Shabhoc Music and Media in Association with
Merseyside Metal Madness
Impasse upon Fate, Reperium, Elephantom, Caligula,
Animus and Shatter the Skies
Head of Steam
20.9.13
Overview:
This was the second Shabhoc event and not a good
start being over sixty minutes late but - I have to say that on the
other hand it was unnoticeable as time barely seemed to exist! The Head of
Steam was awash with people and I hoped that everyone would be able to stay
until the end of the gig and being right on top of Lime Street Station it was not
far for people to travel to, to get home, so another plus point, and the place
was packed more or less right up to the end which was great to see. A huge plus point was the fact that the bands had a 45 minute slot other than the usual 30 minutes so much more to enjoy!!
Shatter the
Skies – Liverpool on Stage 6.30
Links:
https://www.facebook.com/shattertheskies1
Genre:
Metalcore
Discography:
First EP 'Tears
through Blinded Eyes', featuring 'This Place', 'Queen Of Hearts', 'Serenity',
'Sorgasm' and bonus track, 'Necromancy' out 23rd June 2012.
Biography
Founded in
November 2010 - Liverpool Uni Band Society gathered Shatter the Skies from orphanages across the world when they were
no more than infants. The boys grew into men, as boys do, and honed their
skills over years of brutal, Batmanesque training. They were unleashed upon the
world in 2010, and have been travelling the land dispensing badassery ever
since.
Shatter the Skies was first up on the narrow
stage at Head of Steam flanked by some ominous windows and of course it was
still light outside, but Shatter the Skies brought a different kind of ‘light’
into Head of Steam with their diversity.
Dan the band’s
vocals also played Cello and straight away it reminded me of a poor man’s
Apocalyptica, however, Dan did not play the Cello all the way through but just
for the first track ‘Serenity’ which was outstanding.
Personally, I
would have liked to have heard more tracks featuring the Cello and Dan’s nimble
fingers, but it was not too bad as we got Dan’s nimble vocal chords instead! From
high pitched to downright scathing.
Half way
through the ‘romantic’ track the band suddenly turned into monsters and the
tempo surged frantically into a striking balance of harsh edge and then to
finish the Cello returned once more, but what a track!
Dan was
certainly the front man no mistaking that his Irish brogue, clear to hear along
with his highly flexible vocal chords although the transition from light to
dark was sometimes not as crisp, and I should imagine it is pretty difficult to
try, but the lilting tones held the audience steadfast as they ploughed through
the set.
Ollie’s guitar
work was superb and worked in well with Matt’s timely drumming and Stan’s edgy
bass as well as a lot of diverse mastery and baddassery. Just great to hear
something a little more different from the norm!
8½/10
Set List:
Serenity
Necromancy
[SORGAST RESPIRA]
Toxicity - System of a Down cover
Queen of Hearts
This Place
Generational Sins
Sorgasm
[SHAMAN]
Bodies – Drowning Pool
Members:
Dan Goss - Vocals, Cello
Oli Trouille - Guitar, Backing Vocals
Stan McDonald - Bass
Matt Franks – Drums
******
Animus – St
Helens On stage 7.30
Links:
Genre: Heavy
Rock/Metal
Just as you
thought it was safe to breathe on comes Animus
from my hometown of St Helens, who
certainly wasted no time in producing some memorable moments within the
confines of the ‘plank’ the Head of Steam call a stage, but at least the drum
kit was raised this time which did make a difference if only for the drummer!!
The music
although from time to time lilting and uplifting contained more than just a
hard edge and really held the audience captive as track after track brought
more savagery than dinner time with a cannibal!
Vocally harsh
and evil with the help of guitarist Tom and James on bass, these four guys made
enough noise for around forty people, but it was not just noise in there it was
catchy and immense too!
The sexy bass
hooks were sumptuous as on the track ‘You’ and Sue’s voice (Yes a boy named
Sue!) was stunning as it hit top as well as bottom notes. The atmosphere at
Head of Steam was intense and there was not a shortage of crowd onlookers which
added to the nights’ melee a great deal.
The most
distracting moment was thinking it was Chris James Ryan on drums (but we all know
it is not as Chris takes some of the finest of photo’s) whilst Tom belts out a
good rhythm.
In true style
the band clearly enjoyed performing their set just as we did receiving it.
9/10
Set List:
Sweet dreams
The List
Screaming for more
Treason
Taking you home
You
Lament
Dream
Hardest way down
Members:
Jordan Sue Kennie - Lead Vocals/Guitar
Tom 'Figgybo' Farrall - Backing Vocals/Guitar
James Hodson - Backing Vocals/Bass
Tom Davies – Drums
******
Caligula – Liverpool On stage 8.30
Links:
Genre: Insane
Heavy Rock
Not the best
set I have seen Caligula play it has
to be said, but these things happen – and no band can have all good gigs the
same as all bad.
There was a
certain spark missing from the set and even the band felt it, however, I know
it was only a one off as seeing them perform at the Lomax a couple of months
ago they were vibrant and performed a strong and invigorating set.
The band have
now acquired a new lead guitarist in the form of Phill Aindow who replaces Roth
Shred and Phill’s playing did NOT go unnoticed it has to be said and sad that
Phill did not get his chance to shine outright, but maybe it was the acoustics
of Head of Steam or just the band experienced an off day is hard to determine
but don’t let this performance fool you into anything Caligula are still a hard hitting act with many a memorable track like ‘To hell with this’ and ‘Juggernaut’
I think the
band should play again at the next Shabhoc/Mersey Metal Madness event and that
way they all get a chance to parade their abilities once again and hopefully in
better circumstances.
6/10
Set List:
Dog's Life
Kamikaze
Sylvanas (Forsaken)
To Hell with this
Devil's mile
14
Juggernaut
Edge of Forever
Members:
Phill Aindow – Lead Guitar
Terry Natteroy - Guitar/Vocals
Brian Jones - Bass/Vocals
Mike Fleming – Drums
******
Elephantom –
Liverpool On stage 9.30
Links:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100004331702906
Genre:
Progressive Metal
Al the bands
vocals spoke to me before the set and informed me he had been suffering with
glandular fever and had only just got back to work, so I was a little
apprehensive whether he would be able to exert enough energy for the set but I
need not have worried!
After seeing Arkaidence several times and seeing
them morph into Elephantom I knew
what lay ahead, but I had no idea what was about to materialize in front of my
eyes, until the first track began and I can truly say that after the first
track I was just engrossed.
The sound was
set, the intro started and one by one the masked suited Elephantom members took center stage...
These suited
and booted progressive metal heads were note perfect, well balanced and
engaging. The set was intense as it was immense and the best I have ever seen Elephantom play, in fact I did not want
them to stop. Al’s vocals have in the past suffered slightly, but last night
they found their ground and delivered with absolute gusto!
The band have
replaced their old bassist with the debonair Marty Benn who really added that extra
spark that was so badly needed and the other members responded to him, it was a
sheer joy to watch them perform – absolutely outstanding!
I could not pick
out a favourite track at all they all were superb and although as the band were
about to perform their last track technical difficulties reared their ugly head
as the bass just went off and the dreaded feedback started, but despite this
little setback Marty still pulled it off and the band went on to literally
smash the set finishing with ‘Parallax’ although why no help was forthcoming
from the sound guy – whoever he was – was a little alarming!
No matter
though – this set will be spoken about for a long time to come – so well done
guys!! You smashed it!
10/10
Set List:
Crossing the Threshold
Longbird
Monuments of Treason
Cochise
Anothers Eyes
Parallax
Members:
Marty Benn – Bass
Al Nolan – Vocals
Pete Roper – Drums
Michael Threlfall - Vocals/Guitar
Pete Roper - Drums
******
Reperium –
Liverpool On stage 10.30
Links:
Genre: Progressive
Metal
I already got
my wrists slapped from Ant for pronouncing the band name wrong and I had been
saying it right up until the point of actually talking to Ant, d’oh! It’s Reperium not Repeerium - lessons truly
learned!!
Reperium is gaining a lot of interest and hardly
surprising really as they have gone from glam in Sick Circus to heavy progressive
with Reperium and nice guys to boot!
Since hearing ‘Deterioration’
the band’s first ever single release I knew they had something special. The
opening chords of that track haunt me to this day and always good to hear it
played live and Mike assured me they were always going to play it – cue one
happy Pagan!
With six
members in the band I was amazed they fitted on the tiny stage – well Mike and
Tom remained in front of the stage but they all certainly wowed the audience
with their antics of deep growling and death defying screams.
Tom claimed he
was going to blow the speakers although I was glad he didn't as there was more
than enough technical difficulties for one night! The band’s intro is just
hilarious and now people actually listen out for that as it has become the
bands trade mark if you like.
The progression
with Reperium has been a quick one
with their tracks being solid and uncompromising – a true listening and
watching experience as Mike and Tom scream and growl at the crowd with intimidation,
whilst Lee, Ant and the two Danny’s nonchalantly guided the flow of music, but
behind the growls and mayhem there lies top guys who are clearly gifted
musicians.
All their hard
work giving up going out boozing and getting their heads down to produce some
really superb tracks has not been in vein.
Due to the
event starting late the band fell victim to having to cut one of their tracks
from the set which was disappointing, and on all accounts due to Impasse upon Fate’s drummer Ant, as he
wanted to get home! But Reperium
took it on the chin like true professionals.
The crowd were
bouncing off the walls to their tracks and the atmosphere was boosted by a
magnitude of decibels – another awesome set to hand over to headliners Impasse upon Fate.
9½/10
Set List:
Kenny Lad Chronicles.
New Cali
Galaxies
Blood Money.
Deterioration.
Members:
Mike Lothario - Vocals
Tom Staunton - Vocals
Antony Lothario - Guitar
Danny 'Charles' Skarratts - Guitar
Lee Carmichael - Bass
Danny Barnes – Drums
******
Impasse upon
Fate – Liverpool on stage 11.30
Links:
Genre:
Metalcore
Not heard this
band before but was pleasantly surprised at the way they came across despite
their young ages and young crowd.
James gave a
shout out to Lee from Reperium and dedicated
their track ‘I am your God’ to him which was a nice touch. There certainly was
no let-up in energy as not only the band were fired up but the crowd were too.
There was a bit
of moshing as you would expect and it seemed that the crazier a band goes on
stage the more it incites the audience to participate in floor antics and this
was one such time.
The band really
had the crowd eating from their hands with this performance, as I presume with
all of their performances...
‘Torn Apart’
was highly charged and just the name suggests total carnage and that’s what you
got in abundance with these guys, but what an absolutely fantastic end to a
metal infested evening!
9/10
Set List:
Intro
Infernal Creature
Starting over
We shall fight
I am your God
Torn apart
No Fucks
Rise
The Fallen Kingdom
Members:
James Langton: Lead Vocals
Jack Murphy: Bass
Anthony Longworth: Drums
Lewis Sanderson: Guitar
Callum Cavanagh: Guitar/Backing Vocals
**Special thanks to Mike Fleming from Shabhoc
Music and Media and Chris Simpson from
Mersey Metal Madness for putting on
a truly superb nights entertainment. Ganikah
Brown and Josh Green for their
valued friendship and to all the bands who made the night something special – Shatter the Skies – Animus – Caligula –
Elephantom – Reperium – and Impasse
upon Fate – Roll on the next one hopefully in a month’s time, which will
give us time to recharge our batteries for the next onslaught of metal mayhem
and madness! Looking forward to seeing the group photo of myself and the wonderful Caligula... X Rated!!
The awesome Gani
Josh Chillin'
Me - Pagan
