Gig Review: Band Quest Kent Metal Heat 2 @ Bull n Vic - 16/02/10
It seems like only a few weeks ago when SNAKEBITE were celebrating their route from Band Quest 2009 to Bloodstock, but here we are in the second week of Band Quest 2010 already.
Competition veterans ZOCALO (8/10) know the highs and lows of the road to Bloodstock. They reached the final in the initial competition but were dumped out the first round in 2009 by a massive sounding FALLING EMPIRE. ZOCALO are a different beast this year though. The addition of a second guitarist in the form of INNER FIRE man Nik Sampson means the rhythms of Pete Humphries can remain at the forefront of the bands sound, taking the crowd on a ride through groove city. Hardly anyone in the rammed venue could stand still as ZOCALO moved into the semi-finals.
Next up were ABANDON THE FAITH (7.5) who went onto blitz the crowd with a twenty-five miniute set of combustible riffs and guttural growls. The initial hesitancy identified some members lack of stage time but the overall set was like a short, sharp shock to the senses. The music was not just a flat out aural battery though, containing enough twists and turns in its deathcore meets seering metal attack to keep every minute of the set interesting and suggesting this band could be one hell of a handful when they have played more than two gigs. If INTO EXILE were the best new band of last year then ABANDON THE FAITH are gunning for that title this time around.
Headliners FATE BUILT REASON (6.5) had a lot to do if they were going to see off the challenge of the first two bands. Their metalcore approach entertained on the most part but lacked a crucial cutting edge. Despite this the melody driven choruses hinted at a more exciting future.
If there are many more nights like this one then the future for Band Quest and local music is gonna be a whole lotta rosie.
Review by Alan Hicks