LIVE REVIEW: Zlatanera showcase new video in a stormy four band battering in Belfast

HAND sanitizer. Yes, hand sanitizer, what every self-respecting festival bound metaller needs to keep their paws clean after a visit to the stench filled toilets where even the demons from the ninth circle of hell hold their noses lest the waft knock them out.

On the other hand we have the Zlatanera's tune 'Idle Hand Satanizer'. What better piece of merch for the Belfast five-piece to have is their own little bottle of Idle Hand Satanizer to keep your paws nice and spruce.

It was an event to launch the Zlat boys new video 'Bad Case of the Devil' - a premier for the lucky present before it goes on to general release later on this week, and despite the many other gigs on Saturday (May 20th) there was a healthy crowd for this Distortion Project in Limelight2.

Also, before Satan entered the house there was the matter of his demonic undercard...all with their own reasons to celebrate.

Openers Erosion have recently released their début ep, a strong prog influenced outing with a nice edge (review to follow). The last outing in LL2 was not their highwater mark, but on Saturday this was a more assured performance. There was a meatiness that was dissipated on their previous outing.

Indeed, it was clear this was one of their best shows to date with Mark's voice coming through clear. The only thing to nitpick about is that with Mark behind the kit the three at the front need to be a little more mobile.

Blackened death metal crew Shrouded are on the crest of a wave after securing a slot at Bloodstock by winning the Northern Ireland Metal2TheMasses final. With that accolade and preparations underway to storm the New Blood stage they could have been forgiven if they'd eased back a little.

Not a bit, this was a confident, assured face melting performance. The onstage dynamics aurally and visually were stunning and their 30-minute slot seemed to fly by in seconds as they delivered heaviness and melody in equal parts.

Baleful Creed are about to unleash their latest album 'Seismic Shifter' on an unsuspecting world, a slab of groove and NOLA to move tectonic plates. They managed to translate the recorded heft to the Limelight stage with ease.

Their growth as an act over the past year is evident with every chord and every solo. An extra dab of stagecraft and they will be an even more potent force, but for now they shine like polished steel.

The premier of 'Bad Case of the Devil' brought laughs and 'spot the extras' games. For those not there you are in for a treat when it is released.

But Zlatanera were first and foremost a live act that has develop to cover all aspects of the business - recording, playing, merch all delivered with a glint in the eye.

At their core is a wall of honed music that could slice the horns off a goat. The poise on stage is no pose, but panache and power in equal measure.

Sure it would be easy to wax lyrical about the riffs, the powerful vocals, the impressive performance of relatively new drummer Aran, or Andy's voice, but this is a band were the sum of the parts comes together to massively exceed what could be expected.

We've all become familiar with the 'Uppa Satans' trio of tracks, but what Zlatanera have is a collection of metal that is a molten mass that insinuates itself into your ears, your black heart and your soul.

Review by Jonathan Traynor
Pictures by Darren McVeigh

 

LIVE REVIEW: Heat One of Metal2TheMasses kicks off the battle for a Bloodstock slot

YOU know when Metal2TheMasses is underway when 'real' adults appear in Limelight2. Not, that everyone who normally attends isn't above the statutory admittance age - it's just that these are responsible adults. Also known as parents of band members.

Seeing these responsible adults gives one a sense of assurance that their offspring's efforts to learn a new guitar line, drum fill of bass run, not to mention shipping them to rehearsals has been worth the effort to see their sprogs enter into the fray for a cherished spot at Bloodstock.

By Darren McVeigh

In an evening of varied styles all four bands in this first heat played half hour sets that were entertaining and engaging in front of a relatively healthy turn-out.

With the bands chosen order as usual not pre-determined it was up to Erosion that were up first. These experienced musicians delivered their usual well performed selection of tracks, with Martin particularly impressive. However, at times Mark's vocals were a bit strained.

The excellence of their alt take on metal was, however, on the evening, a little bit at odds with some of the arrangement of the set, and announcing a track as 'hardcore' was perhaps a mistake. That said their use of intro samples and the overall aural wall bodes well.

By Darren McVeigh

Travelling up from Co. Armagh Periapt struggled with tuning during the set, but once they got going their brand of groove with tech touches worked well. Relatively static on stage was understandable given the enormity of the prize at stake.

Which, of course is a slot on the Bloodstock line-up with all that entails - to be on a line-up with Megadeth, Amon Amarth, Blind Guardian, Hatebreed, Testament, Decapitated etc. Given Periapt's hard rock groove they may need to toughen up their sound a little to fight for a slot in the future. That said there is obvious potential.

Beyond the Beneath were playing their first show and their first time they'd lined up as a three-piece. From the off the passion and the ability was clear, as was their use of the stage to its full extent.

By Lizzie Torbitt

The punk edged metal was mixed with groove and a grasp of tight musical arrangements. Colum's lead runs were tight and not overblown, while Davy's bass work and vocals were only matched by the silly in between tracks banter. There are still a few rough edges to be knocked off, but given this was their début that was a minor issue.

Rosco's Riot came on with a wall-of noise, intense and over-flowing with groove. Tim towered over the audience; full-on playing. At times the sound was cluttered, drowning out Tim's vocals, but the riffing was only matched by a peerless union of James and Craig's tightly woven rhythms.

It was clear that Rosco's Riot had brought the most support, guaranteeing they would get a substantial vote from the audience. However, you cannot gather that level of support without a good set and a substantial set of songs.

By Lizzie Torbitt

As always with Metal2TheMassses voting weight was 50% from the audience and 50% from the collective judging panel.

Qualifying for the semi-finals are: Rosco's Riot and Beyond The Beneath.

Review by Jonathan Traynor
Pictures by Darren McVeigh and Lizzie Torbitt (as marked)

LIVE REVIEW: Mining the past - Kadavar, Stray Train and Erosion

IT'S often said in fashion circles that “everything old is new again”, that the act of recycling past ideas means that the 'latest thing', while being based on history, is also fresh and exciting.

The same could be said for music, with the rock and heavy metal genres being particularly fond of paying homage to past heroes.

Thus is was that three bands who are fairly newly created, invited their audience into the past in Belfast's Voodoo bar on Thursday night.

Local rockers Erosion kicked off proceedings with their deep, bold 'groove x thrash metal' sound. Blasting from the starting blocks in fiery fashion with 'Giving All One's Got', they prove to be in fighting form tonight, particularly vocalist and drummer Mark Stewart, who tackles his duel role brilliantly.

After an unfortunate incident with an extremely drunk and enthusiastic fan they wrap up rather Sabbath-y final number 'The Eclipsed', complete with 'Witches of Eastwick' intro, with aplomb.

Moving slightly further afield, it was then time for Slovenia's Stray Train, whose focus on rock and roll's blues roots results in a set filled with ass-shaking grooves and huge, beaming hooks. Rather like a swingier and way less po-faced Wolfmother, their faithful adherence to the bluesier side of rock goes down an absolute treat with the growing crowd.

New single 'Green Card Paradise' gets an airing tonight, sounding interestingly like GnR's 'Locomotive', while 'Plastic Princess' and a Rival Sons cover demonstrate a delightful diversity to their music. More of this, please!

A swirl of dry ice and sudden stillness herald the arrival of tonight's headliners, the mysterious and very, very tall trio that is Berlin's Kadavar. Following a trippy as all get-out intro they blast into action with a fervour that's almost startling, as they fire out 'Come Back Life' and 'Pale Blue Eyes' back to back. “Hello Belfast! You guys ready for some rock and roll tonight?” singer/guitarist Lupus Lindemann enquires, before they launch into a raucous 'The Last Dinosaur' which all but drowns out the enthusiastic affirmative from the crowd.

Their music is gloriously, thunderously groovy; it's music stripped back to its raw elements yet sounds so full, so complete – and so, so loud. Full of down and dirty riffs, tribal drumming and occasional dramatic flairs, it's Seventies stoner rock a la Black Sabbath brought bang up to date in the 21st century. Like a coiled spring, when they explode it's simply jaw dropping stuff.

With barely a pause between songs, the rare moments of stillness serve as exclamation points to what has just come before, and precursors to what will follow.

They plough relentlessly through song after song – 'Broken Wings', 'Goddess' – and set heads banging joyfully throughout the room.

Wrapping up with a buoyant version of 'Helter Skelter', and with no encore, they exit the stage, leaving behind a crowd that's spent, sweaty and euphoric. A magnificent set.

With such a rich vein of musical history to mine, it's not surprising that so many rock and metal bands choose to look back in order to move forward. And when it's done like it was tonight, we see absolutely no reason why they shouldn't continue to do so. Done right, it creates music that so many artists yearn for: timeless. Classic. Aspirational.

Review by Melanie Brehaut
Photos by Liam Kielt
Reproduction by written permission only

LIVE REVIEW: A dozen bands toast DistortionFest '16 across two venues for The Distortion Project's birthday bash

NINE hours, 12 bands, dozens of metallers and multiple pints. DistortionFest '16 was an endurance test as well as a marathon of metal decadence, but every painful foot, aching neck and hangover was a mere travail on a glorious afternoon and evening.

An international toast to metal, fans were treated to acts from the USA, Netherlands, Germany and Romania, plus aa visit from some Scottish cousins. None of the overseas acts and none of the Northern Ireland bands put a single foot wrong. There was even a breakfast of Corn Flakes and Buckfast tonic wine on offer...

A mild October Saturday (29th) heralded the early start, for

what was to be a feast of a festival, and a general mood of celebratory joy for The Distortion Project's 16th Birthday Bash.

Opening the proceedings were Erosion, who have been steadily working their way up the gigging ladder over the past year.

Given they were starting off with the autumn sunshine beaming through Katy's windows and it was an accomplished performance that set the tone for the day, and it was notable that several of the foreign bands were at the back of the venue nodding appreciatively at their prog tinged stoner groove.

The only flaw was that Mark introduced a new song...and tell the crowd what the title was.

To show that variety is the spice of metal the hurried transfer to Limelight2 immediately slowed the pace to sludge, with War Iron cranking the volume and bringing doom.

It is hard to perform this type of set with panache but amidst atmospheric lighting and a set that was, as always from War Iron. James from Terminus joined them for a song, while Baggy offered up the cereal and tonic wine - breakfast of champions.

Romania's Bloodway saw a trickle of fans become a few hurried walk for as their set of well constructed songs drew wavers into Katy's. A lot of the power came from the dynamic of the songs that displayed that rare ability to balance loud segments with more delicate playing.

Even though the day was still young there was a sense of the night as Drakonis brought the blackness to Limelight2 - Halloween revellers might don corpse paint, but for Drakonis this is their normal gig attire.

Featuring tracks off their new EP (review coming soon) they have managed to echo the classic black metal with their own sense of drama. A misbehaving mic stand did not dent their confident delivery.

Bloodthread were determined to get the mid afternoon crowd energised and flatten any visible flagging in Katy's. The rowdy Glaswegians have an anger and attitude that is both admirable and well executed.

When Zlatanera first emerged from the ashes of other acts, their Sabbath, stoner groove was immediately engaging, but some doubted whether it was wit or irony in their lyrical content.

Within two shows there was no doubt that this was an act who used metaphor and humour in the words to match the real potency of their music. Sure, we all love the Satanic trio, but on Saturday they once again pound a collection of songs that might doff the cap to Cathedral and Corrosion, but with their own distinct stamp. The follow-up to Legerdemain is eagerly awaited!

Once again moving between venues Germany's Valborg brought the doom theme back, but with more than a hint of prog metal. Most of the set was mid-tempo doom, but with the shouty vocals a perfect contrast with some of the shifting elements of their sound.

With exhaustion not too far off for many (or was it the consumption of beer?) any sense of the show suffering early evening blues was quickly dispelled as Rabid Bitch of the North getting the Limelight2 baying for classic metal shapes and soundly delivered hell.

Their anthemic choruses could overshadow the accomplished nature of a set that is littered with gems. Their recent run of continental dates have further enabled Rabid Bitch to measure out a set of meaty metal. As the 'other' revellers were donning their fancy dress for their rubbish disco the onstage declaration "Us Against Them" was a clear message of defiance welcomed by all in Limelight2.

Closing proceedings in Katy's in a half hour slot from 5:15 Sinocence eked every second from those 30 minutes. Their back catalogue, the two ' No Gods, No Masters' EPs so far from the trilogy means that they can choose from a plethora of tracks. As always, they choose well, with headbanging coming as the response.

Sinocence have a tight sound on the night, with poise, presence and power. It might be a 'Long Way Down' but they left all rising up in delight.

Dutch power metallers, Lord Volture, may have been unknown to most, but quickly impressed. They produce a well balanced set, with plenty of stagecraft and some excellent melodic lines in the mix of Euro Metal.

Their three quarters of an hour went by in a blur that stirred up many and teetered on the edge of tipping over into parody of the likes of Helloween, but stayed just on the right side of having their own identity.

One of the real strengths of metal is, for example, the diversity on show at DistortionFest. From doom and sludge to thrash and old school metal. If we were all able to push aside the genre boundaries that bedevil modern metal maybe more people would turn out for every show from The Distortion Project.

And, with a real sense of the 80s beginning to permeate the air Stormzone arrived with the usual confidence and purpose. The first show with Gordy behind the drum kit it was a seamless transition.

It has been a time since Stormzone graced a Northern Ireland stage, but there is no doubt that they are still a well prepped metal machine, with melodies, twin guitar lines and a set list of all the familiar fan favourites.

Time for the guys to get back recording and get back playing for all their devotees here and further afield.

Headliners Warrior Soul have almost achieved legendary status for all sorts of reasons, but the Kory Clarke crew have survived for a touch short of 30 years playing their politically charged American metal.

Opening up with the duo of 'Shock Em Down' and 'Punk and Belligerent' they are clearly five-piece that still feels they have a point to prove.

Unfortunately, diabetic needs of the review team (of one) allied with tiredness and more than the allotted safe pint level meant we bowed out after four songs, but from what was in evidence - and feedback from the hardy that stayed to the end - Warrior Sould have maintained the potency and anger that many acts of a similar vintage have lost.

With the dying embers of pre-Halloween parties almost upon the gig goers there were other shows to go to, and more opportunities to swallow what came to hand. Settling in after the show, with blood sugar levels okay, reflecting on what DistortionFest meant is not an easy task.

Yes, all the bands were impressive. Yes, all in attendance left with more than a smidgeon of a smile upon their face. Yes, it had a celebratory under-current. But, what also should be said is that we need the devotion of promoter such as 'Sir' James Loveday for taking the risk to bring a sensational line-up to Belfast. The faithful gather, as required, but tell your friends, nag your acquaintances, badger your workmates if they even have a hint of metal in their veins to get out and see the magical maelstrom of metal on their doorstep.

Review by Jonny
Pictures by Darren McVeigh
Reproduction by written permission only