Hamerex, Kaine and Into the Abyss
10 Years of Madness
The Snooty Fox – Wakefield
16th August 2014
Kaine
– East Anglia
Links:
Genre: Heavy Metal
Missed “Into the Abyss” completely, still I sat through a whole hour
of staring at a screen that said offline just in case. Finally the live stream kicked
into action half way through “Iron Lady” and strange seeing four familiar faces
on a computer screen and even stranger head banging in my PJ’s with a cuppa in
one hand and a pen in the other, but stranger things have happened.
Kaine appeared just minutes before 9:00 pm on this their 100th gig
and Hamerex’s 10th year
Anniversary. The Snooty looked to be packed to capacity which was a good sign,
even though the figure for the actual live stream stated 4 and lowered to just
2 well before the night had ended. – Shame on the metal community, which is now
dwindling sadly.
Kaine were feisty as ever, spewing out ravenous grooves amid a few freeze
frames but are always entertaining to watch no matter!
Dan sung on two of the tracks “Solidarity” and “Champion” the first
Rage announced was as punishment for breaking a cable which meant him having to
go wireless – to laughter from the crowd. Dan did an amazing job despite a few
fade outs of sound, which was annoying but the picture quality was excellent!
Rage took over once again and now rubbing his head with a towel as
he was sweating more than a cow in a butcher’s shop. The banter was up-beat and
in keeping with the mood of the evening.
No matter how many times I see Kaine
or listen to their albums I don’t think I could ever retire from their
NWOBHM sound. It may have been done by Maiden and other bands of the 80’s but Kaine are doing a grand job keeping it
alive that is for sure!
Kaine have come such a long way since their arrival on the scene back in
2009 and are a determined force to be reckoned with. Nobody could work harder than these four guys
that is apparent!
Their latest album “The Waystone” is their best work to date and set
the benchmark well and truly high, selling out copies at their numerous gigs
and on line. Kaine love pushing
boundaries and I am sure will continue their onslaught for the next five years
and probably even longer – and here’s to them!
Members:
Rage Sadler - Rhythm Guitar/Lead Guitar/Vocals
Dan Mailer - Bass/Vocals
Anthony Murch - Lead Guitar/Backing Vocals
Chris MacKinnon - Drums
******
Hamerex – Wakefield
Links:
Genre: Heavy Metal
Hamerex hit the Snooty Fox stage at exactly 10:00 pm and it is with a certain
sadness as although the mood should be high being their 10th
Anniversary has been marred somewhat by the announcement that Chris Moules –
the bands long standing vocalist has decided to quit for pastures new, now leaving the
mighty Steve Blower at the helm of Hamerex.
The set tonight was based solely on what the fans of the band had
voted for which I thought personally was a nice touch to mark their momentous
occasion and they rattled off an array of old and newer tracks as Chris hung
perilously from the Snooty Fox light rig – something he did last year as well.
They played “Rites of Passage” which is a slow moody track that
finally breaks free of its mood changes and into a good strong melodic track. “Hypnotise”
was also a good chunky slab of melodic grooving along with “Nightmare” which is
a frenzied track and good for head banging!
The audience participation was meagre to say the least, with either
no comeback until pushed or odd grunts which was a bit off putting, but that is
the way of the audiences of today – completely “Lost their Mettle” no get up
and go – it all went! But no surprise there!
Steve was going to sing a track that they hadn’t ever played live before “Still
the wall Remains” on his acoustic guitar but sadly a string had bust, so he chucked
it on the floor in the direction of Chris and picked back up his faithful
electric guitar and took a seat left of stage and played it on his electric
guitar instead but Chris took over the vocals.
That track was all encompassing and uplifting and a track which I
really hope to hear live up close and personal, if at all possible at some point in the future.
Hamerex also played “Night of Samhain” an epic 11 minute track that is a
definite crowd pleaser with its catchy riffs and addictive tempo variations and
indeed well received by the audience at the Snooty tonight.
“Calling all Monsters” was melodically groove laden, not to mention
energetic.
At the end of the set Malc the owner and sound tech announced that
although Hamerex had gone over their
time by about ten minutes, but if they wanted to do an encore and the crowd
were willing – which they were - then to go for it – which of course they did
and played “So What” a cover track from the Anti-Nowhere League although made
famous by Metallica to finish off with.
And so that was that, the colourful Snooty Fox curtain came down on
ten whole years of Hamerex’s varied
career.
Who knows what Hamerex
will have up their sleeves for next year but you can be pretty sure it is going
to be something very interesting with
Steve on vocals and guitar, unless of
course they decide to get in another vocalist? Only time will tell!
Good luck to Chris with his new endeavours!
Good luck to Chris with his new endeavours!
Members:
Chris Moules - Vocals
Steve Blower - Guitar & Vocals
Andy Firth - Bass
Darren Kelsall – Drums
Thanks to Malc at the
Snooty Fox and of course to Kaine
and Hamerex for some entertaining
sets this evening - and apologies for not getting the chance to see “Into the Abyss” due to the late start
on the Live Stream – I was willing, watching and waiting all to no avail sadly.
