COMIN' ATCHA! - A week of rock and metal chaos lie ahead

SO, you didn't get out this weekend, but then again you might have been saving yourself for the week ahead - and what a week it promises to be!

Monday is a day when work seems such shit and the day drags on, and on, and on. But feck all that because The Distortion Project is making sure your Monday is gonna groove with serious intent when Mr Loveday brings Corrosion of Conformity, fresh from a soggy Download, to Limelight1.

With support from County Antrim's Skypilot it promises to be a shockingly good start to the week.

Now we all know that Tuesday is the worst day of the week, but after CoC think of it more as a wee chance to catch your breath because Wednesday - hump day - sees the awesome Black Stone Cherry bring back their bluesy, southern tinged rock to the Ulster Hall.

Since they started coming to Northern Ireland each time they've played bigger and bigger venues (as headliners) and after last time they played the Mandella Hall its going to be a cracker.

Come Friday, Midnight Transmission play the Voodoo, with Thieves of Ennui, On Parole and Serpent.

Don't even think of pausing for breath because Saturday sees even more rock....

The Distortion Project never rests - and on Saturday (June 20th) they present a diverse bill, headed by The Organ Grinders and support from Cadaver Club, Cavehill and Tragedy Vampires.

For those wanting to get yer hard core rocks off then the beer bus and various modes of transport will be heading to Ahoghill Rock City, and the Diamond Rock Club. There the Gasoline Outlaws launch their album No Rules, No Laws, No Regrets, (review here) with support from Conjuring Fate.

Had enough? Nah -  sure you'll want to round off the week with The Who at the Odyssey. Never mind the fact that there will be mods in attendance because even they know in their hearts that The Who are a heavy rock band not some pussy followers of fashion piece of disposable music - after all have you heard 'Live At Leeds'?

Tickets for all these shows are available at the doors - we'll see you there!

 

 

 

 

GIG REVIEW: SONI Rocks The Empire as Million$Reload and Maverick rip through storming sets

TO paraphrase Elton - Saturday night's all right for rocking. And, the SONI four act bill at the Empire on Saturday night (19th July) saw hard rocking of the finest type as Villanova Junction, Midnight Transmission, Maverick and Million$Reload roared through a hot and sweaty sets on Belfast's Botanic Avenue.

It was also a night that saw fans travel from far and wide to see local heroes, new and old...

Those who made it for the start time were in for a surprising treat in the shape of Bangor power trio Villanova Junction. With raw down and dirty blues rocking with a smidgeon of country and folk the band were a revelation.

While Josh (bass) and Corey (drums) kept the rhythm steady Joel roamed over the fretboard of his Strat as if possessed by the late, great Johnny Winters, coaxing every note and flourish from the six-string. What is more he has a voice with just the right amount of gravel and melody. Villanova Junction are one to watch out for in the future.

Midnight Transmission came on stage at first seeming ill-at-ease, and it quickly transpired that Mark on vocals was having trouble with the monitors, although hands in pocket is not perhaps the best way to enthuse the growing audience.

It wasn't until the final three songs that the sound and band seemed to have relaxed into the set, with Mark's vocals coming more alive and with more than a little Chris Cornell to his range his power eventually shone through.

Midnight Transmission have a power and potential that is oh, so close, but needs to be refined; not least through the onstage image that sees the impressive playing at times at odds with the demeanour and looks. A little more time to sort that out and their grunge/alt rock could come good.

As to coming good, there is no doubt that Maverick are on the cusp of great things. With their new album on the verge of release, nuances such as music videos and scheduling mattered not a bit as the ten-legged hard rocking, metallic Maverick declared as statement of intent right from the get go with their eponymous introduction as a full-tilt, unashamed contract with the audience that "We are Maverick".

It is clear from the band's on and off-stage conduct that they enjoy each other's company. They have the easy banter between themselves and the moves that would shame many of the pretenders to the LA hard rock crown.

Dave is the ring leader of the gang, inspired; with the right amount of 'daft' but never inane interplay with the crowd to let everyone know that this is hard rock, not fucking brain science.

But that is not to say that there is not 'smarts' behind Maverick. Arrangements are tight, song structures are solid and the sound is a wall of rock joy.

Ryan played superb lead solos and when Richie took to the front his impassioned playing was a complement to the sound. Ric and Mike kept it all solid as they ran through a set of songs that are already crowd favourites before the album is released...

Cat Got Your Tongue, Electric, Got it Bad - all known and loved and seemingly everyone is salivating at the forthcoming release.

It is fair to say that Million$Reload have had recent trials and tribulations to go through, but there is a such a thing as attitude and despite what may have happened Phil and his fellow troubadours proved that they have endurance, great tracks and a smooth sound that can ease woes and raise voices in a heartbeat.

After the fury of Maverick it was a bold move to open with the mid-paced Waiting on Hollywood, and even bolder move to début new tracks, when it could have been easier to roll out past glories.

Now handling guitar as well as vocals Phil now seems more rooted and comfortable rather than trying to be the manic musical leader. It is a role that suits his easy style.

As always BAM was laying out searing solos, while Kie and Finn were relaxed together despite pounding through every song.

New tracks Truth Could Kill You, Penny for Your Dirty Mind and Under Your Skin amongst them had an immediacy and feeling of freshness that marked them out as sure fire hits given the right airing and breaks.

But that is not to say that Million$Reload are throwing away past glories. Bullets in the Sky and Goodnight New York were stunning as always, with Bullets in particular apt at this time of global tension and a powerful ode to sheer rock glory.

However, Phil announced, in particular to RockradioNI DJ, Nikki Jackson that the anthemic Tattoos and Dirty Girls was having its last ever airing. We hope not and hope that it can still be dusted down and giving a play for fans who have been there for the last eight years.

What is apparent is that Million$Reload are not quitting, their getting stronger, and after the first song had that swagger and justifiable confidence that will surely see them rise another tier.

Overall SONI laid on four hours of hard rocking, heavy tunes that only made us feel sorry for those who could not be there.

Review by Jonny 

Rock(d) keeps rockin' with metal heat: Rabid Bitch of the North, Stormzone and Baleful Creed

SATURDAY afternoon metal is always a joy, and the weekly offerings from James Loveday's Distortion Project always offer high quality far.

With a (very) brief summer break coming up top treats from Rabid Bitch of the North, Stormzone and Baleful Creed created beautiful noise on Saturday (28th June).

With late June sunshine bathing Ormeau Avenue, punters sheltered in the dark. dim and delightful Limelight2.

A series of factors and public transport meant your reviewing crew missed Cavehill completely, and saw the last half of Midnight Transmission, who we though that their mix between indie and hard rock left them out-of-place on the bill; but their set could work on another night with complementary acts and a little more focus.

Rabid Bitch of the North are gearing themselves up for Bloodstock and are getting tighter and more geared up for their set. They cohesion within the band is clear and evident for all to see.

Opening with Your Misery and including tracks from their cassette Defending the Castle plus older tracks like 1999 and they are producing classic heavy metal with their own unique touches.

More on RBOTN on a post later on.

Stormzone show their experience and vigour everytime they step on stage. Led by troubadour Harv, they are a super example of how to deliver a set that is well rehearsed, with still looking and sounding fresh.

From the rhythm anchored by Davey Bates with Graeme's bass nailing it, through to the duelling of Moore and Shields it is a complete visual and aural experience.

One can even forgive the clichéd synchronised axe backward and forward routines - because after all a cliché is a truism, and Stormzone play with a true sense of purpose.

Featured tracks included Three Kings, The Pass Loanen and Night of the Storm. As this was a warm-up for their Sonisphere set next Saturday (3pm for those going) it showed that whether as headliner or support act they can play as if their lives depend on it.

Heading the bill were Baleful Creed, with their slowed down low down groove, and Sabbathy musical muse moving their tunes are a band that can play with verve and with a unique technical groove. Illuminati and Autumn Leaves stood out, songs that grow in stature with every live outing.

Heavy metal, in all its shapes and varieties, stands proud (and loud, of course) with The Distortion Project, the men and women who attend, and through the tireless rehearsals, practice and performances of all the bands who grace the RockD stage.

Astral Bitch transmitting from the Limelight....

WHEN it comes to Saturday evenings it is always a pleasant sojourn along to Ormeau Avenue to see what offerings James Loveday is presenting with The Distortion Project's weekly offering.

Perfectly timed to enjoy some early evening quaffing and riffage we made the long journey to the Limelight2 (well 30 minute journey...) as our owner/editor and death/black metal correspondent to sample the liquid and aural wares on offer for a paltry £5 door tax.

And it was a pleasantly heavy as the gates of hell evening, with a trio of bands playing as if they were Odyssey Arena headliners.

With an all-day, all ages gig underway at the T13 skate park it took a while for the audience to build to respectable levels, but many missed openers Midnight Transmission lay down a heavy, punk edged take on the hard rock genre. Plenty of stagecraft, nice moves and good songs to boot. At times the vocals were a bit lot in the mix, but otherwise a sound opener.

Rabid Bitch of the North kicked off their set with Your Misery. They then ploughed their way through seven tracks with Joe's beard and Rickenbacker bass leading the charge.  With God Of Punishment and Help I'm Trapped in 1999 stand-out tracks: both of which saw Gerry laying down riffs and tight solos.

This was a real improvement on previous RBOTN sets we've seen. Whatever they're taking and whatever they are doing keep at it!

Technical issues saw a truncated Astralnaut set, but their heavy stoner, southern flavoured space groove saw the airing of three new songs, one of which has as yet not title.

The other new songs Ego Eccentric and Mac Fire blended with existing tracks such as Emerald Lord of Pleasure; the bottom end groove tighter than a shark's arse and free-flowing riffs weaving their way around the room like lizards of doom cruising for a victim...

So, The Distortion Project scores another gig for the team; three bands impress and improve their chops...what better way to spend a Saturday evening? Answers on a postcard....