Gig review: Metal final @ Drayman, Bexleyheath - 05/05/08
The Darbex metal final got off to a crunching start thank to VIOLATION COMPLEX (7.5/10). Their brand of progwarped extreme metal was the perfect way to wake anyone bogged down by the increasing heat inside the venue.
Trad metallers CONQUEST (6.5) were next, displaying a song writing ability which escapes many a contemporary act. SCHIZOPHRENIA (6.5) released their Exodus meets Lamb of God thrash onto the biggest crowd thus far. The riffs did the talking. Although not crackling with the brilliance that saw them perform a breathtaking set a month before, SIZEN (7.5) still showed their epic, mature metal is one of the best sounds around. On a hot and sweaty day the groove-laden assault of ZOCALO (8) was always going to go down a storm. Petes rhythmic guitar sound seemed to be a perfect companion to the sun, the heat and the tasty burgers....
A week before ARXIS (7.5) had deservedly pushed DENOUNCE all the way in their semi-final with probably the best power metal set ever performed in Bexleyheath. Today though their technical brilliance along with their soaring choruses were just slightly off the pace. The same could be said for DESIGNS OF CHAOS (6) whos Pantera-ish stomping riffs somehow got lost between the die-for-metal heroics of ARXIS and the first special guests SEVENYEARSDEAD (8). Although Manchesters finest also use Pantera as a blueprint there are also a lot more influences thrown into the melting pot. Skid Rowesque vocal parts met near industrial like riffage which was topped off by an energetic performance which helps show just how many gigs they have played over the years.
Halfway through the set of death metallers DENOUNCE (8.5) there seemed to be a point where they moved from being 'just' a technically excellent and solid death metal machine to one which would easily fit on the Bloodstock stage. The last three songs were simply brilliant and were delivered with such ferocity it was hard to see how anyone else could follow. Maybe the only band who could follow on the day was SILENT DESCENT (8). With an ever growing fanbase and a top album to back them up SILENT DESCENT seem destined to outgrow such small venues. The mix of death riffage and ...gulp, nu-metal influences saw them whip the crowd into the biggest frenzy of the day. Unfortanately everyone seemed knackered by the time WITHOUT REMORSE (7) hit the stage with their bellowing metal attack which lacked its usual punch.
Local legends and national tour addicts THE INBREDS (7.5) finished off the day in style, concentrating on newer material but it was the local 'classic' tracks which really finished the crowd off for good.
So that was that. Four months, nine heats, three semi-finals and some damn fine performances that will live long in memory.
Same time next year....?
Review by Alan Hicks