a scraping of Cyber, dub step and techno all encased within a punk theme and come up with this unusual sound that houses digital keyboard and programming as well as guitars which gives it imaginative enterprise.  I am used to the more raucous vocal that cyber brings but I don’t think it would work in Digicore’s case as they would lose their punk element, although there are slightly softer moments incorporated into their hard edge sound, but safe to say the synth sounds drive an interesting hypnotic stance that’s quite exciting and wins through on its own merits.

‘In to Ruin’ is a sombre opening with thought provoking lyrics that lie on a bubbling under tone of hypnotic rhythms and quite an invigorating track with its keyboard sounds just hinting that they are there in the background and a superb opening track with a lot going on.

‘You are not like me’ has a shrill guitar sound attached to it as it boldly surges into existence amid a bubbling rhythm of synth and possesses that shock effect which is a good wake-up call for the listener if they think Digicore is just a one trip pony – think again!

‘Disconnected’ is soaked in distortion and a heavy electric guitar that makes a statement and demands attention with a smattering of dub step rhythm that compliments it superbly.

The next track possesses an effervescence of unmerciful sounds that go straight for the jugular and bite hard! I suppose that is why it is called ‘The Great Devourer’ the seductiveness from the scintillating notes leave a chill in the air as it ravishes the senses.

Sinister and edgy is the next track ‘I will not be afraid’ possessing an almost teasing rhythm of hypnotic synth and electric guitar to muted beats and a clean vocal that is sung in a softer more whispered tone and leaves its mark.

Hell on Earth houses some unusual bubble and squeak synthetic tones that are striking, daring to be bold in delivery and hungry for attention.

One of my favourite tracks from this album has so far been ‘Not one of us’ for its rebellious rhythms and catchy synchronization, although the ending suddenly is cut short for what reason I have no idea, which is a shame.

‘I don’t belong here’ is a mix of strange complicated noises that build up into an array of prowling, predatory aural toxicity that boasts a niggling urgency.

The brooding ‘Flesh is Weakness’ is a track that is not only remarkably dark it also houses a lot of temptation in its structures that start off bubbling under the surface and then simply explodes into a harsh expression of toxic sultry power and leaves the listener quite bewildered but again it finishes suddenly just as you are getting into it.

‘I hate what I have become’ literally sparks an explosion of hypnotic fast notes that then turn more sinister and demands attention.  It levels out with a soft clean vocal that ripples over a muscular synthetic sound.

The final track that is also the title track ‘More than just an ape’ bristles with engaging tones and is quite intriguing whilst the vocals are captivating and absorbing.

Seeing Digicore’s name alongside Petrol Bastard who are supporting Digicore for their official release show and one of my all-time favourite bands – (but don’t tell them – as they think I think they are shit!) (Takes place 10th August at Electrowerkz, 7 Torrens St, London)

http://www.fatsoma.com/events/89444/ for their album launch) But saying that it brought a smile to face I can tell you, although sadly I will not be in attendance, but I am sure it will be a superb event so don’t miss it if you are in the area.

To Sum up:

It wouldn’t win any awards as a dance album but it may do for its unique tendency to bristle with an unusual taste for dub step and hypnotic rhythm that slices through the aural with a magnified intensity. Vocally engaging going from a mere whisper at times to a harsher edge and suiting each track superbly well, it holds a captivation that is compelling in its own right and can be a little to the extreme in places that gives it an urgent feel.

Quite a mind blowing album with plenty to get your head around although on the downside it has a tendency to pull more towards a sombre listen so if you are feeling a little fragile could send you right over the edge! I still however, find the album interesting.

8/10

Track List:

In to Ruin

You are not like me

Disconnected

The Great Devourer

I will not be afraid

Hell on Earth

Not one of us

I don’t belong here

Flesh is weakness

I hate what I have become

More than just an ape

Members:

Danny Carnage - Vocals, Guitars and Programming,

Matt Bastard – Bass

Cell - Drums

Spawn of Psychosis - Mind over Mania - 4 Track E.P - Dredge Records - Released 21st June 2013

Spawn of Psychosis

Mind over Mania

4 Track EP

Dredge Records

Released 21^st June 2013

Out now!

Spawn of Psychosis – Maidstone Kent

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Spawn-of-Psychosis

Buy the EP here:

http://spawnofpsychosis.com/#/shop/4561189298

Genre: Punk/Metal/Industrial

After a gap formed between the bands full length releases Spawn of Psychosis, (after certain members of the band found themselves going through some personal issues) decided to put their experiences together and came up with this 4 track EP, which seemed like the obvious thing to do – (although to musicians music is never far away from their thoughts!) and to donate the proceeds to MIND.

The faceless band members appear on this cleverly thought out concept E.P which is chilling in itself and the title ‘Mind over Mania’ certainly points right where it is supposed to point.

We all go through various issues throughout life and what better way to come together, produce music and donate money to a good cause? Some of the best stuff has been written under heavily influenced dark thoughts so here goes...

First Session

The feeling I personally get here is the feeling of reluctance, pain and anguish.  The digging, and the festering mess it leaves behind.  It is only a short track but indeed very powerful and certainly sends chills down your spine.

Coffin Light

Heavy vibes dominate this track.  The imagery is compelling as is the music that stands out as urgent and uncompromising. The keyboards here are superb and really give the track bounce and something to relish.  I can actually feel knots in my stomach as it twists and turns into a brooding landscape of bristling intensity. The track is intrusive, compelling in delivery and explores a dramatic fast pace almost jagged hard edged groove that in turn give out a rich seduction of mesmeric beats.

Therapeutic Care

This track broods in a different way, bubbling immensely, and has Sabbathesque vibes – always a winner for me. It really gets into your head with further emotion despite its stunted appeal. Provoking its mental situations with a shadowing temptation of samples that really niggle deeply and profoundly. Emotionally enticing with an addictive flavour. The riffs of energy bubble overwhelmingly into a devouring confrontation.

Asylum Nursery Rhyme

Quite impacting in an eerie sense of dark intensity. The sounds provoking and numbing, chilling even, richly inspiring dark profound thoughts. This is quite a mind-bending experience with distorted vocal that sound chaotic and brooding with well put together samples and a heavy vibe not far away for it all to ride upon.

To Sum up:

Quite a doom laden EP that provokes deep black thoughts and brings it all to the forefront.  Issues, however small, do exist and if we do something positive with them it can lift us from the festering darkness inside.

It does leave a very sour taste on the tongue as it fades out from its bird noises and sparse vocal like it has dredged up its darkest forebodings and put them on display for the world to see which of course is right.

It amazes me just what you can get out of music from listening to it with intensity and focus.

If you are in the same frame of mind as the musician, you can get more from a genre, the chunky riffs are still there with urgent keyboards sounds but add in that ‘personal issue’ and it takes on a whole new meaning, even more so when you add your own intake it can take on a whole new persona.

I think what Spawn of Psychosis have done here is superb, and very brave incorporating intricate details of their fragile mind sets and adding the important ingredient that brings it all to life, which is music of course and in the process raising awareness and money for MIND which is a fantastic cause!

Well done Guys! It has certainly sparked a few dark thoughts in my head right now!

9/10

Track List:

First Session

Coffin Light

Therapeutic Care

Asylum Nursery Rhyme

Members:

Dragg – Guitar/Backing Vocals

Spawn – Vocals, Drum Programming, Studio Guitar

Razorr – Bass Guitar, Drum Programming, Synth/FX

Little Panther - Beneath the Depths - Damp Old Man - Sclavinia - Renegade State - The Lomax - 30.06.13

Little Panther

Beneath the Depths – Damp Old Man – Sclavinia – Renegade State

The Lomax

30.6.13

     

Renegade State – Liverpool

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Renegade-State

Genre: Groove Metal

Old favourites Renegade State opened up Little Panther’s evening of entertainment and as ever were tight, uncompromising and full of life as each beat, riff and rhythm was rife with expectation and of course the RS special groove!

Renegade State

It is sad to think of Renegade without the amazing vocal of Mike Bradbury – in fact I do not want to think of it, as he heads off to Uni in September, but so glad the guys will carry on as they have a superb sound full of energy and are always good to experience live.

Mike

Getting the set list at the start of the gig I was so happy the band were going to play ‘Little Dark Lies’ my ultimate favourite from them, but sadly when it was time to play it realised it had been cut out of the set due to time restrictions L but I could (and have done) so many times previously, played that track over and over again – so much so the words come naturally to me now.

 Phil

 Joe

 Phil D

The Marvello - Tom

Renegade State are indeed a force to be reckoned with and no doubt will continue to grow and personally I hope Mike returns at some stage.

Superb guys, superb set and superb songs all made crystal with the sound expertise from Tim who is an amazing sound tech.

9/10

Set List:

Insidious

Ordained

Paradise Lost

Unsuspecting Victim

Judgement Day

The Pit

Members:

Tom Marvello-Carr – Guitar

Joe Pagan – Guitar

Phil Berrington – Bass

Phil Daw – Drums

Mike Bradbury - Vocals

******

Sclavinia – Liverpool

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/SCLAVINIA

Genre: Black Death Metal

Another favourite band of mine Sclavinia – Polish ‘deathmetallers’ with a hint of English, since Handlanger joined last year after Dan Lysek left. Their particular brand of metal always fires up the blood and leaves you wanting more, and this set was no exception.

Handlanger

Handlanger did not keep still the entire time, wandering backwards and forwards so much so that trying to get photographs were near on impossible! But despite the nerves the banter was rife and funny as he said “These guys have come all the way from Poland to do this gig!” Then he said “Nah, not really they come from Bootle, Norris Green and Kirby!” to a lot of laughing!

Volf

My main gripe was that Handlanger kept turning his back on the audience something that really niggles, especially with my hearing problem, a lot is missed and it is good to see the vocalist’s expressions as they portray their art, but sadly a lot of bands seem to do this, as do some bands when the vocalist speaks in between tracks the musicians sometimes play over them which is annoying and thankfully this did not happen last night with any of the bands so I was spared that frustration.

Neton

As always their set was full on, in your face, exciting to watch and experience as the crushing riffs and blast beats raged furiously in front of you.  With the added vocals from Handlanger and the nimble fingers of Spector who also growls amid chunky bass hooks from Volf and the superb battering rhythms from Neton what could you expect other than solid blackened death metal? and that is what you got, with the added banter that unfortunately fell a bit flat at times due to there not being a hungry crowd of metallers in attendance – but sadly, what we have come to expect now.

Spector

But despite the lack of bums on seats the band did an amazing set they should be proud of – can’t wait to see them live again – hopefully soon.

9/10

Setlist:

Grab the Sword,

Eastern Wind,

Master Twardowski,

Bazyliszek,

Carnal - Vader cover

Devil's Parade.

King the Apostate,

Husarian Demons

Members:

Handlanger - Vocals

Volf War Hammer - Bass

Specter – Guitar/Vocals

Neton - Drums and Percussion

******

Damp Old Man - Liverpool

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Damp-Old-Man

URAbell Records

Genre: Extreme Metal

After a sneak preview of the band beforehand I was completely taken with their face melting style of unabated groove that just swept you along on a tidal wave of interesting twists and turns that were tighter than a ducks backside.

Matt

Extremely addictive, ‘EXTREME’ being the operative word here and raucous it fed the soul and immediately sparked interest to find out more about them.  Despite not playing for a year the band sounded crisp and new – although new to me, you could tell that the music really carried a lot of feeling and therefore very easy to nestle into.

Chris - W

Each track had that element of bite and tension that in turn fuelled the want to hear more. Strange that to look at they look like a grunge band but looks are deceptive especially in D.O.M’s case. They really hit the nail on the head and produced a set anyone could be proud of.

Chris

Also it worth noting that Phil, the bands drummer does an absolutely fantastic job of doing the gnarliest of vocals whilst sitting behind his kit hitting the skins with fine precision was truly amazing to experience on this level. His vocals blended perfectly to Matt’s unyielding vocal and therefore giving the tracks more profound edge.

Multi Talented Phil!

Definitely worth looking into if you have not heard them before, but shame on you for not going and seeing them live last night as you missed a superb set.

10/10

Set List:

Raptor

Metal Shark

Krakatoa

Sky Chops

Predator

Aimar

Members

Chris Corfield - Guitar

Chris Warburton - Bass

Phil Dolan - Drums

Matt Haycox - Vocals

******

Beneath The Depths

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/beneaththedepthsUK

Genre: Hard Core/Metal Core

In the bands own words:

“Instrumentally heavily influenced by Bring Me the Horizon, Of Mice & Men, Woe, Is me & the Word Alive. Lyrically, the inspiration comes from everyday life. Situations and feeling towards certain things are what influence their lyrics. Vocals inspired by Oli Sykes, Caleb Shomo, Austin Carlisle, Mitch Lucker & Tyler "Telle" Smith”

Beneath the Depths

The youngest band to headline the gig, with fringes all in place the metal core onslaught began. The band sprung to life jumping around the stage and wiping their feet on the carpet – I call it dance-core and still not perfected the art – and how the guys played with a guitars whilst doing that is quite a feat in itself, then again with my feet I am not surprised I lose balance, when I try!

Beneath the Depths

It is quite a familiar scene that most metal ‘corers’ look so skinny and all tend to look the same, although the vocals were particularly spectacular, that has to be said, as Lewis has a really fine set of lungs on him and used them to their full capacity, as his screams literally rocked the Lomax.

Again my gripe was that Lewis tended to sing with his back to the audience and it did slightly ruin the experience somewhat, but I know how hard it is to get on a stage and sing/play to onlookers – it is never an easy thing and yet many bands do it, so hats off to them, but all you need to do is put yourself in their place and instantly you can feel that knot in your stomach as the first riff hits, but nerves are something I don’t think Beneath the Depths had – at least not at last night’s gig.

Lewis

They did experience some technical problems which left a bit of a gap and the few people there wandered out of the room – maybe thinking their set was over, however, it was only a minor glitch and was soon put right by the expertise of Tim and the band went on to finish their aggressive set with a vengeance.

 Beneath the Depths

Beneath the Depths

Definitely a good set though and they all put so much into it.

8/10

Set List:

Beneath The Depths       

Intro

Perseverance

Downfall

You Lost the Battle & the War

Consequence

The Dead Sea

Wolfpack

Members:

Lewis Jones - Vocals

Jordan Clein - Bass

James Harrison - Guitar

Danny Jones - Guitar

Callum Thoms - Drums

**Special thanks to Paula Stewart from Little Panther who despite bands dropping out of the gig managed to pull together 4 class acts all very different but all with that full on metal vibe, that in turn made the event thrilling to witness. Thanks to Tim for the superb sound and Kath for being a good ear! Thanks to Chris Ryan for the batteries and the photographic tips! I could learn a lot from that guy :D and last but not least to Renegade State, Sclavinia, Damp Old Man and Beneath the Depths for such great sets that were a pleasure to review.

 Paula

Kath