LIVE REVIEW: The Glory that is Inglorious live

ON an autumnal Tuesday evening the bright light in our lives that bears the label classic rock breathed life into Belfast's Ormeau Avenue Limelight in the shape of Inglorious.

Though foreshortened by the usual student disco shit happening later in the night, Inglorious grasped an adoring crowd by the scruff of the neck - in the nicest possible way of way of course.

Before that tender rock choking local metal heroes Stormzone surmounted an albeit cramped stage to assault the unwary with a set crackling with songs oozing with their typical energy.

Harv as the deadly vocal jester cajoled the crowd along as songs such as 'Death Dealer' and 'Where We Belong' rattled the rafters.

Junior and Steve kept the guitar histrionics at max, and pulled all the appropriate shape with Harv and Graham. But the real highlight was seeing Davy Bates back behind the kit and the rattle to the intro 'The Pass Loning'.

With the stage cleared for Inglorious it was clear that this act was intent on making the best of their set despite the time restrictions. Looking cooly assured Nathan was a picture of calm as he led the band through the highlights of their first two albums.

What they have is an arsenal of songs that engage with that era of classic rock, but are refreshing in their current edge. True 'Taking The Blame' has echoes of Deep Purple, but it is still definitely an Inglorious song, rooted in the 70s and living in 2017.

Andreas Eriksson is a true guitar wizard, and it seems that the return of Drew Lowe has given them that edge needed to boost them ever onwards.

'Read All About It' and the tremendous 'I Don't Need Your Loving' were highlights, but the drum and bass solo from the energetic Phil Beaver and Colin Parkinson seemed an unnecessary indulgence given another song could have been slotted in.

What was a special moment was the acoustic covers of Linkin Park's Numb and Soundgarden's 'Black Hole Sun' as tributes to those musicians that have passed recently. Nathan's ability to give his own stamp to Chester Bennington and Chris Cornell's vocals was one of those spine-tingling moments.

With plans to tour 'II' further with more shows and festival dates this is a base many a band would yearn for as they begin plotting their third album.

Whatever the future plans are now Inglorious are deservedly riding high on the crest of the proverbial wave, and we think they'll be riding on many more on the evidence of the Belfast show.

Review by Jonathan Traynor
Pictures by Darren McVeigh

ALBUM REVIEW: Stormzone and dark tales from the 18th Century on Seven Sins

THERE can be no doubt about the consistency of Stormzone's output to date; the question is could they maintain that level on new release 'Seven Sins'...


The answer is they have not only matched it, they've exceeded it on an ambitious concept album replete with dark tales.


From the almost Arabic intro strains of opener 'Bethsheba' this is a glorious old school metal with the right of amount of 21st Century pizzazz. There are no weak tracks here, there are no fillers - just wall-to-wall riffs they way they should be played.

This is the fifth outing from the team and it is by far their most mature release, and by far their best: a true evolution in the sound and fury of Stormzone.


The album concept can be seen as allegorical; set in the 18th Century...through our extensive research (Google) we identified the musical weight of Johann Sebastian Bach was the metal equivalent in music. But the concept of this album is not about the music scene in the 1700s.


This is a morbid glimpse inside the Seven Sins Emporium, run by the shadowy Dr Dealer (Stormzone, of course have an album with the title 'Death Dealer'). Dr Dealer and his motley crew of fellow misfits tempt men to test their strength and resolve inside the Emporium.


That the band pull this off is a tribute in itself, with the glorious 'Special Brew' amongst the best examples on the album with its rolling riffery matched only by a chorus sequence to delight lovers of metal melodies.

Pulling all the elements together was a challenge as vocalist, lyricist and founding member John ‘Harv’ Harbinson explained:


“It's hard to describe Seven Sins in one paragraph… the story-line is so complex. It's a very dark subject. It’s touch and go at times with regards to how far you can go with it, but at the end of it all there's hope.”


The line "nothing is what it seems" from 'You're Not The Same' sums up the layers, both lyrically and musically on 'Seven Sins'.


Capturing the sound at the production helm guitarist Steve Moore showcases a lot of tasty solos amid the riffs - the balance in his playing working well throughout. However, the rhythm section of Graham McNulty (bass) and Davy 'Basher' Bates keep the whole album locked down, preventing it from running away from itself.


While 'Special Brew' is the stand-out track the headlong speed of 'Abandoned Souls' runs it a close second: but more importantly while these emerged as personal favourites there really is not a weak track amongst the 12 on display

And if 12 songs aren't enough for you there is more...


The physical CD booklet includes a code within its pages and fans will have the opportunity to enter it into the official Stormzone website and if they get the order correct there is a download a further four brand new songs not available on the album.


Now, that's a good deal on top of what is a top notch release -  heavy metal as it should be, intelligent, loud, proud and ripe for multiple listens!

Review by Jonny

Seven Sins is released on Metal Nation Records on August 3rd

GIG REVIEW: Thunder in Ahoghill - Stormzone and Donum Dei roar in County Antrim

WHEN technical difficulties strike, a band has two choices - suck it up and get on, or let it stop the show. Stormzone and Donum Dei both had technical gremlins strike, but they chose the former optiob and rose above and smashed the gremlins into the ground and delivered a feast of  metal.

That feast comprised Stormzone, playing a request set ahead of their Bloodstock Open Air appearance, while Donum Dei were making their Diamond Rock Club début.

For such a relatively youthful band they have evolved quickly, with a contemporary metal crushing sound, all delivered with a passion many more seasoned veterans would do well to emulate.

Thomas Marshall and Stuart McLoughlin were locked in tight in both riffs and heavy harmony guitar sections, and Stuart lashed through solos, wringing notes from the neck of his Les Paul with venom and precision.

Part of that precision within Donum Dei is the drums of Alastair Marshall, who maintains the tempo whether a full on assault with double bass runs, or beating the toms into submission. Buried... and Restless were impressive, but Restless had a couple of issues. The bass intro was lost and the harmony sections were off kilter.

Having said that they quickly recovered, and by the time Justice Fails flayed the audience Donum Dei proved themselves as worthy stand-ins for Maverick (whose guitarist Ryan has suffered an injury, forcing the band into an eight-week hiatus). But that didn't stop the Maverick team racking up at the Diamond to show their support for Donum Dei.

A deserved mention in dispatches must also go to  DD's bassist Dean Kane. While Thomas is the fulcrum as frontman, Dean is his manic side-kick, contorting both body and bass in a whirl of movement, loving every second on stage.

Make no mistake, Donum Dei are ambitious, confident but not cocky, precise, and that rarest of beasts - a really heavy band that can bring along both the rock fans and the metal heads in true appreciation.

Appreciation is something that Stormzone will never be lacking in the Diamond Rock Club. To call them local heroes is something of an understatement to those who travel far and wide to see the Stormzone lightning strike.

Just a few short weeks after attracting an impressive several hundred to their tent show as part of Sonisphere, Stormzone were on stage enjoying a trawl through back catalogue material and songs off their most recent release, Three Kings.

Setting something of a Diamond Rock Club record with more than 20 original tracks delivered in a two-hour set, Stormzone were both relaxed and rampant with twin guitars of Moore and Shields shredding the venue, while Harv was the jester cajoling all to enjoy and participate.

Moore and Shields make it their mission to just let their six-stings do the talking for them. Both are extremely accomplished, and at times astonishingly good, players: trading licks, runs and riffs to the Stormzone sound.

A trio of songs that have become 'Zone classics, kicked off the set as Final Journey, Spectre and Secret Gateway rolled like a clap of thunder to the sweltering audience. The two hours were concluded with another trio of Hail the Brave, Death Dealer and the Legend Carries On.

In between was a smorgasbord of classic metal. From the Celtic metal stomp of the Pass Loning, the balladic Beware in Time, the harmonies of Tugging at Heartstrings and Crying In The Rain, and the full on metal of Three Kings and Night of the Storm this was a set showcasing the range and talent of the band.

Having become the band that more and more people from across Europe are eagerly eating up all their shows, those who go along to see them at Bloodstock Open Air are in for a classy metallic assault.

And, Harv confessed that they may be changing their planned setlist after seeing the response to Bang Your Head, a track that hasn't been played live in two years.

That Graham has bass problems with his rig, did not fluster the band, carrying on while he made the running repairs, is a testament to a band sure of what they are doing and confident that they can deliver, and will deliver no matter what.

In a few short minutes Graham was back, locked in with drummer Davy 'Basher' Bates, who put in a A+ performance. From the complicated rolls and rhythms of the likes of Cuchulain through the steady showcasing of Never Trust, and standing atop his drum stool urging the audience - who really needed no urging - to clap along, wave their arms and show the horns Davy was on the money throughout.

Basher is the anchor that stops the flamboyant talent of the front four from flying away from their exuberance and their talent.

And right in front Harv deploys his voice as an instrument of intent, from high notes threatening glass to smash within a one-mile radius, to deep lines that have the throaty terror of classic metal.

There are those who could accuse Stormzone of playing music that is a throwback to the eighties, but that is to miss the point. The members have absorbed the metal they grew up with, placed a huge Stormzone stamp on it, and brought a touch of 21st Century class.

This isn't retro rock, this a storm front of  sheer metal enjoyment: where what could have become clichés in lesser hands have become a 21st Century live phenomenon, marrying the metal of our youth to the 2014 mindset. Yes, for all who may have stood at gigs, po-faced and reserved, Stormzone leaves each and everyone smiling.

Fans at Bloodstock are in for a treat when the weather brings a Storm(zone) through the Derby countryside, raising hell, raising fists and raising the semi-conscious to partake in another brew.

There is no magic formula to rock and metal, but there are secret ingredients that can raise it above the mundane...

Every member of Donum Dei and Stormzone has not only the talent, but the fact that they can rely and trust each other, they are a band of brothers, who make their individual skills part of team, part of a collective dedicated to metal. They are from Northern Ireland, they are metal, and we like it - what more can be said?

Storm front flattens sweaty Diamond Rock Club

SWEAT-soaked, beer-drenched, loud and proud - when Stormzone launched their new album Three Kings at the Diamond Rock Club the thermometer was set to melt, the beer was quaffed and the five members of Stormzone laid down heavy metal the old school way - loud, proud and majestic.

The Ahoghil venue was packed, and it was close to the sweat of the collective fans running down the walls as the heat rose for a night of pure metal fun.

Opening act, all the way from the homeland of metal in Birmingham, were Agincourt, an outfit determined to show that the ghost of metal still can send shivers down the spine. With their set drawn largely from their 2011 album Angel of Mons, this was the spirit of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal writ large.

Edge of Paradise and Queen of the Night were included in a set that proved that this type of music translates well to the live setting; what sounds adequate from a studio recording roars to life on stage.

The band took the opportunity to play a new track, Rainbow Man, dedicated to the memory of Ronnie James Dio, which was a highlight to the show along with the eponymous Agincourt sounding appropriately epic. The only niggle throughout the night was the need Richard E Toy's vocals to have some backing vocal support on choruses to lift the sound.

On an ordinary night the sounds of Agincourt would have delighted the Diamond, but the 27th July saw Stormzone announce their intentions with a set that saw the band ascend further than they have ever done before. This was no ordinary night.

Opening with The Pass Loning it was clear from the off that this was a special night for the band, feeding off the audience from the first riff this was a show when Stormzone transcended from the mighty force they already were to something special.

From Death Dealer through to Spectre each song brought forward a tightly coiled spring which when unleashed flattened any doubt any indifferent attendee and brought then to their feet, punching the air, and roaring appreciation.

This was a night when hyperbole does not even convey the sense of joy both on stage and in the audience.

Harv was the jester leading like a Pied Piper, Steve and Davey played as if joined at the musical hip, while the whole entity was held from tottering over the edge by the solid anchors of Davy's drums and Graham's bass.

Stormzone could have stumbled over the precipice into pretention and a presumption that the audience was on their side, but the intent was to play as if the crowd needed to be sought after like an elusive lover.

Fear Hotel and Where We Belong had the audience singing every word and new album tracks Night of the Storm and the ballad Beware in Time delivered with aplomb the latter adding a new dimension to the headlong race to metal glory.

Even the intro tape to The Pain Inside sounded superb in the over-heated setting.

This was Stormzone rising to a new level.

The Diamond Rock Bar bowed to the majesty of Stormzone as they brought a true heavy metal storm front to Ahoghill, flattening all in its wake.