NEWS: Dead Daisies add November Belfast date 'by popular demand'

THE Dead Daisies have added a November Limelight date "by popular demand" as the revolving line-up supergroup concludes another massive year for the band.

They will play the Ormeau Road venue on November 22nd, in what promises to be a very special night as part of their 'Welcome to Disneyland' tour.

But make sure to get in the queue early - the first 50 people in the line may have the opportunity to witness a 50-minute acoustic 'Disneyland' set before the doors officially open.

For those who can't make that the Dead Daisies will play a two-hour show.

“We’re extremely excited to get back to our friends and fans in Europe and the U.K. to close out an AMAZING year, and our 2018 Burn It Down Tour!

"We’re also excited about finally getting back to Belfast Northern Ireland and Frankfurt Germany to feel that good old fashioned rock and roll enthusiasm once again!!!!

"We can’t thank you all enough for the love and support you’ve given us, so what better way to end the year, than being back again with you playing music!!!! See you in November”, said singer John Corabi.

Guitarist Doug Aldrich added: “Hi guys just wanted to say hi! We are super happy that we are returning to Europe in November! It’s an honour to rock and party with you! We’re going to be wrapping up the tour actually in Frankfurt and that’s gonna be an insane party.

"Also very excited to go to Belfast Northern Ireland on this tour. It’s such an amazing place I can’t wait. See you in the fall ROCKERS!!"

ALBUM REVIEW: Sumptuous, elegant, edgy eloquence from majestic Magnum on album #20

BY now you would expect veterans like Magnum to be calling in their albums, dialled straight in, with all the formula expected. Not for the Brummie rockers. Nope, this is a band that have a distinctive sound, but always stretch themselves.

And, on their 20th album, Lost On The Road To Eternity' they once again push what is expected of them to produce an album that is lush, filled with textures and touches that demand repeated listens to appreciate the depth within,

Opener 'Peaches and Cream' may have an innocuous title, but there is more than enough mid-tempo menace to intrigue and demand attention.

The theme is repeated throughout, and the tracks are allowed the time to breathe with the time and arrangements. Only the opener is less than five minutes (only by a second).

The eight-minute 'Welcome To The Cosmic Cabaret' is sumptuously wonderful, and deceptively edgy. Don't let the ease of the opening deceive you.

Title track 'Lost On The Road To Eternity' features a guest appearance from Tobias Sammet of Edguy/Avantasia fame. Given Bob Catley has contributed on Sammet's releases this may seem just as a favour returned, but it this is so much more. The atmosphere is added to with the Wolf Kerschek Orchestra adding that bit extra.

While Tony Clarikin and Catley remain the core of Magnum the addition of Lee Morris (taking over from Harry James (Thunder) and Rick Benton filling the shoes of Mark Stanaway, plus the 16-years serving bassist Al Barrow has given Magnum some deft touches.

It could be argued that the additions give the band overall a new breath, a new eagerness to stretch themselves creatively. Certainly some of the new rhythms and touches of other musical cultures beam through.

The growth of the band over the past 20 years has been exceptional. While some still demand the hits on the live circuit it is remiss of any Magnum fan to overlook recent releases, and especially this album.

Sure, 'Without Love' will stand out in any live set, the likes of the extraordinary closer, 'King of the World' and 'Ya Wanna Be Someone' deserve to be heard on stage. Indeed the latter becomes better with each listen.

With a tour already lines up to support 'Lost On The Road To Eternity' this is an album that every Magnum fan needs to grab hold of as soon as it is released.

Review by Jonathan Traynor

Lost On The Road To Eternity is released in a variety of formats on January 19th on Steamhammer/SPV

Magnum play Belfast's Limelight on 1st March, 2018 

INTERVIEW: Jimmy Barnes closes off 2017 by chatting to Ivor...

HE is a man of legendary status in Australia, a proper working class hero - dedicated to his music and many causes.

So, when Jimmy Barnes turned up for a Belfast show, we sent along our own legend, Ivor Whitten to catch up.

Here's the audio - listen well!

LIVE REVIEW: The Undertones stir up some teenage kicks in the Limelight

WHEN two local bands play the Limelight and they pack the place out, you know something special is going down. Brand New Friend and The Undertones were a fantastic match, with a youthful Brand New Friend supporting the well experienced The Undertones.

Brand New Friend, a quirky upbeat outfit from Castlerock, is Taylor and Lauren Johnson, Aaron Milligan and Luke Harris.

Their set for the night set alight the stage and the audience with their energy. Starting off with “Why Are You So Tired?”, “Seatbelts For Aeroplanes” and “I Was An Astronaut” the tone was well and truly set. They just did not stop smiling and the experience was rather joyous along with their  infectious Indie-pop verve. The whole band just could not stop enjoying being on stage and the audience felt that joy too. Their drummer, Luke was so energetic he burst his snare drum.

And, for doing so got to borrow The Undertones snare for the rest of the set. The joyous rush continued with “Milk Chews”, “Mediocre At Best” and the ironically fast paced “Slow”. They drew their set to a close with “Hate It When You Have To Go”, “Girl” and “I Love You, Goodbye”.

They were tight, animated and an absolute delight. They had everyone, including the grumpy old codgers there to relive their youth through The Undertones, bopping along to what can only be described as an elixir of summer. Especially welcome on a cold winter’s night

Then came The Undertones. If you have never heard of The Undertones then you have a false memory.

The Undertones formed in 1974 drawing influence from punk rock and new wave with elements of rock, glam rock, post-punk and even Motown. And even though they were a band of the Troubles period in Northern Ireland, their music focussed more on the experiences of angsty teenagers, enduring heartbreak and being jealous of their cousins.

The Limelight was packed to the gills as the band took to the stage with perfectly timed banter with the audience before Paul McLoone’s golden voice crooned out “Family Entertainment”. Much to the delight of everyone.

The band may be 43 years old, but their energetic posturing, bouncy tunes and boyish charm made them all seem still in their teens.

And, because each song is crafted to the traditional pop tune length of about 3 to 4 minutes in their over an hour long set they banged out well over 30 songs.

Plus, each one was adored by the crowd, which seemed to go in age from 18 to 80. This band not only ‘crossed the barricades’, they crossed the generations with absolute ease. The showmanship of Paul and the rest of the band was outstanding.

The set included “Jump Boys”, “I Gotta Getta”, Tearproof”, “Oh Please” and those classics that you may have forgotten, or not forgotten – just forgot they were done by The Undertones. These included “Jimmy Jimmy”, “It's Going to Happen”, “Girls That Don't Talk”, “Here Comes the Summer”, “I Know a Girl” and “When Saturday Comes”.

Then, of course, there are THOSE two songs. You know, the ones that encapsulate all that is The Undertones.

Yup, the set would not have been anywhere near complete without “My Perfect Cousin” and the John Peel special “Teenage Kicks”. And “Teenage Kicks” being so good, they sang it twice.

To say the crowd loved every single moment is an understatement. Not one single person stayed still as they all sang along enthusiastically to each well-rehearsed tune. It is a night for many to remember, night to shine a light on The Undertones as a band you have to see before you die.

Review by Ivor Whtten
Pictures by Darren McVeigh

INTERVIEW: Michael from The Raven Age ahead of their Belfast date on Tuesday

RIGHTLY touted as one of the rising metal bands from the UK, conquering territories and with a stunning début album, 'Darkness Will Rise' out earlier this year.

As they prepared to board a ferry for Ireland we grabbed a few minutes with lead vocalist Michael Burrough to hear where the band are at present.

Listen below:

LIVE REVIEW: Belphegor, Enthroned and Nervochaos bring Satanic worship to Belfast in a hail of riffs.

SATAN was in the house and there was three bands to hail Lucifer's arrival in the Limelight.

First to welcome the Fallen angel wee Brazilian black death metal maniacs NervoChaos.

Grinding death influenced guitars and ferocious drumming set the tone for the next thirty minutes.

The bellowed vocals of Lauro Nightrealm thundered through the venue. The high energy set had everyone paying utmost attention. Heads were banging and horns were in the air.

The performance was tight, thoroughly entertaining and a strong start to the madness that followed.

Next to hail the Lord of Light were Belgian black metal heavyweights Enthroned. The blistering guitars, blastbeats and rumbling bass fired everyone into a headbanging frenzy, orchestrated by the ominous presence of man mountain Nornagest.

The dark imagery, corpse paint and eerie lighting  only intensified the evil spewing out of the amplifiers. Enthroned showed over the course of forty minutes why they have been a driving force in black metal for nearly 25 years.

Every eye was transfixed by the dark Satanic madness conspiring on stage. The powerful vocals, razor sharp musicianship and a certain flair for the dramatic held the room captive from start to finish.

As the lights then dimmed to a creepy blue and crosses made of bones and goat skulls adorned the stage the ravenous congregation edged their way closer to witness what was to come.

Austrian blackened death metal giants Belphegor tore the Limelight to pieces in support of their absolute beast of a new album, ‘Totenritual’.

The stage presence was absolutely fear inducing, as a heavily corpsepainted Helmuth Lehner and his morbid band of madmen caused aural carnage and mayhem in its rawest form.

The monstrous bass, crushing blastbeat drumming and shredding fretwork turned the place into a nightmarish warzone.

The Limelight was now a place of evil, and Helmuth made sure nobody forgot it with demonic roars, inhuman shrieks and rasping eerie monologues throughout the performance.

It was a night of pure darkness in Belfast. A night that those in attendance will not soon forget.

Despite the lineup being plagued by Deströyer 666 and Nordjevel dropping out at relatively short notice NervoChaos, Enthroned and Belphegor put on a show that shook the Limelight to its very core.

Review by Phil Noonan
Pictures by Darren McVeigh

NEWS: Magnum set for Belfast return on Lost On the Road to Eternity Tour

AFTER a series of stunning festival performances legendary prog rockers Magnum are set to release their new album 'Lost On The Road To Eternity' in six months and will tour it in 2018 with a  Belfast show on March 1st at Limelight1.

They played Belfast and Dublin on their last tour in what was a triumphant return to these shores, comfortable that they had not only hits for fans of their 80s albums, but new tunes that stood up well with the singalong songs such as 'Les Morts Dansant' or 'Vigilante'.

Indeed when Belfastmetalheads caught them at Ramblin Man Fair they may have focussed more on the hits - it was a festival set after all - the smattering of more recent songs didn't deter the audience one bit.

With this headline show in the Limelight one can expect a more fleshed out set as a mature band, comfortable as elder statesmen of the scene, able to introduce new songs and having no problem milking 'How Far Jerusalem' or 'Just Like An Arrow' in an appropriate manner.

'Sacred Blood, Divine Lies' was an outstanding album with many subtle under-currents amidst the pomp - all of which bodes well for the release of 'Lost On The Road To Eternity' and the Belfast March show.

NEWS: Let darkness descend in October as Belphegor brings their Toten Ritual tour with a dark host accompanying them

IN the dark days of October, when the spirits of the damned roam across the land a glorious gloom is set to descend upon Belfast. The European Toten Ritual Tour is coming...

The Black Metal Crusade 2017 brings Belphegor, Destroyer 666, Enthroned, NervoChaos and Nordjevel to our city on October 12th, a Thursday set to be marked in infamy as the Dark Lord resides in the Limelight.

Tickets go on sale Wednesday 5th July. No need to sell your soul in advance, at a mere £25 you too can join the metal court of Beelzebub.

But beware offending He who of many names: The Adversary, Belial, Lucifer, The Serpent of Old or Mephistopheles for he is the Archfiend...Place this date in your diabolical diary lest you miss the opening symphony of discord as this is an early show... Doors are at 5:30pm and the first band conjures evil intent a mere 15 dark minutes later.

Come to the Mass of metal massacre, join the Toten Ritual, and maybe have some of the Devil's Buttermilk too.

Ohh and Belphegor are releasing their new album Toten Ritual on September 15th...

 

LIVE REVIEW: Clutch once again stand head and shoulders above most in Limelight

THE Limelight has had quite a few gigs in the last few weeks and so far all of them great, and Clutch took that high level up several notches on Wednesday, June 14^th.

First to grace the stage was Duelists with their brand of hard rock that touched on metal at times. They played with intensity that few bands have.

All played extremely well and had everyone in a good mood. This was a good start to the night. The only problem was that at times vocals were a bit weak. Whether this was as a result of the air, atmosphere or other factors didn’t detract from a good set. The whole band where impressive and played well.

Soon after the mighty Clutch came onto the stage and set Belfast alight.

They had one hell of a set - few bands can rival them.

One of the best performances seen in a long time.

They started off with ‘Crucial Velocity’ which was incredible and a great way to start the set off.

They then went onto play crowd favorites like ‘Firebirds’ and ‘Sucker for the Witch’.

The whole night was one to be remembered. The whole band was tight and they continued with the same fire they had coming onto the stage until the end. A great feat for any band!

They finished off with ‘X-ray Vision’ which was the best song of the night and signaled the end of the night topping off what was a great evening by all accounts.

Every time Clutch play here they sell out the Llimelight and you can see why, the show live is incredible and not like any other.

You can't get much better than this. There is no better way to spend a late Wednesday night with some great music from the mighty Clutch.

Review by Zakk Traynor
Pictures by Darren McVeigh

INTERVIEW: Devilskin speak out about their independent roots, success and a family affaIr....

AFTER a UK set of appearances over the past few months Devilskin managed to make it to Belfast ahead of their Download appearance.

And, on stage they delivered a set that had the audience enthralled from start to finish.

But before they walked on to the Belfast stage we caught up with the New Zealand crew told us a little bit about how these Antiopean metal crew knocked Ed Sheeran off the top of the NZ charts...and how the band is very much a family affair.

ICYMI: Devin Towsend Project set for return to Belfast

CANUCK musician, songwriter and producer Devin Townsend will make a welcome return to Belfast for a Limelight date on Tuesday, June 13th.

The Devin Townsend Project has been wowing audiences for years, from the early days when he emerged with some like minded Vancouver musicians to stun the world with the Strapping Young Lad releases.

With the project and plus other many outings, his dry humour, and occasional weird 'alien' partner Ziltoid, Devin has been a breath of fresh air to an often predictable landscape.

The Devin Townsend Project is currently on tour across Europe to support the release last year of the seventh DTP album, 'Transendence'.

Tickets - priced £22.50 (+bking fee) go on sale later this week.

LIVE REVIEW: Ugly Kid Joe rock Belfast's Limelight one the back of four years on tour

Ugly Kid Joe are one of those bands that everyone knows: the 'sk8r doods' from the Nineties who are, almost inexplicably, still riding a huge wave of popularity.

They have - as frontman Whitfield Crane explains to a packed Limelight 1 tonight - been touring almost non stop for the last four years (tonight is the penultimate gig of the tour), as well as releasing a new album for the first time in nineteen years, the wittily titled Uglier Than They Used Ta Be, last year.

But most importantly, do they still have 'it'?

Before we find out, we are treated to support act Dallas Frasca, who have flown “allllll the way from Australia!” to entertain their first ever Belfast crowd, as fiesty frontwoman and band namesake Dallas Frasca announces.

Despite her vocals getting a bit lost in the mix at times, their modern take on classic rock soon gets the crowd moving and cheering their approval – particularly one hoodie-clad superfan who is so excited to see the band that he almost can't contain the energy in his body.

Vocally, Frasca is an intriguing mix of Blondie, Brody Dalle and Suzi Quatro, and the band's 'twin guitar no bass' heavy riffs and almost glam rock vibe matches her voice perfectly.

She interacts well with the crowd, at one point even wriggling over the barrier to wander amongst everyone; the sight of her surrounded by kneeling fans as they sing along with her is a truly memorable moment (not to mention a great photo opp). In all, their half hour set is terrifically entertaining and rollicking good fun.

When the stage lights flash and headliners Ugly Kid Joe take to the stage, the roar that goes up signifies just how loved the band are here in Belfast. Opening their set with fan favourite 'Neighbour', they spend the next hour and a half delighting the crowd with their clear joy at being onstage and a wealth of great music.

In Whitfield Crane UKJ are in possession of simply one of the most charismatic and charming frontmen in rock.

Utterly at ease onstage, his level of crowd interaction is superb, as he singles out people whose energy he loves (at one stage the entire crowd is chanting “Ian! Ian!” under his direction; they even bring the man in question onstage to finish off their last song), commending everyone's “badass energy” and joking around in a way that's at once delightfully silly and warmly affectionate.

At his behest, everyone claps along to virtually every song, sings great chunks of tracks such as 'Cat's In the Cradle' and generally lies in the palm of his hand all night long.

Acknowledging the fact that they were here just a short time ago (at the end of 2013), Crane announces that there will be some surprises to keep the show interesting.

Thus we are treated to a snippet of 'Alternative Ulster' (at which the crowd erupts), a thunderous cover of Motorhead's 'Ace of Spades', and “two obscure Ugly Kid Joe songs, acoustic”, which turns out to be 'Come Tomorrow' and 'Cloudy Skies'; both of which showcase Crane's crystal clear vocals which can often get lost in the normal chaos of a rock show.

They also play 'Under the Bottom' from their latest album, which reveals a more mature sound, with some clean guitar work and often sombre lyrics.

With no encore, they play right up until the end without a break, finishing off with 'Tomorrow's World', 'VIP' and their ubiquitous classic 'Everything About You', which sends everyone into paroxysms of delight. It's a suitably joyful ending to an outstanding evening, and one that puts a lasting smile on every single gig goer's face.

Despite probably being more famous for their older work than their newer, tonight's gig showed that UKJ are definitely still a force to be reckoned with. Brash, fun and almost ridiculously entertaining, it was only Crane's Nineties surfer shorts (and slight beer belly) that belied their longevity in the music industry.

They may have dispensed with the piss and vinegar of their youth, but they've lost none of their ability to charm and entertain an audience. In short: yes, they've still got 'it'.

Review by Melanie Brehaut
Pics by Liam Kielt

NEWS: Trivium set for Dublin and Belfast dates in February as part of European tour

TRIVIUM are set to play Belfast and Dublin in February as part of an extensive run of headline shows. The tour kicks off in Dublin on February 11th, with Belfast the next day. Support bands for the trek will be announced in due course.

Frontman Matt Heafy said: "The UK was the first place to embrace Trivium on the planet, and Europe was the first home for Trivium playing internationally way back in 2003.

“It's our honour to be able to complete the 'Silence In The Snow' album tour in the UK and Europe; we have had some of the most integral and historic moments of our career in both spots, and we look forward to celebrating our love of music with all of you. See you very soon!"

Presale tickets are available via O2 on Wed 5th Oct at 10am and via Live Nation on Thu 6th Oct at 10am. General sale begins at 10am on Fri 7th Oct. To get your paws on tickets, visit: http://www. ticketmaster.co.uk/Trivium- tickets/artist/962593 or http://www.trivium.org. 

Watch's Trivium latest video for song 'Dead And Gone' from their classic metal, latest album 'Silence In The Snow' over on their official YouTube channel at: https://youtu.be/00I- SYJaPjA.  You can currently snap up this album for a special low price of just £5.90 with Amazon UK at: https://www.amazon.co.uk/ Silence-Snow-Trivium/dp/ B011V48SPM. 

Trivium are currently performing across the USA with special guests Sabaton and Huntress.

NEWS: The Mission release new video for Tyranny of Secrets ahead of album release and Belfast date

WITH their tour days away – including a Belfast date on October 2^nd – The Mission have released a new video for the track ‘Tyranny of Secrets’ from forthcoming album ‘Another Fall From Grace’. [View at the end of this post.]

“Following on from the very positive response that we have received, and enjoyed, to the video for ‘Met-Amor-Phosis’, the first single release from the Mission’s soon to be released album ‘Another Fall From Grace’, it is with huge pleasure we now release the video for ‘Tyranny Of Secrets’, a track from the new album that is being singled out in reviews and by those that have heard the album. The video was, as was Met-Amor-Phosis, directed and edited by Shaun Hodson of LoKi Films,” Wayne Hussey said. And, it has some politically charged imagery...

Hussey said the album was: “The lost link between The Sisters Of Mercy ‘First And Last And Always’ and The Mission’s ‘God's Own Medicine’” 

Set to be released on September 30th Another Fall From Grace was produced by Wayne Hussey and Tim Palmer and features guest backing vocals from Gary Numan, Martin Gore (Depeche Mode), Ville Valo (HIM), Julianne Regan (All About Eve) and Evi Vine.

Another Fall From Grace will be available on CD, DL and 180 gram vinyl plus ltd edition deluxe double CD and DVD

To order the album go to: https://the-mission.tmstor.es

Another Fall From Grace CD track listing:

1 Another Fall From Grace

2 Met-Amor-Phosis

3 Within The Deepest Darkness (Fearful)

4 Blood On The Road

5 Can't See The Ocean For The Rain

6 Tyranny Of Secrets

7 Never's Longer Than Forever

8 Bullets & Bayonets

9 Valaam

10 Jade

11 Only You & You Alone

12 Phantom Pain

Another Fall From Grace Vinyl track listing:

Side A

1 Another Fall From Grace

2 Met-Amor-Phosis

3 Blood On The Road

4 Tyranny Of Secrets

Side B

1 Only You & You Alone

2 Bullets & Bayonets

3 Valaam

4 Phantom Pain

The Mission are at Belfast’s Limelight on October 2^nd.

NEWS: Stormzone added to already packed Distortionfest line-up on October 29th

SATURDAY 29th October - Distortionfest 2016, nine hours of hard rock and heavy metal in two of the venues of the Limelight complex. A celebration of the loud and the proud.

Today, Mr James Loveday has announced that the mighty Stormzone have been added to the already packed bill. Returning to the stage for the first time in what we might call a 'wee while' this will make sure that the already great line up has just gotten even better.

Playing on the day are Warrior Soul, the Dutch might of Lord Volture, local heroes Rabid Bitch Of The North, Zlatanera, Drakonis and War Iron.

Plus from Romania, Bloodway, the German might of Valborg and Scottish metal from Bloodthread.

As if that wasn't enough there are still more bands to be added. Yes, you read that right - even more to be announced!

All this metal for the measly sum of £10. Feck sake that's value for money of the highest order.

Hit up Mr Loveday and he'll explain how to get your mitts on tickets in advance.

Doors are at noon on the 29th October and the show ends at 9pm.

NEWS: Black Star Riders new album and tour including Belfast March slot

BLACK Star Riders play Belfast on March 5^th as part of a full UK tour in support of their new album ‘Heavy Fire’, set for release in early 2017.

After a full year off the road, Black Star Riders  (Ricky Warwick, Scott Gorham, Damon Johnson, Robert Crane and Jimmy DeGrasso) will play a 16-date UK & Ireland run, joined by Gun and The Amorettes.

Ricky Warwick said: “It seems like ages since we did the Leppard / Whitesnake tour so we are all really looking forward to be back out on the road with BSR.

“Our third album will be out just prior to the dates so it’s going to be great to play tracks from that along with favorites from the first two records also.  Having my old friends from Gun and The Amorettes out with us too is just icing on the cake to make a great tour!”

The band are currently in the studio in Nashville, once again with producer Nick Raskulinecz putting the finishing touches to ‘Heavy Fire’. Scott Gorham said: “It’s great to be back with Nick, after such a great job on The Killer Instinct it was a no brainer to continue the relationship and this album is going to blow everyone away”.

Following on from their critically acclaimed albums ‘All Hell Breaks Loose’ and ‘The Killer Instinct’ which have paved the way for Black Star Riders to be recognized as a power force in the modern day of rock n’ roll, ‘Heavy Fire’ will be once again released by Nuclear Blast Entertainment.  The band have also brought in Pledgemusic, one of the most innovative and successful platforms of the modern music world, to give fans extra special product and experiences to go along with the album’s release.

The tour lands in Ireland on Saturday, March 4th, with a slot at the Academy, Dublin before playing the Limelight on Sunday, March 5^th.

INTERVIEW: Maverick front man David Balfour looks forward to bright future for the band as Big Red launches

MAVERICK stormed Limelight2 on Saturday 27th August to officially launch their second album, the stormer slab of rock that is 'Big Red'.

Shortly before he took to the stage we caught up with vocalist David Balfour to discuss the album, live shows and the bright future ahead for Maverick. Worth a watch for Maverick fans...

NEWS: Week packed with rock and metal

WELL - there's never anything happening in Belfast for rock and metal bands, right? Wrong! The next four days are packed, literally packed with shows.

Tonught, Wednesday, 24th July sees Airbourne play a sold-out show in Limelight1 with The Treatment and Trucker Diablo - sorry if you ain't got your ticket...

But despair not as tomorrow there are some limited number of tickets available for Red Hot Chili Peppers at Tennents Vital, at Boucher Road Playing Fields. The box office is open from 1pm tomorrow, but be quick as the it is close to selling out the 40,000 capacity.

If that's not to your taste and want something a bit heavier the Voodoo is hosting Shrouded, Ceaseless Blight, Drakonis, and Towers from 8pm.

Friday - end of the working week? Well the Hilden Beer Festival kicks off, and in the Eglantine Bar The Distortion Project will bring Scotland's Midnight Force to town with support from Donum Dei and Scimitar.

Still with us? Then hang on to your hats because on Saturday it is time for a serious choice. You want it heavy and terrifying? Then head back to the Voodoo, where Extreme Noise Terror will be playing their only Irish show, with backing from Desecration, Zombified and Okus...neck protection advised.

Over in The Limelight Maverick are launching their new album Big Red with Stereo Nasty opening the evening's proceedings. (Video for Asylum single below)

That's just a sample of the goings on - there are plenty more, but never, ever say there's no gigs...and there are plenty more coming up over the rest of the year!

Let the Beer Tokens be deployed!

LIVE REVIEW: Finland brings the party to Belfast in a folk metal fest courtesy of Moonsorrow and Korpiklaani

LET'S face it the words folk and metal should not, in a sane universe, be used in the same dimension let alone in the same sentence. Folk - that's earnest men in aran sweaters with acoustic guitars and weird English accents. Metal - well that's us.

Add in a liberal dose of 'Finland' and nothing would have made sense of this to the progenitors of heavy metal and fans of metal in the 70s and 80s.

But, when those of that vintage stumble upon this alternate dimension there is nothing else to do, but smile, raise a glass and join in the fun.

Fun is such a small word, and when Moonsorrow and Korpilaani roll into Belfast on the latest leg of their Finnish Folk Metal Mafia tour fun grows from just three letters to a Sunday night Limelight2 full on party as smiles and cheers mingle amidst a swirl of the most positive emotions.

Moonsorrow take to the stage first and it is fair to say that ahead of the event many of the audience would not be as familiar with their material, but within a few chords there was no doubt that they won over many new fans.

Despite being self-avowed pagan metallers the synth lines add the folk elements above the all-out aural attack. Latest release 'Jumalten Aika' features throughout the set. Eight plus songs over 90 minutes might seem like overlong songs, but not one seems like too much.

Ville is a commanding front man, and the entire band provide their own coherent contribution to the set, including some witty to and fro with the audience.

As they conclude with the chug and roll of 'Sankaritarina' there is a clear sense of welcome from the crowd to the band. Pagan, black, folk, battle metal, or whatever it is simply great.

As to Korpiklaani, this is their second Belfast show in less than 18 months, and as they are about to take to the stage there is a sense of anticipation. In their previous incarnation, the band like Moonsorrow used synth sounds. Now, the accordion and electric fiddle not only give the band different tones, but provide three-dimensional visual elements to compliment Jonne as the focal point.

Songs come fast at the audience, prompting joy amongst those fortunate to be in attendance. Despite the fact that many of the songs are in their native Finnish, the crowd is familiar with the tracks, and the energy from the stage translates into unprompted cheers, movement and some of the weirder dances ever seen in Belfast's Ormeau Avenue.

It is a pure party and, of course, alcohol features in the closing trio of songs that see the audience joining in with (slightly slurred) vigour. 'Wooden Pints', Vodka' and 'Beer Beer' are the perfect conclusion.

Folk metal? Who cares what it means, or does not mean. We stepped into the parallel universe, took the red pill, slipped down the rabbit hole and found it was fun.

Review by Jonny
Pics by Darren
Reproduction of review and/or pictures only by prior written permission.