Scare Tactics – Grind Horizon – Lazarus Syndrome –
Elephantom
Lomax
4.10.13
Overview:
Well how could
I not go to this event – four of my favourite Liverpool bands all playing at
the Lomax – no brainer! Everything ran smoothly time-wise, the sound was superb
and the atmosphere was vibrant thanks to a big turnout of metal heads!!
This gig was
hosted by the wonderful Scare Tactics and
I hope they continue to put on events in the future. There was a prize raffle,
crisps and peanuts plus free merch from the bands CD’s, stickers, key-rings and
badges and they were going like hot cakes.
Elephantom –
Liverpool – 8.00pm
Links:
Genre: Progressive
Metal
After Elephantom’s terrific set at Shabhoc 20.9.13 I really wanted to see
these guys again, so was over the moon they were playing and again they did not
disappoint.
Mike and Al
Mike and Ropey
Al and Marti
Al and Marti
Mike and Ropey
Mike
As mentioned to
Mike and ‘Ropey’ the once and now very much in the past Arkaidence, were simply
an average band, but since gaining Marty and now under the guise of Elephantom plus gas masks as their trademark, they have left ‘average’
behind and become a really strong and powerful act.
The band all
looked happy and content to be on stage and worked well together and more
importantly it showed in their music, as they pumped out some of the most intricate
sounds that literally compelled you to watch and listen.
Mike’s deft
finger work on the frets was spellbinding I have to say and great witnessing
the set all over again.
Al, the band’s
vocalist has really found his ground now and hits top notes with ease, his face
contorted as it screamed out track after track of mesmerising lyrics – I really
can’t get enough of this band now and will look forward to seeing them play
again soon.
‘Parallax’ is
just one of those tracks that you don’t want to end – absolutely amazing!
10/10
Set List:
Crossing the Threshold
Longbird
Monuments of Treason
Cochise
Another’s Eyes
Parallax
Members:
Marty Benn – Bass
Al Nolan – Vocals
Pete Roper – Drums
Michael Threlfall - Vocals/Guitar
******
Lazarus
Syndrome – Liverpool – 8.40pm
Links:
Genre: Melodic
Death Metal
Well, what can
I say...? Lazarus Syndrome – those two
words are guaranteed to send shivers of excitement down your spine and bring a
smile to your face!
Jamie and Pete
Mike and Tom
Jamie
The mighty Pete
Dave
Jamie, Mike and Pete
They are more
than a force to be reckoned with as track after track of melodic prowess comes
hurtling at you with sheer ferocity.
Playing all the
‘old’ tracks from their album Flatline what a performance!! It was just
stunning hearing ‘Forsaken’ and my favourite track ‘A Path less Travelled’ Pete
said he heard Cuzzy and I singing – well we couldn't not, to be honest - considering we play their music constantly and once you start you can’t stop!
Superb guitar
work from Jamie and Mike with Dave Larkin (Rain
May Fall) standing in and what a great job he did! Pete’s tremendous voice
filled the Lomax and between them all gave us something to remember for a long
time!
Let’s hope it
is not long before the next performance as Lazarus are my guilty pleasure and by
the looks on the faces around me is everyone else’s too!
Lazarus will be
going into the studio soon to record a new album – I wonder what delicacies
they are going to give to us next? Hard to believe they could top Flatline but
I am sure they will as there is no stopping Lazarus Syndrome.
Thank you for
the last two years of mesmerising melodic metal guys – here’s to more of the
same!
10/10
Set List:
Age of Darkness
Forsaken
Parasite
Indifference
A Path less Travelled
Blameless Creator
Members:
Peter Ford – Vocals
Jamie Hall - Guitars
Mike Hollows - Guitars
Dave Larkin - Drums
Tom Parker – Bass
******
Grind Horizon –
Liverpool – 9.20pm
Links:
Genre: Groove
Metal
Another two
words ‘Grind Horizon’ you know you
are going to get some quality grooves and tom foolery when they get on stage.
David the hair!
David, Marti and Dave
Jon
David
Dave
Marti
Dave the bands
long suffering vocalist who always seems to have problems keeping his trousers
up! Moved about the stage like a man possessed, along with David the bands
mountain of hair on guitar. Marti bashed out some amazing rhythms his face full
of concentration whilst Jon just does what he does best and smacks out some
good bass – although not without a slight hitch when his bass strap came
undone but kudos to Jon it did not faze him one bit and thanks to the quick
thinking of sound man Tim who came to the rescue with gaffer tape the band were
able to resume their set with no further hitches.
There is
something about Grind Horizon that
now cunjors up the word ‘gaffer tape’ since Dave’s use of it some time back!
‘Vortex’ ‘86’
and ‘Mastersun’ three of my personal favourites were just nailed and had the
crowd moving in every direction – hard not to really as the Grind are one of
those bands whose grooves get into your head and the body just simply reacts
and goes along with the flow.
Absolutely
superb set yet again! And thanks for the kiss during the set Dave – made me
smile :D
10/10
Set List:
Void
Leech
Vortex
86
Licentious
River
Mastersun
Members:
David Dixon - Vocals
Jon Orton - Bass
David Purcell - Guitar
Martin Boardman – Drums
******
Scare Tactics –
Liverpool – 10.00pm
Links:
Genre: Groove
Metal
Our hosts for
the evening and what a gig so far! Scare
Tactics are just loved beyond belief, they have a solid reputation and
admired by bands a far as well as by the fans who follow them, and a quote from
the mighty Pete of Lazarus Syndrome
stated ‘Scare Tactics asked us to
play, how could we refuse!’ Indeed, nobody could as Scary Tictacs are a family
orientated band and welcome most into their fold.
Stu
Paul
Andy
Andy
Paul
Danny
Danny
I can honestly
say I have never seen a bad set from them yet and been a staunch fan since
first seeing them at the Zanzi two nearly three years ago now.
Andy made me
laugh when he announced they were going to play ‘Left Hand Woman’ another
blistering track that you may recognise as ‘Right Hand Man’
The band are
entering a competition in Glasgow, I think next week and they were asked to
perform a cover and make it their own and the band decided to do ‘California
Love’ and I know a lot of metal-heads will not entertain the idea of rap but fook
me, Scare Tactics brought the house
down with their own blend of heavy combined rap it was just amazing – the crowd
responded noisily at the end so that said it all really.
‘Little Time’
was a new track, expertly executed and really catchy and finishing with
everyone’s favourite, mine included ‘Drunk Fuck’ which by now we all know the
chorus and again everyone responded positively, to what was a literally
superb belter of a night and to which Andy dedicated to me – that was special! X
The raffle was
done at the end of the night and Andy announced ‘As his poor brother Stu has to
sit behind a kit all night that he should pull the winning ticket from Paul’s
beanie hat... and Stu pulled out number 14... shame I had number 9, but as I
don’t drink the hard stuff was not really an issue – although if I had won I
would have donated the prize to Tim the sound engineer as he certainly deserved
more than a pat on the back for last night’s gig!
10/10
Set List:
Game of Thrones (cover)
Discover
False Power
Right Hand Man
Wrong but Righteous
California love (cover)
Little time (new one)
We live
Drunk fuck.
Members:
Andy Barker – Vocals/Lead Guitar
Stu Barker – Drums
Danny Williams – Bass
Paul Charnock – Rhythm Guitar
***Special mentions to Frank Hedges and his staff – especially
Kath Murphy for the friendly interaction
as always. Tim Baker and helper Anthony Gibbons (former drummer with
Kedollasha) for the excellent show of sound. My awesome Cuzzy Ian Laver for being the best Mosher
there! Kenny Powell from the now
sadly defunct Skyline Ablaze – good seeing you again. Geoff and Ann Barker, for
their continued support and hard work behind the scenes. Josh Carvell, Adam Kerbache and Anthony Bates from Thunderground
plus Chris Dixon. Louis Jackson Payne from Black Cat Bones whom I never got to
chat to chat to but good to see them out supporting other bands. Rain May Fall for the loan of their drummer, and to all the bands
who gave more than 100% at last night’s nights gig Elephantom, Lazarus Syndrome, Grind Horizon and Scare Tactics. Thank you for making my evening a very special one
indeed!
Ant and Tim
The show of
support from everyone literally shone last night and was a credit to all
involved. Honoured to be part of it!
