Gig Reviews

Early 6 o clock doors meant I arrived late with Unfathomable Ruination already a song in and playing to a fairly empty venue as those with work/other commitments failed to make it across London for the early start to the Friday night shenanigans.  Hats off to the band, they ploughed through their short set like the room is full and even with regular guitarist Daniel Herrara unable to play the band still sound tight, pounding through a slamming set with the position filled by Marek Golas of Lost Souls.  The lack of bodies in the room is made up by the enthusiasm both on and off stage as a few lads decide to...

Early Saturday is a time usually filled with headaches, toast and regret; it is most certainly not one to be spent hammering feet across the cold concrete of Leeds while wolfing down day-old Sainsbury’s. But that’s exactly where we found ourselves due to an unforeseen technical issues (most certainly NOT sleeping through our alarm clocks). Metalgigs: prodding at the seedy underbelly of gonzo journalism and eating stale crisps since 2011.

All of which means we were...

It's pissing down outside and the beer is over four quid a pint. None of that matters as the mighty Dying Fetus are playing tonight. They are a band that have been overlooked by some, underestimated by many, and have a name to make your mum cringe. It seems odd in a way that one of the most controversial and heavy bands to grace the metal scene are playing a Club normally associated with coke huffing hipsters and E'd up ravers, but I'm in anticipation all the same. As the crowd builds a mixture of...

Like many a gig reviewer before me, I fell prey to the vagaries of Friday night traffic and only arrived halfway through Revocations set, thereby missing Aeon entirely, for which I can only apologise. Upon arrival Revocation were in full flow and full control. Prior to the gig, I had felt pretty sure that Revocation would struggle in the face of Cannibal Corpse's rabid audience but I was totally mistaken. The huge pit was threshing wildly and the roars of appreciation even from the very back of the venue, where I was initially stood, were full and meaty. The likes of 'Madness Opus' and 'No Funeral' which closed the set were lapped up by...

For a line up consisting of two of the undergrounds’ most hyped bands, it’s a surprise to find a fairly lacklustre turn out for tonight’s In Solitude and Beastmilk double header. It might be a sign of autumnal apathy, but it means a huge number of people missing out on a real highlight of this year’s gig calendar.

Daniel Bay is the warm up act tonight, kicking the night off with a very different vibe from the two headliners. A native of In Solitude’s hometown Uppsala, he has been brought over specifically for tonight’s show. Daniel is an acoustic singer/songwriter who does a great job of writing memorable songs that marry major...

Last Tuesday, Opeth were in Glasgow and, as usual, I couldn’t resist. Touring Europe with their French shoegazing/post-metal friends Alcest, they’re in the process of promoting the release of their latest album, Pale Communion (August 2014). I’ll guiltily admit that Opeth, to me, are like the faithful partner in a long term relationship; well-proven yet familiar, whereas Alcest are new and exciting, strange and mysterious. Opeth’s retrospective transformation with Heritage (2011) and Pale Communion (2014) is, say, your wife quitting her...

Monday night saw the Indigo2 in London host the Metal Hammer Golden God Awards 2014 and predictably it was a combination of ear-splitting shredding, scantily clad hostesses and beer soaked flooring.

The 12th annual event once again elevated itself from the usual industry backslapping of most ceremonies by inviting hundreds of fans to attend. No pretence of glamour and gossip, just plenty of head-banging, live music and shambolic speeches.

After openers Behemoth brought some...

This was my first visit to Bush Hall in Shepherds Bush, and after travel delays and late arrival, I ventured into the rather expansive space of the main Hall to find Wovenhand were already about to take the stage.  Built in 1904 and originally used as a dance hall it's a suitably impressive venue, full of chandeliers, decorative wall and ceiling coverings, mirrors, and a giant red curtain covering the back of the stage that looks like it was stolen straight out of the Twin Peaks set.

Considering how many...

Incineration Festival: it does exactly what it says on the tin. Inside the sauna-like confines of the Highbury Garage, fifteen bands from six countries play two stages; melting more faces than the Ark of The Covenant.

First up for us were Slegest, who build on gloomy foundations not far removed from the grooving black n’ roll riffing laid down by Vried, guitarist Ese’s former dayjob. If any criticism can be flung at the Norwegian quartet, it’s that...