LIVE REVIEW: Metal 2 The Masses: Heat Three live revie

A DAMP chilly night on Belfast’s Fountain Street was no match for the hot powerful metal that was giving everyone shelter within the confines of Voodoo under the watchful eye of The Distortion Project’s own James Loveday.

Tonight was Heat Three of the clash of metal on metal for Metal2TheMasses, with four bands stepping up on their quest to find a place at Bloodstock 2018.

The first into the fray was Indominus, melodic death metal merchants from the Belfast area.

They had a hard, heavy and thunderous set with thrumming riffage and growling vocals full of menace to let the crowd know who they were.

While there was some movement from the band members, the bassist was a centre point banging off into the crowd every so often with an energy that helped stir up the headbangers there for a good night. They delivered a good set, if only slightly offset by drowned out vocals, but a great effort and well received.

Next up was Acid Age, who interestingly introduced the crowd to the intricacies of thrash fiddling (or
violin for those slightly more cultured).

Eyebrows were raised but this soon changed to delight as this strange combination worked well.

The band were definitely enjoying themselves on stage and on the floor as the singer joined the moshers from time to time. The crowd were really getting into the set and there was even audience participation with a metaller given a mike to sing along – delivering a fair performance himself. They gave a rhythmically diverse performance with some excellent heavy rhythm and blues in the last song.

Thunderwolf, a band from Armagh, came on next and the floor was quite obviously packed now. What was going to happen now? Well, what happened was a very tight band, with fantastic stage presence and interaction with the audience, delivered the best set of the night. By a mile.

No disservice to any of the other bands, but Thunderwolf were fantastic. They rocked the place with melodic heavy riffage, great clear vocals, and songs that got everyone moshing and headbanging like demented demons. They really made even the jaded metallers there stop and take notice. If Iron Maiden did thrash, they would be called Thunderwolf.

With their pumping drums, aggressive melodic bass riffs, screaming and chugging guitars they would fit perfectly performing on screen in the likes of Altered Carbon or Blade Runner. They absolutely nailed it.

And to finish off the night came Wardomized, grindcore from the Belfast/Lisburn area, giving all they got in front of a still animated and enthused crowd of moshers.

They had an aggressive energy that did not stop throughout their set along with yet more audience participation. Heavy growling vocals, pounding drums, heavy bass and melodic guitar swaying between lightning fast and slow produced a cacophony of thrashing kept the moshers happy.

All four bands delivered their own great performances, though there was one clear winner, Thunderwolf. Also joining them in the next heat is Acid Age.

The fourth heat of M2TM will be at Voodoo on Saturday, 3 March featuring PERIAPT
RULE OF SIX, RUSTY TASTE OF SWEETNESS and SKYPILOT.

Review by Ivor Whitten

LIVE REVIEW: Snocence blast all into metal oblivion as they lauch No Gods, No Masters III

ON Saturday, November 11th the Limelight 2 Belfast was blasted into metal oblivion for the EP launch of one of Northern Ireland’s finest veterans, Sinocence.

‘No Gods No Masters’ Vol III has kept the guys from us for long enough as they have been buried neck deep in blood, sweat and tears at Einstein Studios with Frankie McClay cracking a metaphorical whip on their behinds, to produce the finally to what can only be described as the bands long awaited masterpiece.

The support on the night couldn’t have been more fitting as the guys all put on 100% entertaining sets. Support came from ‘Sky Pilot the-band’, ‘Oracle N.I’ and ‘Ketos’ who wasted no time kick starting the night as only ‘Ketos’ can.

Due to unforeseen circumstances we missed an apparently cracking performance, with very charismatic front man Pete Crenshaw warming up the local and loyal supporters. The hard to please tog for the evening, Liam could not have praised this outfit any higher

Pacing the stage like an angry bear and executing Satanic wildcat vocals to send shivers up and down your granny’s spine, Jason Kerr of ‘Oracle’ set about bringing a deathly darkness to the place with a band that dished out a full heavy sounding set, tapered with catchy riffs and extended screams upon a virgin witness to their brand of metal.

‘Burn The Nameless’ and ‘Hollow’ seemed to unearth a few happy head bangers as the limelight 2 started to fill up nicely. ‘Take My Blood’ was a bouncy crowd nodding metal groove with nice time changes encouraging a few more fans to lose their shyness and venture forward.

Taking a few seconds to thank DP and ‘Sinocence’, plug the promise of a new disc early next year and grab a breath or two, they went out on a glorious ‘No God Waits For You’. This is a band worth keeping an eye on; a very strong performance throughout the set made them hard to take your eyes and ears off, even when you might have been dying with thirst and wanted to head to the bar.

By now, the onlookers are well oiled and enthusiasm is building as the penultimate act takes their place. The honestly hypnotic three piece ‘Skypilot’ with astounding harmonised vocals are always a pleasure to go see. The ‘Sabbath’, ‘C.O.C’ grooveinesss is a warm welcome amidst a night of high energy, searing vocals and metal blast beats! They comfortably take the stage like they were born there and deliver a beautifully constructed set consisting of ‘John IV’, ‘SuperDuperNaut’ and ‘Bender’. 

These guys are just one of those bands that fit comfortably into every conceivable scenario. The ease and pace of their delivery is always palatable and reassuring, with familiar riffs but composed in their own unique way. Judging by the reactions from the crowd they were well received and a very well thought of band with a tight set of carefully crafted songs, to set the mood for the kings of this night – ‘Sinocence’.

Four of the nicest guys to play this venue take the stage, feet planted firmly to the floor boards. Testosterone levels are at an all time high, so much so that it has seeped to those in the front row, and excitement, exhilaration, and a feeling of Goddammit lay the goods on us dudes has filled the room.
The intro plays out for ‘Sinocence’ to deliver the much anticipated third part of their ‘No Gods No Master Trilogy’.

And, so it wouldn’t be a Sins gig without ‘Long Way Down’ opening their set as the much loved anthem has the crowd joining in and singing the lyrics right back at them with full ferocity. Volume one and two get a run for their money with firm favourites enabling everyone to get into the swing of things with ‘In Kymatica’ Metalbox’ Perfect Denial’ and ‘Ascension Code’ starting and finishing their set. The hub of their deliverance however was No Gods No Masters Vol III played in full.

Ben beating the hell out of that drum kit at the beginning of ‘Full Spectrum Dominance’ is a scary sight but a truly awesome sound! A battering ram of fast paced bass from drums and guitars topped by angry vocals from Moro grabbed everyone in front of them by the throat. This song is one heavy mofo, and looked exhausting to deliver live.

They follow up with more of the same only bloomin faster, in ‘Bilateral’, and glancing around the room it’s not hard to see the look of pure joy on the faces of the fans.

Sinocence have upped their personal ante all right, this is heavy fucking metal, with enough melodic touches just to keep your head from exploding. Pedal to the metal from all four guys was breathtaking.

‘Drop The Bomb’ was definite proof that Sinocence have kept to their formula and distinct sound accept that, and no=one knows how it was possible, they weighted this beauty down with even more catchy riffage and it is a mystery how the hell Moro’s throat wasn’t ripped out by now. Anto spills out spectacular solos almost as if he’s just sipping a beer - awesome. Hard not to love the chugging too; great song and crowd pleaser.

The shouty, violent ‘Mind Over Murder’ sees Ben like a madman on speed once again behind that drum kit, guitars and bass are taking one hell of a thumping too and sweat is flying off all four guys as well as the hair flailing fans -  hanging onto the stage for grim death to stay upright, yes, its that fast!

The closing song from the new EP, and a favourite amongst many a reviewer is ‘No Gods No Masters’, this went down in a storm of excited head banging, dancing and jumping from all of the front row, including yours truly! Wow what a way to finish the EP, this could easily be a rock radio hit - a metal radio hit.

However, the sound is more accessible to those who aren’t as deathly heavy as a few of us.

Wow what a night. Excellent job all round Sinocence! Loved the songs, loved the set, loved the atmosphere and we can’t wait to catch them live again soon.

Just on a note to finish, and it's just left it this late to mention it but there were a few low the bad parts more than the good parts. The night did have a few gremlins at large, and equipment wasn’t at its full 100% power, an amp decided to play up a little, but did it spoil anyone’s night? Did it hell!

The professionalism of all the bands that the technical hitches fell prey of, need commended as they just got on with the job of delivering a gig of jaw dropping proportions. Kudos to all!

Review By Brenda McTaggart
Pictures by Liam Kielt

FEATURE: Northern Ireland's Metal2TheMasses oozes quality and diversity

TAKING away from my usual impartial stance I was left in a position whereby I had to be even more impartial...yes, Mr James Loveday honoured me by asking me to be one of the judges for Metal2TheMasses heats and semi-finals.

 

It's such an easy thing to say yes, but sitting down to judge the first heat, before the first band played a note I released that with the privilege came enormous responsibility. As a large percentage of the scores came from the judges it meant that I would be ranking bands, many of whom I knew, some members I have come to like as people over the past decade or so.

Putting the numbers on the scorecard, putting my name at the top and handing them to Mr Loveday was doing so knowing that I was helping send through a band, or contributing to their exit was sometimes with a heavy heart. But on each occasion judging was done with a fixed set of criteria...

Heat One

The first heat seems so long ago now, but it didn't begin auspiciously. Selene came on stage with the vocals absent from the mix and the entire band visibly nervous (in complete contrast to their confident show days later in The Empire at Blazefest).

Altus came on stage with a deathly sound, made all the more menacing with Sleeve's vocals, and his between song cheesy banter also helping the atmosphere around the sound.

In contrast Paradigm's performance, whilst solid and competent, needed more actual identity to what their sound actually is, with flavours of metal, grunge and alt mixed in. Perhaps more gigging will help the band settle its sound.

Sorrowfall need no such quest for identity their blackened death metal features songs that shred and dominate. However, they took a significant risk with their set comprising solely of new material. The band's strength as a unit, and a stellar show from Chris Polin worked out for them - even if it was Sleeve's second slot of the evening after his performance with Altus.

Qualifiers: Altus and Sorrowfall.

Heat two

The diversity of the competition was evident in the second heat with four acts from a range of rock and metal's genres. Openers Cavehill came on stage with a bluesy hard rock sound with Sinco leading the band with ease, and some songs dealing with edgey material.

If Cavehill eased some of the crowd into the competition they were soon terrified when Pete Clarke roared his deadly growl out to open Zombified's set. The band's quality as a death metal act is not in doubt and they ploughed up the venue and audience in well developed sounds from the dark regions of human existence.

From death to contemporary thrash as relative youngsters Donum Dei took their development yet further through a series of songs the audience are becoming increasingly familiar with. Thomas Marshall is becoming more confident as a front man, leading his merry band of thrash marauders to run amok.

You can never have too many guitarists...at least that's what Rule of Six seem to believe - one drummer, one bassist and four guitarists, playing a range of riffs, harmonies and solos; all based around songs with a whiff of sci-fi around them.

Qualifiers: Rule of Six and Donum Dei

Heat Three

 

As I and fellow judge Mark Ashby from Planet Mosh were reviewing Hammerfest and HRH on this weekend our friend Darren McVeigh (photographer from this parish) was among the judges.

 

Qualifiers: Overoth and Proxist

 

Heat Four

 

Again the diversity of the rock and metal community of acts in Northern Ireland was apparent in the fourth instalment as Scimitar took to the stage, bringing forth a wall of thrash, powered by incessant rhythms and....dozens of plastic scimitars for the audience to wield. With material culled from their two eps it was a confident performance.

Drawing their influence from the NWOBHM and delivering with humour Conjuring Fate dove straight into their show with each chorus bringing forth sing-alongs from the audience as Tommy's grin grew wider and their well-balanced arrangement of songs won over doubters.

With a blend of death, thrash and hardcore By Conquest or Consent challenge the listener to react in a furious face-off, dealing with uncomfortable truths with a sledgehammer of songs, delivered with poise and precision.

With the second instalment of Sinocence's No Gods, No Masters ep out days after the band appearance in the heats the quartet are on a high. They still stick to their regular opener 'Long Way Down' but they use what was the upcoming release well to balance out more familiar material.

Qualifiers: Conjuring Fate and Sinocence

Heat Five:

Once again Mr Loveday's Distortion Project brought forth diversity for the concluding heat. Opening up were A Little Bitter. The trio are renowned as a powerful blend of metal and melody, but knowing this was for slots at Bloodstock and Wacken they toughened up their sound yet still retained the melody in the key arrangements.

Death metal act Shrouded are billed as having three members, but had a stand-in bassist for the night. Their death metal was smooth and silky in its terror. There is plenty of potential for such a young act to develop further once they iron out a few live kinks.

Cursed Sun come on the stage storming, angry and vicious. Their hard-edged extreme sound pouring forth like a tumour of metal malignancy, yet joyous in their intensity. Many individuals throughout the heats had left the stage to play segments, but when Jonesy leapt from the stage he prowled, stalked and climbed to deliver the band's dystopian odes.

Concluding the heats were hard rockers Dead Addiction, who have been growing in stature as they have begun to notch up more live slots. With solid songs to build their sound upon and the ability within the band musically.

Qualifiers: A Little Bitter and Dead Addiction

Semi Final One

 

As the crowd assembled for the first semi-final the pressure on the judges was increasing, especially as they were to have a greater influence on the votes.

 

Opening up were A Little Bitter, who retained their more muscular sound, but it was apparent that the sound was going to affect all the acts performances. Still, A Little Bitter stuck to their guns and bellowed out a stormer.

 

As the stakes were so high the bands all raised their game. Conjuring Fate kept their intensity from the heats and performed with aplomb, once again engaging an audience familiar with their songs.

 

Perhaps the band to suffer most from the sound on the night were Sorrowfall, whose precision was lost in the mix as the guitar interplay and solos were not as defined for the audience. Nevertheless the weight of their sound came across well.

 

Donum Dei literally stomped their way on to the stage, undeterred by the mud in the mix; they took the set by the scruff of the neck and got down to business with a well balanced thrash set.

Wrapping up the semi-final were Dead Addiction, whose good time hard rock overcame the sound problems by laying on a musical feelgood party.

 

Finalists: Conjuring Fate and Donum Dei

 

Semi Final Two

Qualifier Proxist were forced to pull out of the semi final with their singer unwell.

Opening up the now four-band line up were Altus. Since the heats they had installed a new drummer, and it made a difference, with more doom, more malice and more intent across the sound; and Sleeve poured his soul into each song.

Sinocence delivered their set, as always, with precision. But, this was a set marked by a sense of attitude raging from Moro with a sense of controlled anger coming across, especially on tracks from No Gods, No Masters Vol 2.

With their four-guitar attack Rule of Six's wonderfully bonkers songs and interplay they came across as a band with loads more to deliver and a real sense between them and the audience of having a lot of metallic fun.

When Overoth hit the stage they came to conquer with a callous disregard for anything else other than delivering some delightful death metal: as measured as a surgeon cutting out diseased flesh.

Finalists: Sinocence and Overoth.

So, that was that - five heats, two semis and now a final on May 8th at Belfast's Voodoo.  Throughout all the rounds what was clear is that there is quality, diversity, songwriting and much more in Northern Ireland's hard rock and metal scene. Maybe there's something in the water....

May 8th - the final, a fiver, doors at 8pm and a fifth wildcard band to be added.

And, what's more the judges and the audience have no say, as a representative of Bloodstock will be there to have the final say.

Come along, support the scene and...there's also a raffle for a case of Hobgoblin beer and...tickets to fucking Bloodstock!

Words by Jonny
Photo credits: Darren McVeigh, Carolyn McGimpsey, and Marty Johnston -  many thanks to them all -  a selection is also below. All these photos are the copyright and intellectual property of the photographers. If you wish to use under licence or purchase please contact the photographers directly.