LIVE REVIEW: Bloodshot Dawn drop jaws as Northern DeathFest sees extreme (metal) comaradarie

GIVEN the extreme nature of the music aired at Northern DeathFest outsiders would be surprised at the smiles and camaraderie emanating from both the stage and throughout the audience. It was as if the sense of belonging amongst metal fans had become a tangible entity to an aural assault backdrop.

While the headliners were odds on to impress the seven bands performed to such an extent there was no low points, no mid-set slacking, no tailing off. Instead of which there was playing to such a high standard that by the time the final chords of the evening played it was a delirious exhaustion for all.

Openers Rupturation set the metal ball rolling at the ungodly hour of 14:30. Any cobwebs lurking in the rafters or muddy heads were shaken, battered and delighted.

Given the history behind the three-piece their set was an astounding, wonderful definition of rising, death metal nailed on.

Fresh from their success in Heat One of Northern Ireland's Metal2TheMasses Lock Horns mounted the stage with intent. Their take on progressive metal has nothing to do with standing around looking at fretboards. This is high energy in human form, with static practically electrifying the stage.

But, amidst the frenzy the playing had a panache and precision that was beautifully beguiling.

Like Lock Horns Stranglewire have an album out soon, but any future gazing was shattered as they produced death metal from unearthly dimensions. Their psychologically twisted music came dripping with hatred for the human race.

Dig behind the assault and there is something disturbing about the delivery from Stranglewire. Disturbing in a good way...

The Crawling have emerged in recent months as something of the darlings of the doom/death/misery metal scene, and deservedly so. The menace they have developed through playing far and wide invokes a sense of despair in their music - much to the delight of the audiences.

That oxymoron sums up The Crawling. Their miserable anthems are joyous to the sceptical, cynical bastard that lurks in us all, but on their playing at DeathFest was welcome.

Tighter than a shark's arse and as terrifying as facing a shark's maw Overoth know what they do and on Saturday they did it as well as ever. Knowing that they had a later afternoon set, knowing that many pints had been sunk by the audience like a death metal blunderbuss they spattered Limelight2 with shots carefully aimed to dismember.

Riffs and soloing aplenty as always, but to keep the crowd engaged was impressive. But then again they live up to what their fierce reputation as always.

With an hour's break for gear change Reprisal faced a difficult challenge but frontman Tom wasn't about to let any bugger come back complacent. A single finger to any faders these Buckinghamshire thrash bastards were here to let Belfast know they are a band here to stay.

The fine line between thrash and death was tred well and they are a band that will surely be welcomed back to the city.

As for Bloodshot Dawn...the last time they played Belfast the audience jaws dropped. This time jaws hit the floor. They were very good last time They were beyond great on January 28th.

There is an elixir that they have concocted deep in some dungeon in Portsmouth that melds ferocity and mind-altering metal melodies.

Numbers from Reanimation (Phil's review s here) were balanced with a healthy smattering of older material, but what was consistent was the interplay and balance between Josh and Morgan intricacy and the heaviness of the band in toto.

Northern Deathfest proved a couple of things -beyond the audience draw of extreme metal. Firstly the talent across the UK is astounding. And, Northern Ireland 'heavier' bands ae growing and developing at a pace that could barely be credited five years ago.

Review by Jonathan Traynor
Pictures by Darren McVeigh
Additional reporting by Zakk Traynor

ALBUM REVIEW: Overoth rise to new heights on The Forgotten Tome

FOR some time now Overoth have been one of the leading exponents of the extreme end of metal's spectrum, but have largely been plying their wares on stage since their début album 'Kingdom of Shadows' was released.

The atmospheric, intense live performances have all had a hallmarks of a band confident of their abilities, but c'mon we need new product! And, thus after an extended period of thinking about how to take their sound to the next level the band will release 'The Forgotten Tome' on September 22nd.

And, when you wrap your warped lugholes around this album you will agree that the wait has been more than worthwhile.

It is nine tracks (plus the orchestral opener) that have a purity of malice amidst the astonishing arrangements. The addition of more and more elements can sometimes overwhelm a band's sound Overoth have manage to incorporate them all in a consolidated vision.

From the insistent riffing of 'Winter of Iniquity' and Andy's primal roars throughout you'll find subtleties aplenty on multiple listens. Whether it be the piano outro of 'Sigil of the Empty Throne' or a sudden discovery of a violin this is an album demanding your attention.

Some of the passages on the title track are astonishingly good, 'Harbinger Of The End Times' will snap necks and 'Leviathan Swallowed The Sun' is so achingly good, from the Gregorian chanting intro to the menace of the tracks multi-instrumental passage.

To segue into 'Mar The Gates' is a shock to the senses, something well considered on the album's overall scheme.

It was a risky manoeuvre to try to add so many elements - including obscure instruments such as the ney flute - but the result is that 'The Forgotten Tome' is a well rounded release.

It is not disparate in its deathly approach, and Joe Thompson's production and Mike Hourihan's mix manage that delicate balance between a wall of sound and sufficient separation.

Fantastical, allegorical references abound in the lyrics; and like all good fantasy works they are the vehicle to ponder the frailty and failings of humanity and the evil and good that can emerge.

Complimented by Will Simpson's impressive artwork this is a release that will live long in the memory and is deserved of repeated plays.

That it only clocks in at 40 minutes is the only disappointment - a few more tracks would have been welcome, but after the wait for this we can forgive Overoth.

Review by Jonathan Traynor

The Forgotten Tome is released on Hostile Media on September 22nd

LIVE REVIEW: Heft and heaviness as Overoth, Cursed Sun and Wardomized bring the metal to The Limelight

SATURDAY evening - a time to wind down after a hard week's work. Maybe check out the evening football match...or chug a beer or six at the weekly celebration of all things heavy at The Distortion Project in Limelight2.

Of course, it is an almost weekly gathering of the devoted, a semi-religious shamanic experience, best epitomised by the headliners on Saturday (20th August) Overoth, with stage layered with smoke, candles and incense...

As usual Mr Loveday pulled together three relatively diverse acts that complimented each other in the heft and heaviness.

Openers Wardomized have quite a challenge to enliven the slowly filling venue and do themselves no favours by opening with two tracks emphasising their inkling towards sludge, doom and grind. Such a slowed down beginning would be better suited to the middle of their set with 'Strained' a tune that could serve as a breather...

The band seem more comfortable - as well as the audience - when they up the pace. 'Tribal Warfare' and the fun 'Suicide Death Rock' get things moving before new track 'Red Death (Flows Through My Veins)' showcases ambitions for the future.

Wardomized have come far over the last 12-14 months. It's time for them to knuckle down to a process of continuous improvement if they want to shift up the bill.

 Cursed Sun have played all parts of any bill and are always comfortable on stage. With forthcoming ep 'The Amygdala' almost ready for release there is a sense that the band are gearing up for a major step forward. Tracks from the ep were aired tonight, including two songs that seemed perfect for the live setting, the opening two, 'Primordial Chaos' and 'Breeding from Bleeding'.


Overall they manage that delicate balance of composure and craftsmanship that leads to a combustible set, sparkling with energy and a metallic joie de vivre.

Jonesy is the focal point of the contemporary heavy edge, as the sound rages around in wave after wave; melody punctuating the assault as Jonny's solos slam with more edge and volume compared to some recent outings.

Indeed this is a performance that has a freshness about it. Sure, as expected Jonesy joins the crowd, sure the rhythm section is tight as a shark's ass, but what was noticeable was the hunger. They have ambitions and they have the poise to position themselves to realise those ambitions.

Similarly Overoth are realising their ambitions with each and every performance - the drama is but a stage dressing as much as the smeared faces. All would be for nothing if the music was not a force of nature.

Andy is a commanding presence, towering over the audience like a colossus, cowering the unbelievers. His bass the anchor holding the delivery of the songs that are attack the venue as if faced with a row of enemies instead of acolytes at the band's altar of death.

'Kingdom of Shadows' is the most familiar of the tunes, but 'Winter of Iniquity' and 'God of Delusion' were stand-outs, with Daniel and Andrew intent on a delivery of synchronicity few can surpass.

It would be easy amidst the formidable trio at the front of the stage to overlook the contribution of Jay on drums, but on the likes of the début song 'The Keeper' and opener 'Sigil of The Empty Throne' the solidity of the beating is added to with flourishes and punctuation.

New track 'The Keeper' holds it place in the set, and with the band ready to release a new album it bodes well for their continual ascent towards the death metal throne.

Review and pics by Jonny (reproduction by written permission only)

 

LIVE REVIEW(S): Saturday night's all right for...rockin' as eight of the best play Northern Ireland

SOME Saturday's are just special. Sure every weekend can be great but when you have the opportunity to revel in two special shows and see eight bands you know it is a Saturday (February 13th) to remember.

The main focus was The Distortion Project fundraiser at Limelight2 from three o'clock before a dash to The Diamond to round up the night.

The DP fundraiser was an important event as it was an opportunity for the rock and metal community celebrate the 15 years plus that James Loveday has been supporting metal in Northern Ireland and help secure the future of more local, national and international acts playing here.

During that time the initial promise grew small shows in Katy Daly's to regular slots giving new and emerging rock and metal stage time, through to attracting the likes of WASP, Sabaton, and many, many more to Belfast.

But Saturday's celebration was a fundraiser and about the music that was about to be laid down.

First up in proceedings were Molarbear who delivered a heavy opening, with three guitars, mixing between dense rhythms and tight melody sections. They also had one song that had the crowd gleefully chanting 'fuck' - we think it was called 'Swearwolf' but we were too busy shouting "fuck" and laughing.

That aside Molarbear are dripping with promise and potential. For the inherent silliness of shouting "fuck" the rest of the set had enough strength in depth to ensure we have them tipped for the future.

When it comes to the southern metal scene in the USA, the likes of Down, Corrostion of Conformity are synonymous with NOLA grooves. Baleful Creed take that sound, add layers of Sabbath and pound it down.

Airing new song 'Memento Mori' and playing fan favourites such as (our editor's favourite) 'Autumn Leaves' recent months have seen Baleful Creed grow into not only a tighter unit, but also with added layers of heaviness. They take the conventions of their influences and add a Northern Ireland metal take, with dark humour and dark intent.

There is doubt of the unity of the vast majority of the metal community, something on display when By Any Means take the stage. Gacy Threads stick man Stephen Currie took over drum duties as usual drummer Gavin was otherwise engaged. Sinocence's Anto McCaughley was adding a second guitar and before the show was over Andy from Overoth was on stage with Wayne Donaldson ex of Defyed joining Paul Docs on all sorts of vocal contortions.

And, contortions are something that Paul committed himself to with his usual leap into the crowd and hyperactivity. For those that didn't know the other Paul in BAM was playing despite a heavy cold and 'flu-like symptoms'. Manflu can be fatal but the lurgy was not going to stop Paul donning his axe. A cover of Motorhead's 'The Hammer' added to the sense of occasion.

'Built on Respect' maybe a song, but it also expresses the attitude of By Any Means, and the respect those at Limelight2 showed for each other, each band and for James Loveday.

But at times we must always harken back to our roots, as Altus did when they covered Sabbath's 'Children of the Grave'. But as a band Altus must be taken note of. A few years back their sound was a pick-a-mix of influences that sometimes left you scratching your head as to where they would go.

In 2016 Altus - with a few line-up changes - are a very more focussed act, brimming with dark metal intent; a ritualistic sense of evil, added to by Sleeve on vocals donning a druidic cowl. Altus's new(ish) interpretation of death metal has seen many take note of where their next chapter will lead to.

Up from Dublin to pay their respects to Mr Loveday and The Distortion Project were Two Tales of Woe, who brought the groove to the evening with a set filled with rampant rhythm, searing riffs and melody so intricately woven into the songs that it was almost on a sub-conscious level that you found yourself caught by TTOW, and by then it was too late - you were hooked, humming along and headbanging.

Fellow Dublin band Xerosun were the penultimate act, and for those who hadn't seen this act before they were immediately taken by the vocals of Martyna, who can deliver the sweetest of melody lines and death growls that would have Dani Filth cowering.

But Xerosun are more than vocal gymnastics. They have songs that are complex and driven by a tight sense of metal drama, with death metal and more traditional metal. Familiar to many across the Irish scene Xerosun are growing as a band that deserve a bigger stage.

Unfortunately with time tight both Xerosun and Two Tales of Woe had to cut their sets, but it did perhaps give everyone a few moments to prepare before the depths of Hades open and Overoth unleash their unique version of metal pestilence upon the unwary.

Last year's Northern Ireland winners of Metal2TheMasses, Overoth took the Bloodstock New Blood by storm and just why was apparent to all. They are commanding in their look, sound and vision, no more so than the towering Andy on bass.

All the band are majestic musicians, all the while leering with a jaundice eye at a world gone awry.

As the final applause died out, there was one thing sure - that there is nothing awry with a scene that can come together to help the DP foundation upon which so many have grown from.

Snatched cigarettes and a last gulp of beer then we and some like-minded chancers boarded the BAM Battle Bus for the journey from the heart of Belfast to Ahoghill Rock City, where the Diamond Rock Club was hosting another couple of bands for our delectation and delight.

Tumbling from the bus and into the heat of the Diamond where Derwin and crew were on hand to welcome one and all, symphonic metal act Selene were already on stage. Thankfully the Belfast refugees hadn't missed much in the dash up through County Antrim.

Just a year ago Selene seemed to be strugglers as the band and singer Shonagh Lyons crumbled at a Metal2TheMasses show. What a difference a year makes. They have now harnessed the sweep and technicality of symphonic metal, have real confidence and project their songs and sound in a really inspiring way.

Never mind all the 'from adversity...' crap, Selene are the real deal now. At a time when so many labels are picking up mediocre symphonic metal acts Selene show just how it should be delivered - technical, tight and dramatic.

If you were to give a teenager with ADHD a massive dose of amphetamines and load them with all the energy drinks you might get something of an idea of the level of energy that Oli Brown brings to the stage with RavenEye, but no chemical enhancements were needed for this three-piece.

The road weary who had travelled from Belfast were instantly given their second wind, as Aaron Spiers, Kev Hickman and Brown took the Diamond by the scruff of the neck and shook it the audience into smiling submission.

This is hard rock at its most celebratory. Sure Brown is one of the great guitar exponents of his generation, but the RavenEye show is not about guitar wankery (even if does it extremely well!), it is about a show - the sheer enjoyment coming from the band engendering enjoyment from the audience.

For all the live japes of Oli leaping off the bass drum, and jumping on Aaron's shoulders for a romp around the room, it is the songs that anchor everything. New tune 'Hate' shows yet again that RavenEye have much more in the tank. Even tunes already known by some such as 'Hey, Hey, Yeah' still sound fresh.

With new tracks and this sort of stage presence Oli and co are sure to be playing to bigger and bigger audiences. As long as they remember to come back to Northern Ireland as regularly as they have done over the past 12 months or so we have no problem with that.

Saturday 13th February, 2016, one of the days set to live long in the memory - a day to support The Distortion Project, to witness six bands pay homage to DP and to enjoy another night of rock in Ahoghill.

Review by Jonny
[Amateur] Pictures by Jonny