Millennium Of Blood - Saturday
11th October 2008.
Regrettably two bands were unable to appear,
so no Overproof or Forlorn, however the remaining three
bands were...
Skullfox. Local band of
young lads who impressed everyone immensely. Their
EP showcases their abilities admirably, this performance
was superb. Musically they are very solid, with all members
of the band displaying maturity and technical proficiency
well beyond their years. Then you throw in their songwriting
prowess and you have a very potent package. If you had to
pigeonhole them you'd put them in classic rock or biker
territory, although they also exhibit stoner and doom leanings.
Highlight of the set for many was their take on the Sex
Pistols' “Pretty Vacant” which they managed
to make their own effortlessly. Original material was well
received too; track down a copy of their EP, I guarantee
you won't be disappointed. Great start to the evening from
a band who have a bright future ahead.
Martyr de Mona were up
next and they were stunning. Having seen them at the Barfly
and Scruffy's in the not too distant past, it was amazing
how quickly they settled in to new surroundings. Tight as
fuck from the word go, their set blistered along at a relentless
tempo and contained songs that are surely destined to become
classics in the not too distant future. Mark my words, they
are a band to keep an eye on; with a bit of luck they should
be huge.
Personal favourites were the two closing
numbers “Eva” and “Dementia”
but everything they did oozed class. Guitarists shared soloing
and rhythm duties fluidly, and the rhythm section of bass
and drums was solid as a rock; it's a measure of musical
ability to be able to make complex patterns look so effortless,
and to have so much time. Their appeal should be widespread
as they play a chunky form of stadium rock, mixed up with
modern time signatures. I genuinely hope the rest of 2008
and 2009 propels them ever upwards to where they belong
in the rock/metal hierarchy.
Adrenaline completed the
proceedings with their brutal hybrid of thrash, metalcore
and hardcore and fully justified their headlining status.
The “Being
This Side Of Insane” EP was well represented as
was the yet to be released new full length “Castrum
Doloris”. Lead off track from the album, “The
Bereaved”, kicked things off and was a real statement
of intent, fast and brutal in equal measure. As the new
material was aired, it became clear that the band should
be onto a winner – all the songs are solid, with the
breakdown sections being particularly savage.
For a three piece plus vocalist they generate
an immense sound which never feels thin. The complexity
of the drumlines and bass patterns may have something to
do with this, allowing the guitarist to either underpin,
or solo, at will. Vocals are of the extreme metal barked
variety yet they are surprisingly accessible. There would
have been some serious pit action with a few more people
in the room (although I spent most of the set doom moshing
and trying to start off a circle pit, but as mein host...).
Standout tracks for me were “Being
This Side Of Insane”, “Inch Of Skin”
(which contained an absolutely ferocious breakdown section)
and the closer “Inertia”, although
every song was so well executed that it seems slightly churlish
to single certain ones out. Can't wait to see them ripping
a new arsehole in the Little Civic on Halloween!
Another MoB
has come and gone and what a superb evening it was. Thanks
to the bands who all played absolute blinders. Hats off
to the new sound crew of Si and Andy from Musoplex studios
for delivering a crisp yet punchy sound all evening. My
thanks to the crew and especially my long suffering “rock
widow” Pink.
Not forgetting the staff of the Bear (and the cellar crew!).
Last but by no means least, a huge thank you to all who
attended – hope you had an enjoyable evening and that
we see you at another
MoB promotion soon!!
