LIVE REVIEW: Metal stars align as Darkest Era, Terminus and Stereo Nasty bring the noise to town

THERE are moments when the stars align and something delivers a true delight - when the Metal Gods smile upon a line-up and deliver surprise after surprise, left hooks, upper cuts and every punch landed with a precision that leaves the audience ready for more.

When Darkest Era announced their headline tour around UK and Ireland in support of their album 'Severance'  it was also certain that they would bring a stunning performance to the stage, as anyone who saw their support slot with Amon Amarth will testify.

What could not be predicted was that James Loveday's Distortion Project would bring together support acts that revel in the tag 'metal'.

Let's not split hairs about it - when metal is delivered like this then it is glorious.

Stereo Nasty were up from Dublin...and remarkably for only their second appearance as a band they laid it down as only true adherents of metal can.

Their experience in previous bands tells as they lay down licks that harken back to the glory days when Accept and their ilk were almost mainstream troubling the charts.

Adrian's guitar lays down a powerhouse of sound, while Fran and Rud nail down the rolling thunder that enables Mick to express his King Diamond/Udo inner self.

Revelatory in their straightforward power and precision -with a nice flavour of Grand Magus - stand out track was 'Black Widow'. We're not sure what was going on with the spiked shoulders of the cut-offs but the music was fine.

Terminus (NI) proved to have a stage presence that suits their blend of NWOBHM, Mercyful Fate and a liberal dash of Hell.

Tight as a shark's arse Gavin and Paul alternate licks and solos, while David (bass) and the other David on drums kept it nailed down tight - even if Mr McCallum revealed his metal chops outside his War Iron and Fuckhammer duties, pulling poses to accompany his playing.

James has enormous stage presence, and while he cajoled the audience throughout to join in familiar songs there was also threat of a new release....

Concluding with last year's split release 'Centaurean' it is obvious that the audience and band are feeding off each other and many down the front know each and every word.

Terminus have the opportunity now to extend their reach, as their appeal is apparent to all.

Darkest Era have nothing to prove any more.  From the early days when they went by the name of Nemesis they screamed potential.

With growth and evolution the band have taken all the lessons of tours and time in the studio to consolidate their sound and approach.

With new album 'Severance' receiving critical acclaim the balanced set showcases new tracks and by  now familiar songs from 'The Last Caress of Light'.

'Sorrows Boundless Realm' was among the stand-out track with Krum flexing his vocal chords, as he did throughout the set. Ade Mulgrew produced peerless solos throughout, and when Sarah Wieghell joined in the harmony sections the Celtic influences were such that it was if ancient myths were alive, mists of Fermanagh's loughs could almost be smelt above the sweat and beer.

Daniel O'Toole's bass was an undercurrent of power, while Cameron Ahslund-Glass drumming veered from metronomic to runs filling all parts of the kit as required.

Indeed without Daniel and Cameron's powerful rhythms the ability of Ade, Sarah and Krum to entice the audience into their world of tales and wonderment. The nods to Thin Lizzy and Maiden are apparent, but the aroma of melodic death metal provides the powerful stomp to the overall sound.

Concluding with the duo of tracks 'The Last Caress of Light' and 'The Morrigan' the audience were enraptured, singing along, pumping fists and throwing horns Darkest Era are beginning to achieve the success they certainly deserve.

Review by Jonny

Photographs by MetalplanetBelfast

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Reproduction by written permission only

COMIN' ATCHA: Darkest Era back in Northern Ireland after a UK tour - and hitting Belfast on Saturday

THE past few months have been something of an upward trajectory for Darkest Era as they toasted the release of their latest album, completed a brief set of slots with Amon Amarth and are wrapping up a UK tour in what they say is their "adopted hometown".

Krum bellowing out
ancient tales

And, on Saturday October 4th at Limelight2 fans will have the chance to see how this has all come together with a headlining slot as part of The Distortion Project's regular RockD.

There is no doubt that Darkest Era have grown and developed - new album 'Severance' shows that there is even more depth to the band than on their super first full length, Last Caress of Light'.

Earlier in the year guitarist Ade Mulgrew spoke to us about the progress the band has been making. You can read it here for more details.

But the revelation for many was at Amon Amarth when they came on stage with real intent. [Review is here.]

Ade in full guitar hero pose

As they prepate for the Belfast show on Saturday Ade told us what it means to them:

"It's been almost 2 and a half years since our last headline show in Belfast," he said. "It's been a long time coming and we're thrilled to have such killer supports with us.

"Real heavy metal is truly alive and this bill shows it. And to finish our first headline tour in our adopted hometown is an honour."

Doors open at 5pm in the Limelight2. Support comes from Stereo Nasty and Terminus, so don't hang around, get down, hand your £8 to Mr Loveday and get set for three great sets.

Below is the official video for Beyond The Grey Veil, the lyric video for Sorrows Boundless Realm and the video from what is by now a classic DE track. The Morrigan.

Interview by Jonny

Severance is out now on Cruz Del Sur Records.

 

 

 

COMIN' ATCHA: Comedy, heavy metal's history, hetrosexual transvestitism, and the Black Box - what can go wrong...

IT has been claimed that heavy metal has the ability to laugh at itself - whether it be Manowar, Spinal Tap, pouting black metal wannabes or the ridiculousness of some of the stage props we know that outside the genre it's laughable; and we also know that to us it makes sense.


We can be swept away with Amon Amarth's stage show and Viking credentials as surely as we can join the drinking fest that is Alestorm's silly but wonderful Pirate Metal.


Which makes our beloved artform all the more ripe for stand-up comedy. Tomorrow (October 3rd) sees "one of our own" present his "History of Heavy Metal" in Belfast's Black Box (doors 9:30) as part of the Belfast Belly Laughs comedy festival.


Andrew O'Neill is the comedian who is presenting this history in a combination of stand-up and riffs from his beloved Flying V.


Mr O'Neill is described as a heterosexual transvestite, vegan, amateur occultist, and metalhead. Had that last description not been in place his credentials would not be up for matching metal and comedy: but he qualifies on the basis that he really is "one of our own".


Given Mr O'Neill also plays in a steampunk band "The Men That Will Not Be Blamed For Nothing" which is preparing audiences to:


"Expect a robot Sid Vicious covering Slayer in an 1877 East End Music Hall: a murky mix of Doctor Who, Doctor Watson and Doctored History. Not for the faint hearted or those of a delicate disposition."


But Mr O'Neill is here to tell the "History of Heavy Metal". For those not setting off to see Madball this is the perfect chance to evaluate this jester's history of our dark art - though I suspect that he may be challenged about Norn Iron's place in the pantheon of metallic madness...


Tickets are available at the outrageous price of £7 - and let's hope that Mr O'Neill can hang about to Saturday to see Darkest Era, Terminus and Stereo Nasty at RockD in Limelight2....

LIVE REVIEW: Amon Amarth & Darkest Era - From The Viking Pit

MIGHTY Odin may have gazed with his one eye upon Belfast's Limelight1 on August 12th when the echoes of the heroic warriors spirits from Valhalla resounded like Loki's steed hooves flying across the roof of the world and Thor splitting the leaden skies with storms of metal.

The Celtic metal warriors who are Darkest Era opened up for the mighty Viking horde that are Amon Amarth - both with whirlwinds of riffs and unapologetic heavy metal.

And, what is there to apologise for when songs are so mighty, so deeply steeped in ancient oral traditions with allegorical undertows ripping the unwary from their comfort zone.

The last time I saw Darkest Era was when they opened for Wintersun and they left quite an impression then. Now, they are even coming through stronger, cohesive and cracking skulls with their pure take on the classic rock/metal of Maiden and Lizzy with melodic death metal twists.

Krum leads from the front, powering through releases new and old.  'An Ancient Fire Burns', 'The Morrigan' and 'Sorrow's Boundless Realm' all stamping all over the gathering crowd with tunefulness and rolling thunder from Cameron Ashlund-Glass' drums and Daniel O'Toole's bass.

Ade Mulgrew and Sarah Weighall lay down a superb set of inter-twined solos and rhythm parts - more evidence of why Darkest Era deserve to adorn many, many more metal fans collections.



With a relatively quick turnaround the stage was transformed to an homage to Amon Amarth's mythical landscape - replete with jagged 'rocks' and rune filled mini-monoliths.

From the opener 'Father of the Wolf' to closer 'Pursuit of Vikings' the Swedish five-piece proved that they are amongst the most exciting live bands.

It only takes a moment to suspend disbelief, plunge into the pit and soak up their tumultuous songs.

This was my first experience of being pummelled by Amarth - and I'd gladly succumb again.

It's not just that they put on a phenomenal live performance; it's not just because Johan Hegg is an engaging frontman; nor is it because they are tremendous musicians; rather it is because the sum of the parts comes together in one ominously glorious moment in time.

As a unit Amon Amarth are solid, tight and well-rounded, each playing their part. Mikkonen and Soderberg are linked by an ethereal bond as they use their six-string weapons to soar through solos, rip through rhythmic melodies and tear down any remaining inhibitions in the Limelight1

'Deceiver of Gods' and 'Cry of the Blackbirds' are majestic as Anderson (drums) and Lundstrom (bass) leaden the night as 'Guardians of Asgard' delivers as if Mjölnir had been wielded to split landscapes of Northern Ireland.

'Blood Eagle' saw the venue bathed - literally and metaphorically - in the life force of Vikings, while 'Embrace of the Endless Ocean' brought the narrative of the ocean bondsman and sailor to life.

By the time the encore of 'Twilight of The Thunder God' and 'Pursuit of Vikings' ended the crowd had responded to every exhortation of Hegg...and the very All-Father himself raised a toast to Amon Amarth and Belfast.

 

Review by Zakk
Sub-editing and additional reporting by Jonny

Photos courtesy of Darren @ Metalplanet

All rights and copyright of contributors reserved - reproduction of text and/or photographs by permission only

Cultures colliding in harmony - Darkest Era and Wintersun rock the Limelight

A COMMON theme between Northern Ireland's Darkest Era and Finland's Wintersun is their musical roots in death and black metal; but the expression of those musical roots also speaks to the roots in their country's of origin.

Both are unremitting powerful on record, and live they step up to another level; Celtic roots from Fermanagh with Darkest Era and the Finish power from Helsinki of Darkest Era.

Darkest Era erupted on to the stage with rejuvenated line-up in the rhythm section, powering from an intro from the Final Fantasy game the band reached new levels - their recent appearances at the likes of the Ragnarock festival have tightened the sound.

The twin guitar attack works with Sarah and Ade harmonising and complementing a full-on assault on the senses. Despite the cramped stage they managed to maintain composure and much headbanging.

Krum's engaging personality often belies the sheer power of his vocals; whether it was the new tracks aired from the forthcoming album, or standards like The Morigan or Ancient Fire the sheer delivery took the performance to a new level.

With the room well and truly warmed up by Darkest Era and sweltering temperatures inside and out, a tight turnaround saw Wintersun on stage bang on time, and inspiring an almost cult-like adulation amongst many in attendance.

While guitarist Jari Mäenpää has always been known through his work with Ensiferum in the past, what began as a side project has blossomed into something more significant. Where the adulation comes from for a band seemingly removed from the so-called metal traditions is a mystery to many, but it was there in evidence on Ormeau Avenue.

One tradition the band have adopted is to briefly video each audience during the intro for their Youtube channel and Belfast was no different.

What Wintersun have brought to the metal table is a range of influences and a technical prowess, bound up in intricate song structures and almost complete disregard for taking the conventional route.

Other bands pitch a song at the audiences, but Wintersun pitch a concept, wrapped in an delicate aural blast.

Playing almost the entire Time 1 album they kicked off with Sons of Winter and Stars, Wintersun stormed through increasingly complex songs, with the highlight being Time and Winter Madness.

The detail in the playing - which at times was blurringly fast - was complemented by an increasing use of pedals to alter and enhance the guitar sounds, allowing the songscapes from the album to blossom.

Rounding off with Starchild Wintersun proved that despite the detail and attention needed to enjoy them on the album, live they added an element of participation and genuine conviction.

Whether Wintersun can further develop on the adulation remains to be seen when they finally release Time 2, but it seems that a fair proportion from the Belfast's audience on 20th June will be eagerly awaiting their return.

Wintersun and Darkest Era proved that with a common root, their divergent geographical locations can provide a different take on those roots, but also bind

Northern Ireland's answer to Amon Amarth

ARE Darkest Era Northern Ireland's answer to Amon Amarth? Now before you raise a steeply arched eyebrow at such a bold claim, hold on to your cup of ale, still that whiskey that was about to caress your lips with its golden bite, and draw closer to where an ancient fire burns...

Amon Amarth draw deepy from the well of ancient Scandanavian culture, using the past and present influences. Before 'With Odin on Our Side' they were struggling to break out of the niche media and audiences. All that has changed and now they are an international metal force, still with their roots in the fjords and dim winter nights.

In Ireland, north and south, bands have became comfortable expressing their gaelic roots (and for pedants Northern Ireland and the province of Ulster led the resurgence on the Gael influence long before it was politicised thanks to dissenter presbyterianism). Perhaps it is the peace process that has led this comfortable expression of Irish culture in metal. Perhaps it is because all true rock and metal sees religion and sectarianism as interruptions to drinking time. Perhaps it is because Thin Lizzy and Rory Gallagher led the way...

The crop of bands with a tint of the Celtic culture in their metal is growing ever stronger, from Primordial and Waylander through to the likes of Mael Mordha, who kept proceedings going last night in Belfast's Limelight after opener Celtachor.

As co-headliners, Mael Mordha entertained with their tin whistle take on journeys through misty swamps and dark journeys, where the gods and goddesses of ancient Ireland bring forth an air of menace and an air of joy in proceedings. A surpride Bathory cover of Vinterblot off a forthcoming tribute CD raised the proverbial horns.

Amon Amarth claimed in their song Cry of the Blackbirds that they had routed the Irish, but bemoaned the fact that the king of the Irish had slipped away before total victory. Well the kings and queens of the Celts have risen from the mystical lochs and byways of Enniskillen, where tales of far off times seem all too close as the tendrils of fog slip across the land of bogs; where a misstep can leave you in a place where ancient, vengeful princesses await the unwary traveller...

From this land emerge Darkest Era, a land where you can be just one step away from a Heathen Burial.

Recently back from a piratical cruise with the Alestorm rogues, a journey described pre-show by vocalist Krum as both "scary and exciting"; the experience has tightened the Darkest Era set and performance.

The interrlinked work across the rhythm section of Lisa and Dave nails down a landscape that allows Ade and Sarah to punch out the celtic chords and runs that emerge like Lizzy's Emerald on steroids.

With the Last Caress of Light album to the fore, Krum is ever more confident taking the audience on the lyrical journey, where a matriarchical ancient culture kept the dreams alive of re-birth.

Standing out  in the set were An Ancient Fire Burns and title track The Last Caress of Light Before the Dark. But there can be no doubt that set closer and album opener The Morrigan rose head and shoulders before many a Celtic contender. As for the Vikings, they'd really stand no chance if there was to be a re-match.

Is it then a bold assertion to compare Darkest Era with Amon Amarth? Amarth are still to approach the zenith of their career. They are on a climb. Darkest Era? Their still down the slopes, but any realistic observer will see that the upper slopes may still be a way off, but the rumbles and stirrings are shaking the Trolls from their dark Scandanavian slumber, and the Trolls are shaking lest they have To Face The Black tide that surely must be the rightful ascent of Darkest Era.

Dark prophets in their own land

THEY say that prophets are not always listened to in their own land; and it is a land here in Northern Ireland that has been riven with strife for millenia, and a land where the heartbeat of music has never been far from the ears of its inhabitants.

This is a land where the fife and drum were once a call to arms, now laid out as threadbare excuse for antagonism; a land where the gospel songs mingle with the folk strains of nascent nationalism caught in webs of sickly sentamentality.

But in this land a heart of rock, cold to the mainstream, but warming the faithful, beat steadily in the darkest times. When the impetuous fires of punks rebellion burnt a swathe through the norm they left a musical landscape ripe for rock; and from the fumblings of that scene were born the children of metal.

That evolution has come forth with a host of talent, but too often the prophets of this metal have been, like some biblical relic of a man, unheralded in their own land.

Darkest Era have been bubbling under the wider Northern Ireland radar for some time, at the same time reaching out to wider and wider audiences - the culture, the torment and the majesty of Darkest Era's melancholia bears the hallmarks of the great Irish rock and metal bands, from Thin Lizzy through to Primordial.


We explored this connection when we caught up with Darkest Era's guitarist Ade Mulgrew ahead of the band's spiritual homecoming to The Limelight for Saturday's gig with Mael Mordha. Are the Irish folk subtelties of Darkest Era's music hitting home beyond the shores of these isles?

"We've always had a stronger following in mainland Europe and beyond. Irish folk definitely isn't something that has a 'cool' image here, while people from other countries seem to be a little more open to the cultural influences woven through the music," said Ade.

"Having said that, I think audiences here connect with it as well. In our music it is quite subtle really; it manifests itself in a kind of melancholic folkish kind of way. But certainly we think audiences outside Ireland appreciate these influences a little more, at least that's what I've noticed in reviews. They pick up on a certain kind of atmosphere and style of melody that they attribute to band from this island it seems."

And there is a melancholic thread that runs through Darkest Era's music, a thread that is woven through much of modern Irish metal, both north and south of the border. Ade takes up the theme:

"It's been said before that there is a kind of melancholia present in Northern Irish/Irish metal that is unique. I think it's fair to say that bands like Mael Mordha, Primordial, Altar of Plagues and Mourning Beloveth have a certain atmosphere in common.

"Obviously melancholic metal isn't solely a characteristic of bands from here, but there is definitely an undefinable misery working it's way into the music somewhere. This is present in our own lyrics and music too I guess, in terms of the kind of language and imagery present in our lyrics and the kind of atmosphere that we try and create."


The first time Belfastmetalheadsreuntied came across Darkest Era it was at an all ages gig in Belfast's Black Box. Darkest Era's singer Krum was leading a ragged mellé of youngsters from the heart of a circle pit.

"That seems like such a long time ago now," said Ade. "[Since then] our journey has been like any other band; one of artistic development and personal growth. Our songwriting has matured a lot since then; we're a lot more confident in what we're doing both in the rehearsal room and when we take to the stage.

"We have a stronger identity now and we are a lot more focussed. I guess a few more people are paying attention to us too now that we've got an album out on Metal Blade. In general I would say the band has moved forward at a steady, sustainable pace. We've had time to reflect on things as we went along and now we are especially driven to take the band to where we want to go."

Recently Darkest Era were treading the boards with a UK tour with Scottish mentalist pirate metallers Alestorm. Apart from seeing the right way to quaff a quart of rum, we wanted to know just what the band learned from the experience.

"This was our first real tour, with 14 shows in a row across the UK, and as it turns out you really find out whether you are worth your salt as a live act in this kind of situation," said Ade "Thankfully we rose to the challenge and put in some really solid performances on that tour.

"Touring is a totally different beast than one off weekend shows or festival shows; it has it's own rhythm and it's own set of challenges and you have to be prepared to meet them.

"On this tour we were playing to large audiences, 90% of whom had never heard our music before. so you have to really work hard to win audiences over and put an energetic show across. We were using the local front of house engineer at each show, so it was a challenge to perform each night to the same standard despite varying levels of sound quality on stage and so on. We are a much stronger live act after that tour, we feel. We learned a lot about our craft."

With the Metal Blade release of Last Caress of Light impressing critics and fans alike, and a tidy video for 'An Ancient Fire Burns' out, it begs the question of what next, for this band that are sneaking their way towards wider acclaim and attendant success, after Saturday's Limelight slot:

"We are very much focussing on writing after this show. We are entering the studio later in the year to record album 2, of which we will be announcing details soon hopefully.

"We've done a lot of work since the album came out in the background to help build the band; but now nothing else matters apart from writing songs and making an album. It's liberating in a way to be back at this point again; some of the tracks on the album are a few years old and our next record will be all new songs written over a much shorter period of time. We're excited about embarking on the creative once process again."

And that is surely good news for each and every fan of local metal. It may have taken a while but Darkest Era's journey has been one that has marched steadily upwards. From the early self-produced Nemesis demo in 2006 to the poise and confidence displayed on Last Caress of Light the drums are sounding a welcome to Darkest Era, a welcome that should be heard more and more in their homeland and further afield.

Darkest Era appear in Belfast's Limelight on Saturday, 28th April with Mael Mordha and Celtachor. Doors are at 5pm and tickets are yours on the door for a measley £7 - well worth it for such melancholic grandeur.

Bacchus stalking Ormeau Avenue

THE god Bacchus was partying in Ormeau Avenue,  a pint or six were downed before getting his groove on and headbanging like a bastard...

Wizards of Firetop Mountain, By Any Means and Orange Goblin had Bacchus down and dirty, hot and sweaty as he enjoined in the ancient rites of partying Spring and Airbrake metal style...

At this point one would normally see your faithful reviewer detail the setlists, the attitude and other esoteric ramblings. But last night was just about joining Bacchus, arms linked, heads banging and pints a plenty.

Pleasently surprised by Wizards of Firetop Mountain, battered by By Any Means and slayed by Orange Goblin...

To hell with reviewing, last night was just about pure metal fun.

Recovered now it is time to get my serious head on. Interview with Darkest Era to come before their 28th April date in The Limelight and a review of the rather tasty eps from Baleful Creed to write up later...may have to eat first and chug some refreshing brews to inspire the paws to type something meaningful...Oi! Bacchus! Where'd you leave that bottle?

That would be an ‘eavy spring programme then...

THE daffodils are emerging tentatively through the drying soil, and lambs are bounding through fields, self-tenderising for the barbecue, and the Ormeau Road is being blitzed with some ‘eavy fuggin’ metal.

Yep, The Distortion Project’s spring programme has moved into high gear with April and May looking like a sonic wasteland of vibes to smash any sunny smiley thoughts that might have been pushing through your winter gummed eyes.

Last week alone we saw Darkest Era launch their début platter. Have to confess we (as in me and my son) were disappointed to miss this one, as Darkest Era performed way back at the first No Fake ID Required* gig. Krum electrified the crowd by plunging into the midst of a crowd of sweaty moshing teenagers.

Good luck to them, but as if that wasn’t enough to prepare you for the clocks going forward then hold on to your wee satanic cotton socks, because...well the line-up tells all.

In no particular order...Honey For Christ launch their new album ‘The Cruelty of Great Expectations’ on April 9th; “experimental-terror-metal noise heroes “ Today is the Day" play the Spring and Airbrake the night before; Hellbastard bring the ‘Bastards over Europe’ tour line-up to Auntie Annies on the 10th; and then we move into May…

Soilent Green land in the Limelight on 11th May, Welsh deathheads Desecration pop up in the same place the next day; and then we have the small matter of My Dying Bride on 22nd May at the Spring and Airbrake.

Look I could go on endlessly about support acts, ticket prices and availability, but as a former full-time journalist and current part-time chancer (well I work in PR, what do you expect!) save me the bother and head over to The Distortion Project and read, as they say, all about it!

Anyone else wanting gigs, events, metal weddings, black metal bar mitzvas, grindcore internments, or thrash metal formals mentioned email me. [PS – we also do album reviews!]


*No Fake ID Required was a name that a crowd of ne-er do wells used for two all-ages hard rock and metal gigs. I came up with the name when we were ensconced on sofas at Ossia Music School. As Paul, Stephen, Alli and Laura were all present there is collective ownership of the name. You may, of course, want to use it, but only with written permission from all of the above, your request being sent in your own blood Manowar style. Or send us a large amount of unmarked, non-sequential £50 notes in a brown envelope, which we will split and donate to the continuing profits of Jagermeister and Jack Daniels.
You may have noticed that included in this article are some links to the acts, which go to album links or MP3 download links in Amazon.com. Please do not feel obliged to buy from any of these links, but if you do Mr Arthur Guinness and Mr Jack Daniels will have your undying thanks. My liver on the other hand...

All hail Norn Iron

Per head of population Northern Ireland must be one of the most creative places on this forsaken ball of a planet in terms of hard rock and heavy metal.

And finally someone has noticed. Not only has HMV rated our very own The Answer as a top ten tip for 2009, but now the mainstream magzines have picked up on our tiny wee blast of creativity. Classic Rock's cover CD not only includes The Answer's Highwater or Hell from forthcoming Everyday Demons album, but also includes a track from Million$Reload (whose progress we've been following on this site for some time...). Inside the mag rates Million$Reload as potentially following The Answer's progress.

It seems that every once and a while journos notice our wee country.

Heaven (and Hell) help us if they ever really pay attention to what Norn Iron has been and is continuing to produce.

Asides from the aforementioned The Answer and Million$Reload let's recap...Gary Moore, SLF, The Undertones, Therapy?, Ash, Sweet Savage as just some names going for a wee while and among the latest crop...Gama Bomb, Soundstone, Residual Effect, A Little Bitter, Sinocence, Waylander, Sorrowfall, Escape Fails, Ricky Warwick, Payola, Fireland, Darkest Era, hell there really are too many to mention (and no doubt you'll let me know which ones I haven't mentioned)

The hard rock, punk and metal output from Northern Ireland has been too long denegrated, sometimes from within. Time to recognise and hail all that stand loud and proud for the cause and keep on keeping the faith when faced with apathy from within and from outside these shores!

(Although goodness only knows what the fuck will happen if half the bands get signed...Jager sales spiral in the six counties, PSNI called in to deal with outbreak of rampant egos, NI Human Rights Commission launches report on metal clubs discriminating against emos....)

Slightly off topic...but all hail FUEL!

Slightly off normal topic this post, but all hail to the young people led project in Enniskillen called FUEL. I was there today as part of my 'day job' as Media and Public Affairs Officer for the Children's Commissioner and met up with a group of young people determined to help themselves by setting up a project they run.

Welcoming the Commissioner amid TV cameras and press photographers local act Setoria [think that's the right spelling!] débuted, followed by a hilarious duet singing about being ginger! (that has to go on Youtube!

And who was in the middle of it all lending a helping hand but Krum of Darkest Era!

Great to see that west of the Bann the shining beacon of metal burns fiercely and more to the point under 18s proving once again they're not wasters intent on causing crap, but rather contributing and rocking out in a safe, healthy environment. All hail FUEL, keep it rockin' keepin' it real!

Saturday reminder

In case you're doing nothing exciting tomorrow/today RockD presents Corral and Gacy's Threads at Katy Daly's for the tiny sum of £2.50 from 3.30pm....and after that there's the BNB Promotions Rosetta Bar End of Summer Bash with Celtic Legacy, Sorrowfall, Darkest Era, Fierce, Fireland, Valediction and Decayor. Doors 7pm Admission £ 5 Enjoy.

And there's a drinks promo... The first 25 people in the door get a free drink of the new Tennants 1885 Lager.Carslberg are also giving away an Ipod Nano at the end of the night. Everyone who buys a carlsberg will be entered into the draw, winner gets picked from a hat at the end of the night

Times: Celtic legacy 12.20 to 1.30 Sorrowfall 11.25 to 12.05 Darkest Era 10.30 to 11.10 Fierce 9.30 to 10.15 Fireland 8.45 to 9.15 Valediction 8.00 to 8.30 Decayor 7.15 to 7.45 Doors 7pm

I'll miss out on the RockD event and won'tbe up to the Rosetta until about 9ish...still time enough to bang some heads, rock out etc:

Half sans bar, half avec bar...cunning ploy!

Come Saturday, November 8th there's a novel wee event happening at Belfast's Black Box: two gigs in one day. The half and half deal will see an afternoon 'dry' all ages show...and then in the evening ID will definitely be required when the bar opens...

Sorrowfall and Darkest Era are lined up so far to play both events. More details soon.

Summer ends...hell awaits...say goodbye to August in style

As we prepare the draw the blight that has been a washed out summer to a close, we can look forward to harkening darkening nights with a Rosetta line-up chock full of dark intent.

BNB promotions have laid on an End of Summer bash that will see Celtic Legacy, Sorrowfall, Darkest Era, Fierce, Fireland, Valediction and Decayor lay waste to the Rosie's venerable stage on August 30th (doors 7pm, £5 in)

As if that wasn't enough there's a drinky poo promo. First 25 people staggering up the stairs will get a free drink, new Tennants 1885 Lager.

Carslberg are also giving away an Ipod Nano at the end of the night. Everyone who buys a Carlsberg will be entered into the draw, winner gets picked from a hat at the end of the night.

Carlsberg don't do gigs, but if they did...

Blaze at the Rosie

Thanks to Dale for reminding me to post that A Little Bitter will be supporting Blaze Bayley on his Irish jaunt in October. On 9th October Blaze and A Little Bitter will be joined by Darkest Era and Fireland at the Rosetta. For £15 it's a killer line-up!

More gig dates

In case the already hectic schedule of gigs ain't enough for you...Saturday sees Stand-up Guy with Rest and Countervela play the Limelight (£4 from 4pm)...then on 7th February it's Queens of the Stone Age at the King's Hall...on the 8th you can walk down nostalgia's alleys when Nazareth play the Spring & Aibrake...then Triggerman's unique preacher metal touches down with No Grace Given at Katy Daly's (a snip at £2) on the 9th...the next night the Smashing Pumpkins are at the King's Hall...on the 13th Chrome Hoof play The Limelight...Deft Leppard rock out The Empire on the 16th February...a mere 24 hours later Dillinger Escape Plan play the Spring & Airbrake...MSG touch down on the 20th...Tygers of Pan Tang are in Derry on the 22nd and Spring & Airbrake on the 23rd...the same night when a few hours earlier Darkest Era launch their CD with support from Runecaster in Katy Daly's...Overoth, Devil Makes Three and Abbandon Incarnate make up a triumvirate of metal the next night at the Spring & Airbrake...Jimmy Eat World's got a sold-out show at St George's Market on the 26th...then March dawns...Fish and much more.

Now if there's not something to keep you rockin' in that lot you can officially declare yourself dead!