LIVE REVIEW: Masses of metal bringing the might of Belfast to bear for Metal2TheMasses final

SIX bands emerged from five heats and three semis to take to the stage in Belfast's Voodoo for the Northern Ireland final of Metal2TheMasses and a chance to play Bloodstock Open Air.

The sheer weight of talent on display throughout the weeks and months leading up to the final on Friday, 6th May. And, in Belfast it is appropriate to call the fight for Bloodstock it a titanic battle.

The prize was enough to see all on display push themselves further, cranking up the power and letting loose riffs and shredding.

With the running order chosen at random Sinocence took to the stage first. The bar was set high early with songs honed to razor sharp edge. New stricksman Ben has helped transform their melodic metal into a brooding monster.

It was like a Vulcan mind meld between the four members as they pounded through their half-hour slot.

Then the swords were held aloft as Scimitar brought thrash to the party. Bringing back their codology with plastic Scimitars handed out to the crowd. The band rose to a new level on the stage with recent shows helping them to have ever more positive stage presence.

As with all the acts they took hold of the opportunity presented by the scruff of the neck and produced a performance worthy of the final.

Brooding and menacing The Crawling emerged on to the stage like a snake uncoiling ready to strike a deadly blow. Well-paced, the three-piece manage to take slowed down death and when the time was right amp the speed up with a deadly blow to the senses.

Terrifying and tremendous The Crawling created metal havoc, striking with precision.

Death was in the house as Drakonis brought their blackened death metal to the stage with the right balance of drama in visuals and music. With the mic stand adorned by a skull and appropriate make-up it would be easy to let the music slip into second place, but that has never been the case with this incarnation of Drakonis.

They are now brimming with potential, poised to reach the next level.

For all their schlock rock schtick So Long Until The Séance (SLUTS) produce an edgy performance, with fun and metal in equal measures. Keetars, make-up and the sensibility of 80s metal merged with mock 90s horror rock.

The stage presence is infectious and brings grins and movement throughout the audience. SLUTS know how to work a crowd.

With a bang Cursed Sun bounce on to stage, with a well thought out exercise in contemporary metal, taking the sounds of noughties metal, and adding a Northern Ireland take on the sound. Twin guitars bringing a distinctive sounds that builds and builds through each song.

It is fair to say that Cursed Son can hammer out metal and melody in the right dose as they end the evening's music to a close with the audience baying to hear who would lift the prize.

After a raffle for a weekend pass to Bloodstock the man charged with making the decision, Mr Bloodstock Simon Hall - after a no doubt agonising decision took the mic and proclaimed The Crawling as winners; a decision he said was tough giving the quality on display.

Worthy winners, and equally worthy were all who took to the stage. For the bands it was a serious matter, but the audience were enthralled by six acts showing why Northern Ireland produces a diverse set of quality metal week in and week out.

Review by Jonny
Photographs by Darren McVeigh
Reproduction of images/words by explicit written permission only

Dream Theatre debut official vid for 'Our New World'

LEGENDARY prog-metal masters Dream Theater have debuted their official music video for "Our New World" taken from their critically acclaimed double concept album, 'The Astonishing', released in January by Roadrunner Records. [band photo attached]

The video, which premiered in the USA with The Wall Street Journal, highlights the band’s immersive and interactive live show and captures the prog-virtuosos’ transcendent performances from their recent world tour. Watch the official video for "Our New World" on YouTube below:



Consisting of 34 tracks spread across 2 unique acts, 'The Astonishing' debuted atop Billboard’s "Rock" and "Hard Rock" album charts, marking the group’s third No. 1 "Hard Rock" album following 'Black Clouds & Silver Linings' and 2013’s self-titled LP. In the UK, the record entered the main album chart at #11, the band's highest position ever in the UK.

"Even for a group that has blazed new trails consistently, there's never been anything to compare to 'The Astonishing', the full-blown rock-opera, jumbo-size concept album… Put simply, the new release lives up to its title in every way imaginable," exclaimed Rolling Stone.

Recorded at Cove City Sound Studios in Glen Cove, New York, with John Petrucci producing, studio luminary Richard Chycki (Aerosmith, Rush) engineering/mixing and legendary arranger, composer and conductor David Campbell orchestrating, 'The Astonishing' paints a tale of a retro-futurist post-apocalyptic dystopia ruled by medieval style feudalism. It’s a place aching for a Chosen One to rise above the noise and defeat an Empire defined by the endless drone of noise machines and the illusion of safety in bland conformity.

The Astonishing is available now at all DSP’s (http://flyt.it/DTTheAstonishing) is also available in a wide range of distinctive versions, including standard 2-CD set, 4-LP vinyl box set and a limited edition deluxe box set, all of which are currently available via Dream Theater’s webstore (http://flyt.it/DTTheAstonishingStore).

For additional news and information, please visit www.dreamtheater.net, www.facebook.com/dreamtheater, www.twitter.com/dreamtheaternet, www.youtube.com/dreamtheater, www.roadrunnerrecords.com, and www.instagram.com/DTImages.

INTERVIEW: Zlatanera speak about progress so far...

THEY have emerged as one of the hottest metal acts in Northern Ireland, combining groove, and Satan plus a mischievous sense of humour - they are Zlatanera.

In this interview we learn how they got their name, and how the song 'Idle Hand Sataniser' came about. It was recorded after the band had blasted out a great set in support of NOLA legends Corrosion of Conformity. (You can read the review here.)

Anto and Willie are the willing victims of our interrogation: Up the Satans!

COMIN' ACTHA: Weekend metal, rock and maybe a beer or six...

THIS weekend sees a clatter of good shows to tempt you away from your hearth and avoid the wall-to-wall election coverage.

We do hope that actually do vote (if you don't somebody else vote counts more) but once you've exercised your democratic rights you'll need a wee rest, so head up to the Eglantine to see Scimitar, The Crawling, and Shrouded - it's free event, but steady on before you get too ripped up.

That's because on Friday night we get to find out who is the winner of Norn Iron's Metal2TheMasses...after tortuous heats and semi-finals six bands are set to slug it out for the coveted slot at Bloodstock in August at Belfast's Voodoo.

Mr Bloodstock, Simon Hall, will preside over the performances of Cursed Sun, Drakonis, Sinocence, So Long Until the Séance (SLUTS), Scimitar and The Crawling.

All for the measly sum of £5 (and there's other 'stuff' on the night to keep you entertained, as always).

Saturday sees Lo Mejor play the Diamond and the Screaming Eagles (unplugged) in O'Reilly's.

And, down at The Distortion Project's Saturday evening show sees The Irontown Diehards pre-album release show, with support from Cross Eyed Mary and On Parole.

Here's a wee taste of the Diehards...

INTERVIEW: Part two of our interview with Cormac and Paul from The Answer

THIS is part two of our interview with The Answer. (Watch Part One Here).

This was recorded at The Answer's County Down studio. Recording was by Darren and Zakk; production assistant was Tina.

LIVE REVIEW: Finland brings the party to Belfast in a folk metal fest courtesy of Moonsorrow and Korpiklaani

LET'S face it the words folk and metal should not, in a sane universe, be used in the same dimension let alone in the same sentence. Folk - that's earnest men in aran sweaters with acoustic guitars and weird English accents. Metal - well that's us.

Add in a liberal dose of 'Finland' and nothing would have made sense of this to the progenitors of heavy metal and fans of metal in the 70s and 80s.

But, when those of that vintage stumble upon this alternate dimension there is nothing else to do, but smile, raise a glass and join in the fun.

Fun is such a small word, and when Moonsorrow and Korpilaani roll into Belfast on the latest leg of their Finnish Folk Metal Mafia tour fun grows from just three letters to a Sunday night Limelight2 full on party as smiles and cheers mingle amidst a swirl of the most positive emotions.

Moonsorrow take to the stage first and it is fair to say that ahead of the event many of the audience would not be as familiar with their material, but within a few chords there was no doubt that they won over many new fans.

Despite being self-avowed pagan metallers the synth lines add the folk elements above the all-out aural attack. Latest release 'Jumalten Aika' features throughout the set. Eight plus songs over 90 minutes might seem like overlong songs, but not one seems like too much.

Ville is a commanding front man, and the entire band provide their own coherent contribution to the set, including some witty to and fro with the audience.

As they conclude with the chug and roll of 'Sankaritarina' there is a clear sense of welcome from the crowd to the band. Pagan, black, folk, battle metal, or whatever it is simply great.

As to Korpiklaani, this is their second Belfast show in less than 18 months, and as they are about to take to the stage there is a sense of anticipation. In their previous incarnation, the band like Moonsorrow used synth sounds. Now, the accordion and electric fiddle not only give the band different tones, but provide three-dimensional visual elements to compliment Jonne as the focal point.

Songs come fast at the audience, prompting joy amongst those fortunate to be in attendance. Despite the fact that many of the songs are in their native Finnish, the crowd is familiar with the tracks, and the energy from the stage translates into unprompted cheers, movement and some of the weirder dances ever seen in Belfast's Ormeau Avenue.

It is a pure party and, of course, alcohol features in the closing trio of songs that see the audience joining in with (slightly slurred) vigour. 'Wooden Pints', Vodka' and 'Beer Beer' are the perfect conclusion.

Folk metal? Who cares what it means, or does not mean. We stepped into the parallel universe, took the red pill, slipped down the rabbit hole and found it was fun.

Review by Jonny
Pics by Darren
Reproduction of review and/or pictures only by prior written permission.

LIVE REVIEW: All the groove as Corrosion of Conformity land in Belfast again with local heroes Zlatanera

IT seems they like it in Belfast, because Corrosion of Conformity rolled up on Sunday May 1st for the second time in the city in less than a year. And, they delivered a set as if they were young pups rather than seasoned, tried and tested NOLA veterans.

In a lesson that could be learned by many a band the members of Corrosion of Conformity mingle with the audience before doors, sip pints and have their pictures taken. Simple courtesy to the fans and good manners.

Before they bring their southern groove Satan was in the house, as Zlatanera bring their devilish sound to a venue that was filling up for Sunday's service at the Church of Metal. They are a band that has been building and growing at a steady rate; sure-footed and wily as a serpent instilled with metal blood.

The collective experience in other bands have been telling as they have emerged from the local pack. The excellent 'Legerdemain' album is the cumulative song writing that encapsulates everything the band have been striving for, but live the tracks develop their own intensity.

Despite being cramped on stage this was one of Zlatanera's best sets to date. There is a sense of purpose, a clear sighted vision of what they want to achieve, as tracks such as 'Idle Hand Sataniser' and 'Holy Man's Crook' have the live breath that many try and fail to achieve.

Sure, some of the backing tracks used to introduce tracks may seem a little silly to those without a sense of humour, but they are carefully deployed and are well observed by the audience.

Big things await Zlatanera.

And, big is a good way to describe Corrosion of Conformity's sound. As was the case in June 2015 they have a fuck off, honestly ear busting grooves, no doubt aided by an old school big back line. Digital compression, overly complicated pre-amps? Nah, stick a big stack up there, plug in and play.

Foundations rumbled, the crowd roared and CoC played. Pepper and Woody wield their axes with deceptive ease, while Mike and Reid anchor everything together.

With a set list that includes most fans it is almost impossible to credit one track over another.

'Wiseblood', 'Stonebreaker', and 'Vote With A Bullet' are worthy of mentions in dispatches, but in truth all the songs stand as equals in this set.

And, it is a sign of the class of the band that rather than the usual schtick of going off stage expecting the crowd to bay for an encore they dander off with Pepper saying they're taking five minutes to have a beer and relax before the final set of songs.

In a world beset by bands bigger than their own boots, with mouths bigger than their talents Corrosion understand the simple things. Their job is to play music, and they do it well. They don't think that they are anything different from the fans who come to their shows.

Which makes the adoration they receive all the more understandable.

Review by Jonny
Pictures by Darren
Reproduction of words and images by explicit written permission only.

INTERVIEW: The Answer from the studio as they get ready for touring, 10th anniversary of Rise, festivals and a new album

THE Answer are about to embark on a massive summer. It's the 10th anniversary of début album Rise, which they are re-issuing with re-mastered tracks, work is almost done on their forthcoming release.

Add into all that and the band are getting set for a mini-UK tour, that will see them play Rise in full, and culminating in a Belfast date at the Limelight on June 3rd.

After that they'll be hitting festival dates, including Ramblin Man Fair.

We ventured down to The Answer's County Down studio to catch up with Cormac and Paul to reflect on these. Interview below.