Gig review: Band Quest Kent Metal Semi 4 @ Red Lion - 30/04/10
The Lion's second metal semi-final brought some heavy talent to the venue tonight. Shatterpoint (8/10) ripped straight into some sweaty, guttural blues metal. Driven by deep grooves, band pounded along, every instrument locking together and making every beat slam through the air. Between songs, the band roared down at the crowd like silverback gorillas in mating season, eager for the win. "And we're on first!" the singer exclaims, crowd cheering back at him. This is a great start to the evening and the bar has been set high for the next two bands.
But the next band had no problem smashing the bar down and unleashing the thrash violence that is Sanity Burns (9) upon the crowd. Mixing their old and new thrash influences, this band has created a hybrid rhythmn that borders between Testament and Lamb Of God. Pounding drum beats and wailing wah-wah solos show that this band have brought skills from all around the thrash genre, but what really sets this band apart is the intense frontman. Barely leaving the front of the stage for the entire set he screamed down at the audience with bold aggression, making sure the band can not go unnoticed. If you like your thrash with a fist in the cheek, then Sanity Burns are more than happy to oblige.
The closing act for tonight is another bout of thrash metal, courtesy of Seven (8). However, taking the opposite tact from Sanity Burns, this band are all about harmonising lead guitars, high Ian Gillian style vocals and clever riffing. The audience is at is biggest tonight, yet for such a talented band the crowd seem to be a little unwilling to mosh. While the other two bands had an undeniable energy onstage, perhaps this band just aren't aggressive enough for the Red Lion.
Review by Adam Evans