LIVE REVIEW: Rock & Metal magic strikes a spell over the Voodoo thanks to Villanova Junction, Conjuring Fate & Maverick

BELFAST'S Voodoo had a serious spell of rock and metal cast upon it's Fountain Street foundations as the gods of noise gathered to join the audience for a triple bout of hard rockin' and heavy metal being laid down upon those there to witness it.

The date (Friday, 5th September) had originally been scheduled with Maverick supporting Snakebite, but with the 'Bite not able to sink its fangs the Maverick crew invited Conjuring Fate and Villanova Junction to join them - and what an inspired move it was.

Troupers to the end, hard edged blues act Villanova Junction had to deal with a lack of regular stickman, so rather than their usual set they said they were "just going to jam" in the words of vocalist and guitarist Joel Harris, who then proceeded to lay down blistering solos, blues jamming, and dextrous runs up and down the fretboard as Josh Bickerstaff kept the bass nailed tight.

Guest vocalists, stand-in drummers...it made no difference. Playing their own songs and some inspired covers such as a slowed down 'Johnny Be Good' and 'Sweet Home Chicago' Villanova Junction proved that when there is talent adversity can be shunned for the show.

Many moons ago, the lord that was Tommy Vance shared his wisdom over the airwaves, and Kerrang! actually reported on metal, the music form that became dubbed as the New Wave of British Heavy Metal emerged and snarls, musicianship and skill counted.

Taking that 'hallowed' format, giving it a contemporary edge, and then kicking the living daylights out of it all for the sake of the music, the glory and the audience Conjuring Fate arose from the denizens and scenesters of Fountain Street on Friday, casting them a dismayed glance over their shoulders and shat a pure metal performance on the heads of all.

Unadulterated, unafraid, the Fate, led by Tommy's heroic vocals, flanked by Karl, Phil, Steve and backed by Boggy proved just why they are worthy of opening for Dragonforce, but for many also why they can stand toe to toe with many of the so-called 'big bands'.

Trading solos, riffs - and throwing the occasional 'proper' metal pose - Phil and Karl seared throughout the set. And, Phil showed the real reason why you put your foot on the monitor when playing with a flying 'V'. It's to nestle that awkward body somewhere...and the guitar too.

Drawing from their ep, 'House on Haunted Hill' and showing a varied and stylish take on their material. Recent shows in Dublin and Keady (on the same day!) have added yet more confidence.

But to have that musical swagger you got to be able to deliver on all levels - which undoubtedly Conjuring Fate did. The recent incarnations of bands like Helloween could do well to try to achieve this level of confident songwriting and performance. No re-treads here, Conjuring Fate were driving on brand new slicks as they tore across the Belfast evening.

Maverick - well this is where one has to take a back seat momentarily from the noise and buzz surrounding this ten-legged hard rock/metal act and try to be objective....

Ahhh fuck that - Maverick deserve every ounce of praise they get and every ounce they will get in the future. Just witness them perform, chuck objectivity out the window and get your head banging and fists in the air.

Dave Balfour stalks the stage, grin affixed, roaring for all his might as if the sleaze of the Sunset Strip of the mid-80s and the Hammy Odeon of glory metal days had been moved lock, stock and barrel of beer to Northern Ireland.

Ryan, finger fitness now restored, and Ric sounding like their combined 12 strings were 36 strings not 24, while Richie (bass) and Mike (drums) provided a musical backdrop that was as every bit precise as it was muscular.

With new album 'Quid Pro Quo' due for release at the end of November, Maverick aired new song, familiar anthemic rockers, metallic edge and downright good time madness was front and centre.

The airing of the lead release from the album 'Paint by Numbers' was just one of the many highlights. And, the moment somewhere in time that should have been caught by many more came when Maverick were joined on stage by Tommy and Phil from Conjuring Fate for Maiden's 'Wasted Years'.

From Villanova Junction through Conjuring Fate to Maverick: there is clear and evident proof that no years were wasted in preparing for musical majesty as the spellbound crowd acclaimed all three bands who wove their rock and metallic mystic magic at the Voodoo.

Review by Jonny

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