Devildriver - 13 Nov 2010 (The Forum)

Welcome to the crowd surfing and circle pit’s paradise! With a bill listing bands such as 36 Crazyfists and Devildriver you can be sure that the crowd will be amazingly crazy and aggressive. First on stage were 36 Crazyfists and I have to say that this guys know how to put up a great show. The band lifted up the crowd with an amazing energy on stage, especially by Brock Lindow(Vocals) who didn’t even hesitate at jumping inside the pit from the stage just to say hi to his friends down there. The band prepared an amazing set list that included tracks such as Slit Wrist Theory, Bloodwork or The Heart & the Shape. The crowd was amazing and the crowdsurfers didn’t stop for a second and so did the pits which were very aggressive and probably very fun too. I say probably because this time, being tortured by this cold that’s been haunting me for a week now, I decided not to join the pit and sit on the upper level of the Forum. On one hand I missed the intensity of the pits which looked awesome but on the other hand I got to witness all the frenzy that went through when Devildriver came on. What I saw from up there was something I haven’t seen in a while now. The crowd went absolutely mental for Devildriver. The band came up and ripped everything apart. They delivered songs from all Pray for Villains, The Last Kind Words and The Fury of our Maker’s Hand albums. Songs such as Clouds Over California or Forgiveness Is a Six Gun really made it for everybody. Dez Fafara(Vocals) seemed to have a great night and made sure to give a hand to all the crowdsurfers that made it to the security pit. I have to say that the last time that I saw so many crowdsurfers was probably at the Lamb of God gig last February where, according to Metal Hammer, there were 234 crowdsurfers coming over the barriers. I’m very interested in getting some numbers for this gig so if by any chance you get them just leave them in the comment section! Also one of the things that couldn’t be missing from a Devildriver gig is of course the massive circle pits. Despite the fact that the venue was packed and that the space was somehow limited, the pits did get quite big and aggressive and it was definitely very nice to watch them from above. Of course when you are Devildriver and you are playing London you have to play the song that is written about London so “let’s start a riot” and play Another Night in London. The song was amazing to be heard in this context and I’m sure that Dez, the crowd and everybody in the Forum did enjoy it a lot(maybe not the security guys). Overall a great gig and a message for the future: Do not miss the next Devildriver or 36 Crazyfists gig!

Devildriver: 19/20

36 Crazyfists: 19/20

Posted by Nick 

Amorphis - 11 Nov 2010 (Islington Academy)

As a few of you probably already know, last time Amorphis was in the UK was also the first time they were in the UK, and the only show that they had scheduled was in the Underworld in Camden, London. That particular show sold out a few weeks before the gig and people from all across the UK came to see it. This was not the case today. Having already played gigs in Manchester and Glasgow, tonight Amorphis faced a Londonian crowd that seemed to enjoy the gig till the last second. However I will be describing that later because before Amorphis two other bands made it to the stage. First to face the crowd was Ghost Brigade from Finland. I wasn’t particularly familiar with this band but I have to say that I liked what I heard and saw. This band has some great dark, gloomy vocals as well as nice growls. The melodic interchanges that happen during the songs are very interesting and it kind of reminds me of the early Anathema era. The atmospheric passages are very well executed and the feeling that the band gives toward the crowd is very strong. It sometimes reminded me of the My Dying Bride kind of atmosphere that you get at a MDB gig.  Towards the end of the set the energy that the guys were giving out was amazing and the crowd that was there, despite their little number, seemed to enjoy it.  Next on stage we had a completely different style of metal and a completely different culture too. Have you ever heard of Middle Eastern Heavy Metal? If yes: then well done. If no: shame on you. Not to worry though, Orphaned Land is here to teach you everything about it. The band came up with a good energy but the technical problems seemed to bring them down a bit. The band from Israel has some very strong influences from their traditional music and it does give a different colour to the whole thing since the wide use of the somehow oriental melodies and harmonies reminds you of the Middle East instantly. This can be quite a pleasant thing but it can also be very annoying if this is not your cup of tea...or pint of beer. Towards the end of the set the band overcame the technical problems and really managed to carry the whole academy with them which was very pleasant. And then it was time for the headliner of the night. As always Amorphis were atmospherically beautiful. The set list was composed from a few songs from Skyforger, such as My Sun and Skyforger, but also by tracks from albums from the Koskinen era such as Alone and My Kantele with My Kantele along with Silver Bride being performed during the encore. Tomi Joutsen(Vocals) really gave everything he could, despite the flu that was torturing him, and so did Tomi Koivusaari(Guitar) and the rest of the guys. The voice of Joutsen has many times been described as the best thing that ever happen to Amorphis and I think it might be true. Overall a classic performance by this amazing band, which I particularly enjoyed and I believe so did the crowd, which was awesome. The amazing thing about Amorphis’ crowd is that it is a very diverse crowd, which is kind of nice. I was particularly impressed by a man in his 60s'(not your average metalhead grandpa) wearing some sort of “suit jacket” on the front of the stage giving out everything he had and clearly loving it! Hopefully we’ll all be doing the same when we get to that age.

Amorphis: 19/20

Orphaned Land: 17/20

Ghost Brigade 17/20

Posted by Nick 

Jägermeister Tour - 9 Nov 2010 (Islington Academy)

First leg of this year’s Jägermeister Tour and the line up didn’t look too bad. First on the bill for the London show was Never Means Maybe. The band came up with a good energy but they were lacking that extra boost that they needed to smash the place up. Despite the lack of people in the venue the band did give out a nice show that to me sounded a bit like a Coheed & Cambria with heavier riffs and a touch of Soulfly. They had very nice musical passages and the clean vocals were very nice. The unclean vocals however lacked the energy and the volume. Generally a pleasant gig from this Essex band. Next on stage were The Defiled from London. Despite the crazy keyboards player which stole the show the rest of the band was not really giving out anything.  Some of the riffs reminded Slipknot and the beginning of the set was very “clumsy”. Towards the end of the set things started to get better but still they didn’t manage to draw the crowd towards them. The band members generally were not tight between them and that made them sound a bit un-professional. Generally I was not impressed by them. Up next were Exit Ten. When this band from Reading started playing the first thought I had was: System of a Down. I soon founded out that they had nothing to do with them. This band combines heavy/hardcore riffs with clean vocals and I have to say although it sounded a bit strange to me in the beginning it kind of works. The band came on stage with lots of confidence and energy and the crowd responded to their call with enthusiasm that they kept during the whole set. The vocals were very good and sometimes the singer even reminded me of Jim Morisson. The band will be recording their album after this tour so you might want to check it out. And to end the night the headline was Sylosis. Another Reading band that probably more of you know. Sylosis recently lost their vocalist when he left before the summer and Josh Middleton( Guitar & Vocals) took up the position. However knowing Sylosis with a vocalist it felt to me as the front man position was still empty. The band in general was good with a good energy and with mind blowing riffs. The band was extremely tight and it really made the riffs come out very well. The guitars in this band are amazing and the unison parts that they play sound really good while the lead parts are just brilliantly executed despite their technical difficulty. Sylosis is also releasing a new album very soon so if you are a fan of the band check it out because the samples we heard tonight were really good.

Sylosis: 17/20

Exit Ten: 17/20

The Defiled: 14/20

Never Means Maybe: 15/20 

Posted by Nick 

Job for a Cowboy - Whitechapel - 7 Nov 2010 (Dingwalls)

I have been looking forward to this gig, since last time I saw this bands they were occupying the support band’s spot and everybody knows that it is not the best spot to impress. Whitechapel came on first and the boost that they gave to the whole crowd was unbelievable. These guys are really getting better and better every time I see them. Despite the amp problems that Ben Savage(Guitar) had  the band kicked off with a lot of energy and The darkest day of man from the A new Era of Corruption album and then came in the headbangingly amazing Possession. Phil Bozeman(Vocals) was really good and really makes me think that he has one of the best brutal vocals out there. The set list was satisfying but I have to admit I was expecting more new material to be played. Songs like Devolver and End of Flesh for example. The set ended with the classic now This is Exile. Crowd wise it was f*cking brutal. The crowd just loved it. Due to the way things are set up in Dingwalls there were a hell lot of stage divers and crowd surfers. Some of them even visited the shoes of Ben Savage to give them a nice little kiss. Then came on Job for a Cowboy. I have to say that once again the guys failed to impress me. On the albums they sound amazingly brutal and heavy but somehow on the stage they are unable to deliver that feeling. They are missing the “ball-grabbing” factor. Despite that the crowd kept on going mental especially on songs such as Entombment of a Machine. Later on I even heard that some punches were delivered on stage. All jolly nice init mates? Overall: a satisfying gig but not impressive. The word is that Whitechapel is thinking to do a headlining tour in the UK and Europe some time next spring. I personally hope that it is true because a headlining Whitechapel is a good Whitechapel. Until then Job for a Cowboy and Whitechapel are still on tour in the UK and Europe so go out and check them out when they come near you!

Job for a Cowboy: 15/20

Whitechapel: 17/20

Posted by Nick

Neonfly - 5 Nov 2010 (Purple Turtle)

 UNSIGNED BAND

Neonfly was flying tonight at the Purple Turtle. The band went through a big change in the last few months when Tamás Csemez who used to hold the mic for Neonfly suddenly left the band and had to be replaced. Luckily Willy Norton(Vocals) stepped out of the shade and stood under the spotlight. And what a terrific job he did. If you are not familiar with Neonfly let me describe them for you: Get a Gojira loving drummer, two long haired riffers that are as tight as a virg...well...you know....and a dreadlock bass player that is better at circle headbanging than Corey Beaulieu. What do you get? POWER!!!! Neonfly is the perfect mix between melody, heavy and power! So obviously they needed a singer who could deliver all of that as well. Well Willy didn’t disappoint me at all. He delivered so well on stage that he gave to Neonfly a massive lift...a bit like the surgeons do to Mick Jagger’s face. The band was very tight and gave out an amazing energy. The Turtle was packed, since the line up for the evening was very attractive, and what a great opportunity to present the new singer to a wider Londonian crowd. Neonfly came on with an amazing energy and the riffs of Frederick Thunder(Guitar) filled the venue with a very pleasant heaviness! During the set the band presented some new songs, due to be recorded on the band’s first album some time in the beginning of next year, so keep an eye open for that. Towards the end of the set the ever so melodic Ship with No Sails and the new Star Trek fans anthem I think I saw a UFO where the ones to show how good the band is and concluded this great set. Neonfly is currently on tour with Freedom Call, across the UK. Check out their website for the full tour dates.

Neonfly: 8,5/10

Posted by Nick

Stone Sour - 19 Oct 2010 (Dingwalls)

The first European date for Stone Sour promoting their new album Audio Secrecy, before they head to Berlin to kick off the tour with Avenged Sevenfold and Hellyeah, and this gig sold out in just an hour after the tickets were released. Those familiar with Dingwalls will know that it is not a venue that bands with the reputation of Stone Sour usually play, but this time it was perfect. As expected the venue was packed. Corey Taylor (Vocals) really made the evening feel like a very private party with some very special guests. The gig was just overwhelming. The band kicked off with Mission Statement and went through with songs from all three albums that the band has released so far.  The new songs, in particular, got a very warm reception by the British public with massive sing-along on Say you’ll haunt me and Digital. The all so famous acoustic performance of Bother by Corey was perfectly performed both on vocals and guitar which makes me think that Corey has been practising. Through the glass followed, which to me has become some kind of a trademark for Stone Sour, along with a few other songs out of Come What(ever) and then surprisingly we got the honour to get the rarity that is Idle Hands with Corey and the crowd doing the “infamous” dance routine! The gig ended with a massive 30/30-150 that left everybody, including me, highly satisfied. The crowd was amazing and Corey really knows how to create a link with his audience. If you bear in mind that this was a “warm up” gig for the European tour then the only thing I can suggest is: GO AND SEE STONE SOUR WITH A7X! You won’t be disappointed. I even had the chance to ask Corey a few questions before the gig and discussed matters such as the upcoming tour, Slipknot and of course...Coldplay! The band just came back from some gigs in Japan and was getting ready for the European leg of the tour with A7X and Hellyeah. All three bands, pretty much, have lost a member in the near past so I took the liberty to ask Corey about how was the atmosphere backstage, with the other bands. It all seemed to be working pretty good and the friendship between the bands really made things run nicely. Vinnie Paul(Drums for Hellyeah) even gave the guys his piece of advice on the matter by saying that Paul, Rev and Dime are always with them and that now they have to live for them as well. When asked about the future of Slipknot Corey stood still on his position that it is too early to say, (despite the fact that both Clown and Joey Jordison have confirmed that there will be a new Slipknot chapter to come), and that there hasn’t really been a band meeting about the matter yet. Regarding the new Slipknot DVD, that was released a few weeks ago, the band is really happy with the result although it was very strange watching the whole thing again. Corey described the experience as being a “bittersweet sensation”. Finally I asked Corey what seems to turn into my standard question: What do you think of Coldplay? Corey described Coldplay as a “Vanilla version of Radiohead” and to be “sleeping music”. To be honest I’m kind of relieved that at least someone shares almost the same opinion as me on the matter!

Stone Sour: 19/20

PS: Corey is a fucking cool guy!  

Posted by Nick 

August Burns Red - 10 Oct 2010 (Islington Academy)

I was a bit disappointed when I entered the academy and heard the singer from Of Mice & Men saying “Goodnight, thank you very much”. I was kind of looking forward to see this guys live. However the other two bands kind of made up for this. Second to come up was Blessthefall. The boys from Arizona had a tough time to get the public with them during the whole set with a clearly divided public. At the front ¼ of the room was full of people enjoying the gig, then some kind of empty space with a few moshers, followed by a motionless group of people that occupied the rest of the venue. By the end of the set things got a little better and the rest of the crowd started to move a little bit mostly thanks to the amazing energy of the singer Beau Bokan and Jared Warth(Bass). This two guys made a great effort to carry the academy with them and almost reached their goal. I have to be honest and say that I was disappointed with the stage presence of the two guitar players. To me they seemed very tired and were lacking a lot of energy in comparison with the two other guys. I'm pretty sure that if they were up to the same energy level as the other two guys they would had achieved a better impression and would had carry more people with them. Up next came the leading act for the evening: August Burns Red. Last time I saw this guys at the Lamb of God gig I was very impressed by the power and energy they were giving out so I kind of knew what to expect and thankfully I wasn't disappointed. The guys kicked in with a very aggressive and powerful set and grab me by the hair and made me head-bang for the majority of the gig. Despite the warnings of the venue that no moshing should be encouraged the crowd did go mental and the surfers got on their “boards”. August Burns Red was like the Iron Maiden spaceship driven by Eddie on the Final Frontier video clip. Fast, aggressive and ravaging everything on its way! After the gig I had the chance to speak with the singers from the two bands and guess what...Just like Architects, the bands are also influenced by Coldplay. Beau Bokan admitted to me that Chris Martin was one of his singing influences and Jake Luhrs(ABR Vocals) told me that one of Matt Greiner(Drums) favourite bands is again Coldplay. I should probaly listen to more Coldplay!

August Burns Red: 18/20

Blessthefall: 15/20

Posted by Nick