LIVE REVIEW: The riff comes down hard in Limelight as Triggerman bring it accompanied by Bosco Ramos and Hornets

THERE is no such thing as too many riffs - if you like you're rock and metal you want them in abundance. And, when Triggerman come to town the riffs rain down in a tsunami of musical terror that raises everyone's spirits.

And on Saturday, 21st May at The Distortion Project's Saturday celebration of metal the riffs were brought aplenty.

Opening the proceedings were Bosco Ramos, a two-piece (bass and drums) who delivered a fuzzed-out set, with distinctive leanings towards punk.

Their sound is a little like Oaf, without Larson's lengthy stand-up routines, a sort of post-punk fuzz sound that is not unlikeable, but may be a little full-on for some.

Full-on is something that Hornets understand and deliver with extra layers of heaviness. Ever-developing, ever pushing the boundaries of their sound. No, they aren't ever going to be a prog rock act, but it is refreshing to hear and see a band challenging themselves.

There is more of a stomp to some tracks, while others retain that dark marriage between Belfast punk and blackened metal. Continuous improvement should be a goal of any act, and Hornets are doing just that.

Then came the riff...

Triggerman really deserve a proper record deal, or at least global distro. They are that good.

Like a rumbling eight-legged beast from the opening track to the last Bap and co power through a set containing old favourites and new songs.

Opener 'The Drift' laid down the template for the set, a new song with an intro that built and built until it hit into full flow; sheer metal joy.

Another new track, 'Big John' has been aired a few times live, and already feels familiar. Of course, tracks like 'I Got The Lurgy', 'Hail To The River Gods' and 'Rise of the Woodsmen' are familiar to all Triggerman fans, and are greeted with obvious enthusiasm.

But what is the alchemy that the Triggers deploy? It might sound simple, but few can achieve that masterful mix of dirty rock 'n' roll, humorous story-telling, a big sound, and a rolling heavy load of riffs. It has almost become a cliché when talking about Triggerman to mention the riffs.

Therein is where the band achieve a groove; where lies a deep well to plumb for song structure and allow the breath within each track for melody to emerge.

The riff, does indeed hold sway.

Review by Jonny - Pictures by Darren McVeigh. Reproduction by express written permission only