LIVE REVIEW: Stormzone and A Little Bitter bust out new and old at the Diamond

SATURDAY nights are not, contrary to the mainstream, an evening for watching reality shows or Netflix and 'hugs'. They're nights for metal, beers and lovely mayhem.

In a sparsely populated Diamond Rock Club on Saturday (February 24th) A Little Bitter and Stormzone showed that no matter the circumstances, no matter what shit is on the gogglebox there is nothing better than a live show.

Being a double album launch made this show even more special as both bands had the chance to showcase their latest songs and parade their crowd pleasers.

Trio, A Little Bitter, were out to show off songs from 'Arrows' and barely put a foot wrong in kicking out their hard rock jams.

Whether it was the ball-busting title track off the new album, the heads down metal anthem 'Genghis' or the tender rendition of 'Twist Her' there was real poise and variety...and a bass instrumental, 'Diamonds' dedicated to DRC.

However, the renditions of 'Weekend Girl and 'Angel'' were simply outstanding - well observed and executed with aplomb.

Stormzone's tried and tested standards were for once, over-shadowed. While they had all in attendance singing along to the familiar it was the new tracks that smacked the place in the face, and battered the unsuspecting with a fresh, vibrant sound.

'Dark Hedges' is a wonderfully destructive song on the album, but live it has a vibrant, viciousness.

And, 'Cushy Glen' and the title track of the album 'Lucifer's Factory' forces the audience to attention.

Dare it be said, the new album's track will force many of the tried and trusted out of future Stormzone sets. 'In For The Kill' - the five piece declared they really at setting their metal phasers to not only kill but mutilate.

The two bands plying their trade on stage at the Diamond Rock Club have a verve and vitality that few can equal. Should they play anywhere near you go - just go and enjoy

Review by Jonathan Traynor
Pictures by Lizzie Torbitt

ALBUM REVIEW: A Little Bitter produce an album of tenderness and anger on the wonderful Arrows

GIVEN the lengthy gestation period for A Little Bitter's new album, 'Arrows', it is fair to say that this has been eagerly awaited by fans of the three-piece.

Has the wait been worth it? It has been worth every fucking second since 'New Dawn Evolution' was unleashed.

'Arrows' shows a band more mature, comfortable in what they produce, sure-footed in every note written and every lyric penned.

For example, if there is justice in the world, 'A Long Way Down' would be making the playlists of every rock radio station in the world, with its carefully crafted arrangement.

But, that's not to say that this album is without metallic muscle. Title track lulls listeners in with discordant harmonics before the band's inner DC is channelled and the bass line propels it into a full-scale classic roc assault with Jonathan Armstrong's spilling invective before a glorious ALB chorus.

This all makes this a difficult album to categorise. There are elements of hard rock, a touch of alt, a smattering of metal and balladic moments. And, that really is its strength, not stopping to consider fashion, trends or the bullshit around the music industry, just writing and playing from the heart, as on 'Caught In A Sorrow' sheer heartfelt beauty.

'Faith' is sure to be live-stalwart. The cynical words of other tracks are given over to hopes of better days, forgiveness and devotion. If Feeder ever hear this song they'll quit.

A Little Bitter have always exemplified musicianship, but on 'Arrows' they have taken it to the next level; balancing their playing, with clear separation. No instrument over-shadows another. Seamus Donnelly's bass lines roll along, adding the depth needed, while Darren Pilkington's drums have the right take between sensible playing and adding flourishes. Armstrong's playing is probably the best he has ever laid down on his six-string.

The tenderly tragic tale told in 'Weekend Girl' probably has the most poignant opening lines: "She gets dressed in a vodka haze, killing time just to waste her days til the weekend comes."

From the moment the opening harmonics leading up to verses that paint a downfall and tragedy, an onomatopoeic, restrained solo the pain is painted for those lost. Tears in the eyes stuff.

The child counting in 'Diamonds' bass propelled intro is the suitable jarring note after that, and its mighty meandering path of an instrumental that nod to heroes of the band. A suitable break from the emotional intensity that drips off the rest of the album, and a worthy tribute to the Diamond Rock Club.

This is a nearly flawless set of nine songs. The only flaw is that it leaves the listener wanting more and more.

Closer, 'Ghost' has such depth, a perfect counterpoint to the opening rage of 'Feathers', displaying a band that knows how to arrange their songs in set to allow anyone to wallow in its glory.

Arrows has set the benchmark high for 2018 and what's more it has the quality to endure for many a year - or at least until the next A Little Bitter album...

Review by Jonathan Traynor

Arrows will be launched at the Diamond Rock Club on February 24th, along with Stormzone's album launch

LIVE REVIEW: Metal2TheMasses first semi final pumps out the jams in the Voodoo

WITH five bands vying for a slot in the final of Northern Ireland's Metal2TheMasses, and a chance to play at Bloodstock, Belfast's Voodoo was given a sound thrashing with acts, all with their eyes set on the prize.

Indeed the competition was fierce for the three places in the May final, with many bringing friends and family along to bolster their chances in the audience vote (votes are 50% judges, 50% audience).

First to grace the stage were A Little Bitter, who were among those to début a new track amidst their set. With familiar melodic metal punch, reminiscent of mid-80s heft, but taking on board contemporary vibes they maintained a punchy effort throughout.

Within a few tracks the floor filled up - partly with Seamy wandering around, bass in hand. Among their heavier tracks Genghis was inflammatory with its mix of attack and soft threatening words. vastly underrated this outing proves there is an appetite for more releases from A Little Bitter.

Rosco's Riot version of the heavier end of the rock spectrum had their fans to the fore as they rolled out their riffage.

Tim's towering presence gives the act much stage presence as the band performed a solid set, with only the curious presence of an albeit brief drum solo questionable. Overall a sound that tries to combine the 90s with earlier periods of rock.

When you experience a technical fault mid-set, and have your guitarist holding his head in his hands many an act would have thrown in the towel. Not so for So Long Until The Séance (SLUTS). They took it in their stride (including the bass line of Grease's Summer Loving to alleviate the silence).

The schlock horror metal, including dark pop, had a real edge of humour. Great tunes with a nod and a wink to the crowd about the absurdist nature of the lyrical content. Sure, some may compare them a little to the Murderdolls but there is something uniquely Northern Irish about their take on the murderous laughter within.

With energy in abundance Lock Horns brought complex rhythms, full on wall of sound and windmill headbanging that had their set list levitating.

There is a primal sense of metal within their progressive bent, with an awesome sense of power pounding throughout their set. That said they are not afraid to add in some softer vocal moments as part of their musical tapestry. Within the overall heft there are some deft touches.

The emergence of Shrouded over the last 18 months has been phenomenal in terms of stage craft and musical dexterity. Melodic death metal is not the easiest genre for anyone to pull off with the intertwined lead lines from Dani and Shane as Jordy and Scott lay down an aural volcano of rhythm.

While many struggle to lay down their deathly mark on this genre across Europe and beyond this iteration of Shrouded have moved from bantam weight contenders to heavyweight bruisers vying for the belt.

With the five acts giving their all James Loveday was tasked with the enviable task of totting up the votes on his trusty abacus...many an accountant would have struggled with the complexity of the scoring system that applies to Metal2TheMasses.

As the weary crowd wandered home along Fountain Street the final calculation was complete. And, the three making their way to the final now have to muster up their best in front of Bloodstock's Simon Hall in four weeks time.

Proceeding to the final are:
SLUTS, Lock Horns and Shrouded

Review by Jonathan Traynor

Pictures by Darren McVeigh

LIVE REVIEW: Heat four of Northern Ireland's Metal2TheMasses packs Limelight

EACH week of this year's Metal2TheMasses has seen growing numbers attending, and the response from the crowd has been impressive - reacting to what they see on stage.

With voting split 50/50 between the judges and the audience sometime the acts that brings enough friends and family along can sway the matter, but on other occasions the sheer level of performance is such that everyone is brought along.

And, sometimes stage experience can make a difference...

Rookies Gozer The Traveller opened the Heat with a set of tracks that verged from stoner through to more commercial material that echoed QOTSA. A little static on stage they nevertheless gave the tunes all the space they needed.

A few more refinements to their set and more stage experience will help Gozer The Traveller tune up their sound, and decide what suits them best in terms of balancing their tracks.

Experience isn't a problem for A Little Bitter, and they proved on the Limelight2 stage why they are one of the most under-rated bands on the circuit. Energy, enthusiasm and musicianship melded with tunes that are both catchy and heavy.

Audaciously throwing in a new track ALB bounded through the set, live arrangements and meaty melodies played with a verve and a vivacity that many other bands could learn from.

From the melodic metal to the blackened death metal as Shrouded emerged, donned in cowls and determined to slay all in their path. This is a young band that has grown up very quickly in the space of a few months - and in recent months they seem to have set their sights and goals ever higher.

The melody within the madness was in twin guitar lines and the grunt was throughout in a set that displayed sheer excellence with added menace.

Munro closed proceedings with a technical metal set that exuded much promise. The precision of the playing and a set of songs that have been crafted well bodes well for this three-piece.

Like the openers more stage experience will help hone what is a band that deserves to gain more exposure as they push the progressive elements further.

Overall, Heat Four of Metal2TheMasses proved the diversity of the challengers for a Bloodstock slot, and showed that there remains an appetite to see bands push themselves. And, all for a fiver to get in, to enjoy...and vote.

Qualifying for the semi-finals are Shrouded and A Little Bitter.

Review by Jonathan Traynor
Pictures by Jamie Hunter