ALBUM REVIEW: Stereo Nasty lay down classic chops on Twisting The Blade

IN just three short years Stereo Nasty have managed through some magic elixir to conjure through some strange alchemy the Philosopher's Stone of pure metal joy.

On this their second full length release 'Twisting The Blade' the Irish four-piece have managed to produce no-frills metal - and that lack of frills is the strength of this album.

It harkens back to what the band themselves refer to as "the golden era of 80s heavy metal". However, this is not a slavish interpretation of the past. This is a take on what metal was as it emerged from the trauma of punk, the verbose mid to late-70s rock while absorbing the lessons NWOBHM learned the hard way.

Sure you can pick out the influences -  early Maiden on 'Reflections of Madness'; Priest on 'Near Dark' and WASP on 'Through The Void' but that doesn't matter at all.

What Stereo Nasty have achieved is a release that makes any fan of pure classic metal smile and want to don their cut off, pour themselves into skin tight jeans, strap on a bullet belt and start banging their heads.

The only issue is that the era of the early 80s saw producers such as Martin Birch take particular attention with engineers to enable clear separation of all the instruments and patterns. It's not that there isn't separation in the mix, it's just a little more definition across the instruments would have helped.

For example, on the superb title track 'Twisting The Blade' at times the bass and guitar aren't distinctive enough. That being said it is a great song, with a nod to the edgier side Twisted Sister, naturally, but with a sneer and smile, and a tasty measured solo from Adrian.

And, while some may focus on Mick's great vocal work it is the band's tightness that stands out. Unadulterated work as Adrian, Fran and Rud work as a unit to deliver metal.

The only blips is on the instrumental 'Vengeance' - to put it kindly it's unnecessary, and sounds like an intro to a track that has been thrown away as unnecessary.

Set that aside and what you have are eight tracks that are delivered with poise and precision, with closer 'Becoming A Beast' an absolutely - if you excuse the pun - a beast of a track.

Stereo Nasty have pulled out of the bag a superb album, that with a few tweaks is within reach of being a classic.

What excites us most is that the songs on here will translate to the live environment, where the inherent power will sear audiences aural tracts. Catch them on their summer tour!

Review by Jonathan Traynor

LIVE REVIEW: Maverick go large for Big Red launch with spikey Kildare metal crew Stereo Nasty

WHEN you have a 'product' that is a massive step up in terms of everything you have done before then you might as well make a big deal of it - and Maverick went large when it came launch their new album 'Big Red' on 27th August.

Rock and metal luminaries from across Northern Ireland were among the healthy numbers crammed into Limelight2 to celebrate the massive Maverick release.

To help the occasion kick off with a bang the County Kildare metal crew Stereo Nasty, who have been faithful visitors to Northern Ireland.

They have become more poised since their first tentative steps and their presentation has upped the stakes. From the first days with spikes through denim jackets now to spiked armoured shoulder pads and spiked leather.

All would be for naught were it not for the songs and the ability of the band. Mick dominates the stage, and sings as if his life depended on it. Adrian is an accomplished player, ably assisted by Rud's bass playing, who commands his side of the stage as if there was a legion of Roman soldiers about to storm it. They'd have no chance.

Fran sits behind his kit, headphone monitor and shades, a picture of concentration.

What Stereo Nasty have in proverbial spades is a succession of songs, with massive riffs and massive choruses, traditional heavy metal played well.

Maverick have grown up in front of many in the crowd at Limelight2 who turned out on to see what is close to being a band who can challenge many of the so-called big names across Europe and the US who are re-treading licks and producing samey songs.

None of what Maverick does is samey. Nothing they perform - live or on album - is a re-tread. Yes, there is homage to their influences of the 80s, but there is no sense as the 10-legged rock monster is living in the past - even if they did one cover version that harkens back to 'the day'.

Sure, the 80s heyday is celebrated, but the tightrope of hard rock and metal sensibilities is walked with sure feet and balance to give each track the sound of 2016 rock.

Not only are the songs strong, but the performance is superb. The dynamic stagecraft sees them move constantly, working every inch of the stage - and David grins like a hyperactive Cheshire Cat at every opportunity.

However, it never comes across as contrived - rather this is a band who understand that we listen with our ears but watch the performance. And, it is clear that they are fans of the bands that use that same principle.

The new songs may be unfamiliar to many, but they work superbly on stage, and instantly garner support and unanimous approval. 'Forever' is so much stronger live to what was already an impressive recorded track.

The party anthem 'Whiskey Lover' sits a well in the set as the detailed storytelling of 'Beyond The Gates'.

Ryan has developed more tricks to his already impressive array of licks, but with the flash there is form and structure. As always Richie and Mike are formidable holding the songs together, but the addition of Terry to the line-up had enabled them to step up even further live.

Of course, Maverick are great at the little twists in the set and the aforementioned cover version of 'Get The Funk Out' has the Limelight complex bouncing.

'In Our Blood' from Quid Pro Quo is a statement that resonates with everyone in attendance no matter the age. Yes, quality rock 'n' roll is in all our veins - and when Maverick play we feel that pure musical joy course throughout our bodies.

The boys "done good" in the past,  but this was men who strode on to the Limelight stage, they were great, and we believe they can only get better still.

Review by Jonny
Pictures by Jonny and Lizzie Torbitt
Big Red is out now - Maverick play The Diamond Rock Club on October 15th

NEWS: Week packed with rock and metal

WELL - there's never anything happening in Belfast for rock and metal bands, right? Wrong! The next four days are packed, literally packed with shows.

Tonught, Wednesday, 24th July sees Airbourne play a sold-out show in Limelight1 with The Treatment and Trucker Diablo - sorry if you ain't got your ticket...

But despair not as tomorrow there are some limited number of tickets available for Red Hot Chili Peppers at Tennents Vital, at Boucher Road Playing Fields. The box office is open from 1pm tomorrow, but be quick as the it is close to selling out the 40,000 capacity.

If that's not to your taste and want something a bit heavier the Voodoo is hosting Shrouded, Ceaseless Blight, Drakonis, and Towers from 8pm.

Friday - end of the working week? Well the Hilden Beer Festival kicks off, and in the Eglantine Bar The Distortion Project will bring Scotland's Midnight Force to town with support from Donum Dei and Scimitar.

Still with us? Then hang on to your hats because on Saturday it is time for a serious choice. You want it heavy and terrifying? Then head back to the Voodoo, where Extreme Noise Terror will be playing their only Irish show, with backing from Desecration, Zombified and Okus...neck protection advised.

Over in The Limelight Maverick are launching their new album Big Red with Stereo Nasty opening the evening's proceedings. (Video for Asylum single below)

That's just a sample of the goings on - there are plenty more, but never, ever say there's no gigs...and there are plenty more coming up over the rest of the year!

Let the Beer Tokens be deployed!

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

All text and images are copyright protected.

Reproduction by written permission only