Gig review: Band Quest Kent Metal Final @ Red Lion - 30/05/10
It was only a year ago when Snakebite stormed to the Bloodstock Metal 2 The Masses Kent title with Denounce taking the overall Band Quest honours. A year can be a long time though and since then some of the local acts had split, fallen into a state of comatose or simply moved on.
While Falling Empire opened up last years final with a ferocious set of stomping metalcore, it was down to the more measured approach of TRAINING INCARUS (7.5/10) this time round. With the clean and cutting guitar solos from Martin Eldon and soaring vocals of Leigh Turner the bands well constructed and hook-laden metal songs made for a perfect start to the day, 'Nightmares' ending the set off nicely.
INNER FIRE (8) are on something of a roll at the moment, improving with every performance. Today was no exception as they pummelled the early crowd with a relentless barrage of melodic metal. Both Alex Lewis and Nik Sampson were on top form exchanging guitar solos in a thrilling and pulsating thirty minute set. The level of intensity that now emanates from Inner Fire in a live environment is sometimes frightening, boding well for a possible charge for Bloodstock next year. SEVEN (6) by contrast were off the pace. Their traditionally aimed power metal never hit home despite containing some of the best melodies of the day.
There were no such problems for a certain Dartford 5-piece. If any band on the day smashed the sound barrier it was self proclaimed progressive film-score metallers SPLINTERED SOUL (8). Mandi Bailey's operatic vocal style set them apart from the other bands, with the likes of 'The epic' crashing around the venue in all its pomp and majesty. It was a performance far removed from the shaky semi-final set and one which will see them grace Bloodstock next year.
Hardcore mob KARYBDIS (7.5) were virtually unknown in these parts before the final, but their whirlwind stomach punch of a set meant that is no longer the case. Front man Gil Renault bounces with uncontrollable energy across the stage spitting out the vocals like a Jamey Jasta on speed. By the end of the set most of the crowd had been sucked into the core with Karybdis walking away with a venue load of new fans. One of the pleasures of Band Quest 2010 has been the sight of sludgy heavyweights KILL THE MACHINE (7) destroying their London stronghold, the New cross Inn. Today the bass-heavy thud of their Crowbar-come-Gates of Slumber ambush doesn't seem as potent in the larger spaces of the Red Lion. Despite this the number of heads slowly banging to 'Control' is an achievement in itself. They will most likely cause a bigger bang in the London final in June.
Next up were local metallers SANITY BURNS (8), who were unquestionably one of the best new bands in last years competition until they fell to the sublime Snakebite. It was always going to be interesting to see how they took to it this year and they answered any doubters by storming through their heats into the final. Sounding like Testament fronted by Randy Blythe they now have the stage presence to really push their fine collection of thrash arrangements into the faces of all before them. In one of the best supported performances of the day Sanity Burns blitz Gravesend with a superb display of riffs and aggression. Front man Chris Simmons covers the entire stage on at least ten occasions, but in a way which includes the crowd, dragging any non-believers by the hair kicking and screaming into the malestorm of their music. They may currently cling a little too hard to their influences but if their milatry like improvement continues another serious attempt at playing Bloodstock is surely on the horizon.
Canterbury metallers CALLOUS (6.5) are one slick outfit, pushing out some fine guitar solos throughout their performance. Unfortunately the Gravesend crowd never really takes to their Trivium-for-a-Valentine style set leaving the venue thirsting for something a little grittier in the form of ZOCALO (7.5).
Over the last 3-4 years Zocalo have become the daddies (and mothers...) of local groove metal and today their familiarity shines through. The bluesy rhythms emanating from Pete Humphries guitar have really come into their own during Band Quest 2010, set free by the addition of an extra guitarist. Today’s performance was more of a sun drenched stroll in the park thanks to a set made up of mid-paced southern ditties rather than the Clutch bothering roller coasters that were their heat and semi final gigs. This didn't bother the beer swilling crowd though as Zocalo grabbed the additional Bloodstock spot and the overall Band Quest title. Zocalo have proved that good old hard work combined with a little southern comfort can bring its rewards.
Having played Bloodstock only 2 years previously CURSED AS ANGELS (7.5) were one of the more experienced bands on the bill. With a local crowd to be proud of they treated their home support to a set of crushing metal anthems. They are blessed with some of the finest material in the competition, which helped them to be voted one of the best unsigned bands in the UK by TotalRock in 2008. Ex Fleshwound front man Pete Bickerstaffe had big shoes to fill when he took over vocal duties and it may take a while for his differing style to make the earth shattering impact the band really needed today.
If Orange Goblin are part of the paintwork at the CroBar then Denounce (8) are the metal foundations on which the Red Lion stands. Playing as guest headliners after the competitive part of the day was over their cutting edge metal onslaught was all that was needed to sap the last remnants of energy left in anyone. Their violent take of melodic metal has wowed everyone from Bloodstock, Terrorizer, Metal Hammer and Zero Tolerance. Today they go about their business as usual, battering the crowd into submission, the likes of 'Solace' burning the faces off anyone too close to the raging inferno on stage.
As Denounce bring the day to a close the results are announced and everyone is left looking forward to a Bloodstock Festival featuring the likes of Cannibal Corpse, Devin Townsend, Children of Bodom, Meshuggah AND Splintered Soul and Zocalo.
Review by Alan Hicks