LIVE REVIEW: Blind Guardian and Gloryhammer bring the power to Dublin

SURE power/symphonic metal is just ridiculous, all those stupid lyrics, the pomposity and the posturing...wrong! It can be all those things and be magnificent, majestic and much more.

Such was the case when Blind Guardian and Gloryhammer lay siege to a packed Academy in Dublin on 19th May.

On the topic of silliness Gloryhammer take the proverbial biscuit, munch it up, add an oversize hammer and an extra dash of Hoots.

Angus McFife (Thomas Winkler) battled the evil sorcerer Zargothrax (Christopher Bowes) on stage as we morphed between the medieval battles across the kingdom of Fife, to the inter-dimensional space time shift that saw the 'Rise of the Chaos Wizards'.

Okay, stop sniggering at the back, sure it is silly, it is preposterous, but it works. The Academy sang along to 'Hail the Crail' and Winkler was a bundle of energy, cajoling the crowd, and James Cartwright (Hootsman) sank a can down his throat as the audience chanted 'Hoots' in acclaim.

It was a set that won over doubters and earned new fans for Gloryhammer.

As soon as the lights dimmed later for Blind Guardian the roar intensified as Hansi strode on stage with a grin almost as wide as the stage itself.

They are something of symphonic/power metal royalty across Europe since emerging from Krefeld, Germany in the mid 1980s.

As such the majority of those in attendance were familiar with the songs, and some were even spotted humming along to the guitar solos as André and Marcus played with a telepathic intensity and rigour.

The first four songs flew by - well the fourth was 'Fly'. It was a set packed with stand out songs, and in truth was filled with songs that brought the crowd with them into metal ecstasy.

Amongst the stellar tracks were 'Lord of the Rings', 'Journey Through The Dark and 'Valhalla'.

The re-introduction of 'Wheel of Time' into the set received a rapturous response and the closing duo of 'The Bard's Song' and 'Mirror Mirror' bore testament to a band in the shape of Blind Guardian that can pace a set, can perform at just the right level at the right time, and can engage all present throughout their set.

Gloryhammer and Blind Guardian sent the audience out into the Dublin night air happy, smiling, and already exchanging their favourite points of the show. and no matter what part of the music business it is, both bands can slap themselves on the back as to a job well done.

Review by Jonny - Photos by Darren McVeigh - Reproduction by express written permission only

NOT A REVIEW, AN OVERVIEW.... Hard Rock Hell - Ibiza Road Trip 7, carnage, chaos, fun and traffic jams

THIS is not a review, because it was a holiday, vacation, call it what you will, but the reporter's hat was handed in, the journalist's quill was set aside at the airport, and the notepad buried deep in the bottom of the backpack, but it would be remiss not to give a mention to HRH Ibiza Road Trip here.

It was such a unique experience the scream went up "why have we not done this before?", and "Can we afford next year".

Of course, Ibiza is known as the destination for ravers, clubbers as they head off in drug addled states to listen to trance, electronic dance music, or whatever else shite they find entertaining.

But for one week the island's city of San Antonio sees several hundred rockers and metallers descend upon its bars and restaurants before heading off to see bands of a dizzying variety.

The organisation, as with all HRH events is superb, and provided all attendees with some fresh and novel ways to keep the crowds amused...

It is fair to say that after airport rules were applied (no matter the hour you are allowed pints) our contingent from Northern Ireland arrived refreshed [Editor's note: thirstier than they started}, we checked in, met our HRH rep, Harri and ventured forth.

Now in the sunshine as you walk past a bar which proclaims from two signs that pints of San Miguel cost a whopping Two Euros and Fifty Cents. As Meat Loaf's antagonist said: "Stop Right There!"

So quaffing began, and in the surreal world of the HRH Ibiza Road Trip you end up sharing a pint with Evil Scarecrow drummer, Jordan (you owe me a pint, sir).

Now, owing to the continual flow of cheap pints of the Wednesday night we can recall Trucker Diablo's set (excellent as always!) before taking a taxi back to the hotel.

Thursday it emerged that rockers and metallers can survive in the sunshine...yes sunbeds occupied by long haired, tattooed types smearing sun cream over each other.

One of the features of the Ibiza Road trip is the band's are staying at the same hotel as the fans. We were fortunate to have RSJ, Diamond Head, Stoneghost and Tygers of Pan Tang at our hotel, and all were happy to mingle, chat and exchange road stories.

How do the organisers manage to get several hundred rockers in three hotels across the bay to the venue. First assemble them and march to the dock. There ensued traffic jams as the masses crossed zebra crossings...

And, why were we going to the docks? Of course, for a boat ride to the other side of the bay. Nobody was drowned...an achievement in itself. Return journey could be achieved for a modest fee in a taxi, or await the HRH laid on bus back.

There were bands aplenty, with each night themed as AOR, NWOBHM, Metal etc. It would be unfair to list any as top acts, but Diamond Head, Bonafide, Vardis and RSJ shone bright.

The venue for these shows was, it has to be said neither disability friendly, nor really rock friendly either, but that didn't stop the fun.

The last night of music saw us all decamp to an abandoned zoo, yes an abandoned zoo. usually the venue for raves etc. But for one night...

Swimming pools, a rockin' foam party - yes rockers almost drowned in a sea of foam that topped even the tallest - four acoustic sets and then into the main venue.

Pontius Snibb's Blues Band performed a quite extraordinary set of jaw dropping excellence.

Topping the night off was laughter and singalong. Hayseed Dixie. Plain good fun, delivered with an intelligent set played with a knowing wink of the eye.

On the return journey we all sang the songs, but videos posted since show that singing was a loose term for what was performed.

With the last formal night simply drinking the next day the general consensus was it was a helluva good time...

A special mention must go to Fleur, Terri, Jonni and Harri for keeping us all safe and emphasising that we were there to enjoy the hell out of our selves.

Not a review by Jonny

Neil Reed's group pic of some of the hallions who attended:

Some of the hallions at Pacific Hotel - rockers and metallers alive in sunshine...

 

LIVE REVIEW: Irontown Diehards bring style and hard rockin vibes to Limelight

WITH their album release date getting closer and closer, 'style' icons and hard rockers Irontown Diehards brought the volume to Limelight2 on Saturday May 7th.

And, that sense of rockin' style came through in spades, with an aural attack that left everyone grinning.

Opening the evenings entertainment were On Parole. From their earlier days this band have evolved from trading on Motorhead licks to gathering their own sound. A few more gigs and they'll have an even more polished sound.

Cross-Eyed Mary have also improved recently, but a lack of distinct separation across the three guitars sometimes muddies the performance. They have the tunes but need to figure out how best to balance out their sound.

Irontown Diehards have developed a sound and image that delivers power and panache in equal measure. Dapper and deadly.

Phil is a consummate frontman, with a voice and on-stage attitude, ably engaging the audience and drawing them down the front.

While Andrew adds the flourishes on guitar to songs like 'For The Rose' and 'Horizon' the sound is balanced by Mark (bass) and Gordy (drums) keep the sound nailed down.

Of course there have always been comments about the band's image - sharp suited, trilbys and fob watches.

With a new twist on Saturday the band donned brown coats to cover their suits as they set up. And, that is the key to ID. The style is adopting a sense of wit - it's not laugh seeking, it just is a wry smile, a wink to the knowing, and an attempt to add a flourish to the music.

The Irontown Diehards sound isn't contrived, rather the music and look work together to produce something worth paying attention to.

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

Ugly Kid Joe release new video 'Under The Bottom' featuring Phil Campbell

UGLY KID JOE are playing Belfast in November this year - and they have just released their new video. The video is at the bottom of the post, but here's the blurb about the new album.

After a 19-year hiatus, Ugly Kid Joe return with a brand new, full-length album entitled "Uglier Than They Used Ta Be".

The album was recorded at Balance Studios in Covington, Louisiana under the helm of Dave Fortman (Slipknot, Godsmack, Evanescence) and featured a 7-member line up of Ugly Kid Joe – the "Seven Headed Monster".

The chemistry flows so well throughout this new release, it's as though they never left. ‘Uglier Than They Used Ta Be’ boasts a collection of well-crafted rock tunes, from the riff driven ‘Let The Record Play’ to the hard-hitting ‘Hell Aint Hard to Find’. It truly is a collection of some of the best songs ever written by the band which is highlighted with tracks such as ‘Under The Bottom’ and the emotionally driven ‘Enemy’.

Whitfield Crane (Vocals) and Klaus Eichstadt (Guitars) teamed up with Sonny Mayo (Guitars), Shannon Larkin (Drums), Zac Morris (Drums), Cordell Crockett (Bass) and Dave Fortman (Guitars) to write and record in the studio. The result is the most cohesive sounding Ugly Kid Joe record to date.

"It's a full circle of sorts," says UKJ frontman Whitfield Crane "there was a lot of love and talent in one room and that is exactly what this album sounds like."

The album also includes a cover of the Motorhead classic "Ace of Spades", which features Motörhead guitarist Phil Campbell. Phil also appears on the tracks ‘My Old Man’ and ‘Under The Bottom’

"Uglier Than They Used Ta Be" - Track Listing

1. Hell Ain't Hard To Find
2. Let The Record Play
3. Bad Seed
4. Mirror The Man
5. She's Already Gone
6. Nothing Ever Changes
7. My Old Man
8. Under The Bottom
9. Ace of Spades
10. Enemy
11. Papa Was A Rollin Stone

INTERVIEW: Simon Hall from Bloodstock talks ahead of NI's Metal2TheMasses heat

WHEN it comes to Bloodstock Metal2TheMasses one man decides the winners of each heat, Mr Simon Hall. On a Sunday Friday in Belfast we caught up with Simon ahead of the final (Review is here.)

He also talks about Bloodstock and how as head of programming there is one band he can't wait to see.

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