Rampage II
Featuring: Exiled, Reaper, RamRaid – Fallen Sons, &
Novacrow
The Zanzibar
8.11.13
Overview:
Decrepit Monolith did not play at
the Rampage II event due to some mix
up over equipment. However the five bands that did play, were engaging, diverse
and entertaining until the very last note.
Danny really came good with this line-up, firing
up proceedings were the mighty Exiled and
finishing with the heartfelt Novacrow with
plenty in-between to satisfy the rampant hunger!
Exiled –
Liverpool
Links:
https://www.facebook.com/exiledliverpool/info
Genre: Thrash
A four piece
thrash metal band be sure not to miss!
For fans of: Evile, Slayer, Savage Messiah.
I was really ecstatic
to witness Exiled’s debut gig at the
Lomax for the Spinebreaker event
26.10.13 and seeing them live again last night, I realised, just how strong
this band has become in just two measly weeks!!
Almost
immediately as the music began Liam, Ant, Titch and Pete sat in a line on the
floor directly in front of the stage and conducted an array of moshing with a
difference – at least that way no-one was injured!
From the top: Titch, Liam, Pete and Ant
There was no
lack of energy or enthusiasm from Exiled
and they did exactly what they
said on the label, giving us all a gig to remember with their stunning
performance last night. From the immense start to the dynamic finish cascading
powerful fascination engulfed the crowd.
Joe and Sam
Joe
Sam
Sam and John
Liam
Joe, Sam and John
Everything was
as tight as it could be. Pumping out track after track of unbridled passion
that literally consumed the crowd goers was brilliant to see and hear.
Callum from Fallen Sons remarked on just how well
established Sam’s voice was and how it came across last night and nobody could
take that away from Sam at all. Liam fired on all cylinders with his drumming expertise
and Joe’s guitar shredding was just amazing to witness, whilst John’s bass
literally kicked ass!
This foursome
are a complete nuclear holocaust!! Thrashtastic till the end and spurred on by Reaper – this band cannot fail! They just need to work on some more original
material and then there will be no stopping them whatsoever!
Really
outstanding performance! Well done guys looking forward to the next gig.
9½/10
Set List:
Nuclear Holocaust
Piranha – Exodus Cover
Hook in Mouth – Megadeth Cover
Price of War
Mandatory Suicide – Slayer Cover
Execution Order
Members:
Sam Robinson - Lead Vocals & Rhythm Guitar
Joe Bradley - Lead Guitar
John Riley - Bass Guitar & Backing Vocals
Liam Robshaw - Drums
******
Reaper –
Liverpool
Links:
Genre: Thrash
Thrash metal
band from Liverpool are assaulting the stage again be sure not to miss these
guys! For fans of: Angel Witch,
Overkill, and Diamond Head.
Danny, Ant and Titch
Danny and Titch
Danny and Ant
Ant
Pete
Ant
Ant
Reaper are just jaw droopingly excellent on
stage. Anthony Dalton the blue eyed,
long blond haired guitarist is compelling to watch as he brings out the
absolute best from his guitar, whilst Danny, who has more energy than the
national grid really stoked the audience with his banter in between tracks.
It was clear to
see that Reaper commanded the stage
last night and had the crowd eating out of their hands and in doing so, in sighted
the dreaded mosh pit to form, be it only briefly, but none the less with band
and audience stoked it would be difficult not to have enjoyed their
performance.
Danny’s voice
cracked during their rendition of Iron Maiden’s ‘The Trooper’ but made a swift
recovery saying “Oh my voice just went completely but I am handing it over to
you!” (Meaning the audience) and we didn’t care either as everyone just took
over singing the track – giving Danny time to regain his strength to continue. That’s
showbiz!
Pete – the band’s
sticks really knocked out a stunning performance on the kit, clearly enjoying
the savagery that was unfolding as track after track the band just lapped up
the attention from the crowd as bodies hurtled towards each other in a grand
pile up!
Another great
performance by Reaper
9/10
Set List:
Checkmate
The Trooper (Iron Maiden)
Area 51
World at Redemption
Wings of Darkness
Sixth Circle of Hell
Members:
Daniel Moran - Rhythm Guitar/Vocals
Anthony Dalton - Lead Guitar/Backing Vocals
Peter Cattle - Drums
Matthew “Titch” Pruden - Bass
******
RamRaid –
Liverpool
Links:
https://www.facebook.com/RamRaidUK
Genre: Thrash
Liverpool thrashers return to destroy the stage at the Zanzibar club.
For fans of: Testament, Anthrax, and Sodom.
Paul and Ben
Ben
Paul, Ben and Dom
Dom and Oscar
Paul and Ben
James, Paul, Scott, Ben and Sam
Paul, Scott and Ben
Changing their
set list somewhat this time around had me well and truly flummoxed as I thought
RamRaid were not going to play ‘Into
Annihilation’ my favourite track, but happy that at the start of the fourth
track Ben announced it making me very relieved indeed.
It wasn’t the strongest
of sets it has to be said as it sounded somewhat rushed in places – and yes I
know its thrash! but somehow, a bit of the usual RamRaid magic had disintegrated, however when Ben announced the
Sepultra cover Arise, there seemed to be more people on stage than off it, as
hair started to fly – I felt very vulnerable being at the front of the stage
with Ant Dalton as I watched the fracas unfold.
Scott Clayton (Bludvera) one of the eager participants
who had joined the horde onstage, his face contorted with every riff, joined in
the chorus, whilst the rest of the crew had their heads down and were feeding
off the powerful riffs, so expect this to happen when RamRaid play this track live again.
Oscar gave a
really strong performance on guitar last night and has well and truly made his
mark in the band now.
As I type this the
band are now in the studio recording the first track for their EP – so stay
tuned!
8/10
Set List:
Systematic Genocide
RamRaid
Arise – Sepultra Cover
Into Annihilation
Reactor 4
Murder in the Embassy
Members:
Ben Gannon - Lead Guitar/Vocals
Paul Hutton - Bass Guitar
Dominic Williams – Drums
Oscar Fitzpatrick - Guitar
******
Fallen Sons –
Liverpool
Links:
https://www.facebook.com/FallenSonsUk
Genre: Groove Metal/Technical
Metal
A Liverpool
based metal band, creating original material. For fans of: Rammstein, Lamb of God,
and Pantera.
Alex, Callum, Sam and Tony
Lee, Callum, Sam and Tony
Alex with orb!
Callum and Sam
Tony
Callum
Callum
Alex, Callum, Sam and Tony
Sam and Tony
This was Fallen Sons second gig like Exiled and Novacrow. I counted myself very lucky to have seen their debut also
at the Zanzibar 23.8.13.
Like Exiled, Fallen Sons have dramatically
upped their game, with biting grooves and euphoric riffs. Pat the
resident sound tech at the Zanzi said to me after their set and I quote “You do
the same for every band, but there is always one that shines and that is them!”
and I couldn’t have agreed more.
The blistering
onslaught was magical, deeper than a ravine, more bite than a hungry crocodile
that was ‘Fallen Sons’ during their performance
last night, it was rousingly epic! With a welcome thrust in the face and
seriously addictive grooves!
Alex the bands
skillful drummer spoke to me yesterday saying that he isn’t a typical metal
drummer and has a leaning towards the jazz stuff! Now I know why his drumming
stood out when he was behind the kit with Bring the Rain. (Not that I am a lover
of jazz what so ever, but I noticed the unusual style Alex maintained) and it certainly
isn’t run of the mill style of drumming at all but cleverly executed ‘off the
cuff’ timing and rhythm.
Fans of Fallen Sons got the band to squeeze one
more track into their set for an encore with shouts of ‘more’ and chanting the
band’s name – leaving the band slightly bemused.
Great
performance! Looking forward to the bands third outing, but check out the bands
6 track EP in the meantime – on sale at gigs or just contact the band for a
copy. Review will be up as soon as possible for the EP.
10/10
Set List:
Chaos – Doom Onion
Crucify
Switchblade
Infection
Feast for Crows
Fallen Sun
Members:
Callum Hughes – Vocals
Sam Cooper - Rhythm Guitar
Tony Mcloughlin – Bass
Lee Mulvaney - Lead Guitar
Alex Ashton - Drums
******
Novacrow – North
West/West Midlands
Links:
https://www.facebook.com/novacrowofficial
Genre: Hard
Rock
Female fronted hard rock band. Fresh meat on the Liverpool scene. For fans of: Alice in Chains, White Zombie, and
Skid Row.
John, Alex, Kitty and Freddy
John, Alex, Kitty and Freddy
Kitty
John and Alex
Alex and Kitty
Kitty
Alex
John
You couldn’t
help but notice Kitty last night as her brilliant red/blond/purple hair, cut
into stunning layers, made her a target for the eyes to be drawn to, although I
have to say my eyes were on Freddy the bands bassist, his shirt open and hair
flying – I seem to have been a little distracted!
Again this was
the third band of the evening who were performing their second gig – although, unlike
Exiled and Fallen Sons, I never witnessed Novacrow’s
debut outing.
Kitty’s distinct
voice was highly melodic, her black and white striped guitar slung around her
waist, she poured her heart and soul out to the waiting crowd, goading everyone
to move to the front of the stage and remarking she wanted to see the “whites
of their eyes.” And the crowd obeyed like they were hypnotised and rocked out
to the ridiculously addictive rhythms.
The music
brought to you by Novacrow held a
heavy swagger of melody that was mesmerising in its own right and oozed
resonating tones of firmly driven riffs which sadly brought the evening to a resounding
close.
9/10
Set List:
Nasty Piece of Work
Nasty Piece of Work
White Lies & Cigarettes
The bottom of the food chain
I don’t wanna be me – Type O Negative Cover
Black Syrup
Members:
Kitty – Vocals/Guitar
John - Guitar
Freddy – Bass/Backing Vocals
Alex - Drums
***Special mentions: To Danny Hell for putting on a superb and
diverse evening’s entertainment, Scott
Clayton, Matty Hughes and James Collins for supporting the event, Pat for the awesome sound, Tony, Totty and the bar staff. Paul for looking after us all at the
Zanzi, and to all the bands who
played tonight Exiled, Reaper, RamRaid,
Fallen Sons, and Novacrow.
Footnote:
It is worth
noting that if anyone uses taxis after gigs - Alpha now have a ‘hub’ in Duke Street. Warm, clean surroundings
where you can wait in comfort, have a cup of tea or coffee and read a magazine,
whilst the guy at the desk rings your taxi. It even has its own security guy.
Open until 2am, but if everyone who uses the service does the survey they will
think about extending the hours. Also worth noting is these Taxis are
reasonable and not extortionate like black cabs. Superb idea – now been open
for just 6 weeks – so make the most of it!
9-11 Duke Street, Liverpool L1 5AP
www.alpha-taxi.co.uk
0151 722 8888
