LOSTPROPHETS & Eden Maine - The Glasgow Garage - Tuesday 28th October '03

The last time Lostprophets came were in Glasgow was a year ago almost to date.So tonight is 2003's biggest emo-kid gathering!!! Last year though Lostprophets carried along a much bigger support. Last years line up was Douglas,Audiovent and The Movilelife.This time its welsh metacore outfit and good mates of the prohets, Eden Maine.On a short and sweet note,for any fans of Poison The Well...you will love Eden Maine.With a mixture of rusty growls and screams and  mood setting melodic,emotional vocals with the usual metalcore expected double kicking drums and strong stand-out riffage...Eden Maine are impressive.The energy of the band,the singer in particular,get most of the crowd of their feet.But due to lostprophets fan base and the genre they are "linked" to,a lot of the crowd seem none-the-less unimpressed.All in all,although Eden Maine may not be the "ideal" support for a "emo/nu-metal" outfit, they do a good job. EDEN MAINE - (7/10) 

The headliners,Lostprophets may not have been around for the past year but tonights gig is still highly anticipated.With a new album due in early 2004, a lot of new material is expected to be on show and that it is.With songs such as "The Handsome Life Of Swing","...And She Told Me To Leave" and "For Sure" present from 2001's "thefakesoundofprogress"....the crowd seem to be happy.Vocalist Ian Watkins toys with the crowd and teases the female percentage of the crowd by asking if they want him to take his shirt of....lame attempt of a scream or two i thought.Also present,along with a string of brand new songs which seem impressively different from the debut stuff,is the hit single "The Fake Sound Of Progress".As the set draws to a close,the pits start to open up a bit more.Even more so for the well know anthem "Shinobi vs Dragon Ninja".This was the 3rd last song of the evening.Its nearly 10 oclock and 2 songs left.The next song was a brand new one,a heavy effort which showed the impressive screaming vocal side of turntablist Jamie.But to close the set,inevitabley Lostprophets finish with their brand new single "Burn Burn".Since last years Barrowlands performance,Lostprophets have progressed and matured very much.The stage presence is there,the songs are there and the female fans are there....what more can a band need?? LOSTPROPHETS - (8/10)

BILLY TALENT - King Tuts Wah Wah Hut - Tuesday 28th October '03

For this gig, I have no idea who are what the support bands were and what they were like.Immediately after Lostprophets came offstage at the Garage we rushed down to St.Vincent Street to see Canadian quintet Billy Talent! I had hung out with Billy Talent earlier in the day and knew that it was a set not to be missed.We arrived just in time to see all of their set. They kicked off with the opening track from their debut self-titled album "This Is How It Goes".This song is a fine example of vocalist Ben Kowalewicz's extraordinary vocals.Perhaps the most extraordinary aspect of Billy Talent is the style of guitarist Ian D'Sa's hair....it is basically undescribable...if you have seen Billy Talent,in picture or on TV you will know what i mean.Anyway,the band rattled through the songs from their recently released album including such favourites as "Living In The Shadows", "Line & Sinker", "The Ex", " Cut The Curtains" and the less known "River Below" and "Standing In The Rain".Also the song that seemed to finally get the crowd singing was the current single "Try Honesty" which is undoubtabley the song that kick started Billy Talents UK fanbase! To end the set (before the encore) was the anthemic "Prisoner Of Today" which not only shows the bands talent as a whole but the talent of the bands energetic stage presence! The song seems to go on forever as after the recorded regular version of the song Ben (vocalist) disappears from the stage and the rest of the band (Ian D'Sa - guitar, Jon Gallant - bass and Aaron Solowonuik on drums) extend the song by showing of their musical talent together. When the band reappear they announce the next song as a Fugazi cover. I have no idea which Fugazi song it was as I am not a fan but it sounded VERY good.To finish off the set,the next song is introduced by Ben asking the crowd about how many times they have been lied to and to balance it out with how many times they have lied...the song is called "Lies" funnily enough and closes the set very well.Billy Talent are one of the better things to come out of Canada...we all know how much we all hate the likes of Sum 41, Avril Lavigne and the hellishly annoying sound of Nickelback! Billy Talent have the potential to go far,very far.After a summer tour with the likes of Incubus,Boysetsfire,Janes Addiction and Audioslave on Lollapalooza and an appearence at the Carling Festival.Im warning you all....to expect to see a hell of a lot more of this impressive band from Toronto!!! BILLY TALENT (10/10)

ROADRUNNER ROADRAGE 2003 - The Glasgow Garage - Friday 31st October '03

Featuring: CHIMAIRA / ILL NINO / SPINESHANK

Its Halloween and its the chosen date that three of Roadrunners young up and coming bands have come to Glasgow as part of the Roadrage yearly tour package,and what a line up it is. Chimaira, who are playing their first ever Scottish show are on first much to the dismay of the crowd.A lot of people were still coming in when they were on and loads of unfortunate fans missed their set due to them arriving late.Luckily enough I made it in in time for the whole set.The set included power full speeding metal mostly from their new album "The Impossibility Of Reason" such as the songs "Cleansation", "Power Trip" and "Eyes Of A Criminal".During the set the band,who were clearly starting the night off with a bang,announced that they will be coming back to UK shores for their own headlining tour in January or February (more news in NEWS page).Mark Hunters growling amazing vocals were awesome and the power the band as a whole was immense!Half way through their short during the hit song "Split" taken from their debut album "Pass Out Of Existence", Mark Hunter insisted he wanted to see the corwd split! This is obviously known as a wall-of-death!!!!As the riff flowed and the bass drum kicked each side of the crowd ran at each other,leaving many casualties but smiling casualites.To finish the set off, Hunetr announced "This song..... is on tv".A lot of people may have thought the bands last single "Down Again" was on the way but Chimaira made their presence felt when they fired into the incredible "Pure Hatred" and almost instantly the 700 odd capacity of the Garage (well of those who had made it in on time) were screaming "I HATE EVERYONE!!" along with Mark Hunter!! No way should Chimaira have been the first band on at the gig,they were clearly the best band on the bill. Anyways,everyone and anyone.....ill see you at King Tuts at the end of January for Chimaira's headlining show!! CHIMAIRA (10/10)
      

   Next up were Latin-Metallers Ill Nino.Frontman Christian Machado promtly announced that it is drummer Dave Chavari's 30th birthday the following day and that everyone give him a cheer.....once again....like Mark Hunters growls during Chimaira's set,the Garage was filled with Cheers!!!Ill Nino kicked off the set with the popular "If You Still Hate Me" from the bands platinum debut album "Revolution Revolucion".Their blinding set also featured newer songs such as "Te Amo...I Hate You",  "Unframed" and "Lifeless...Life...".Ill Nino,unlike Chimaira,this was their 4th visit to Glasgow.In 2001 they toured with Machine Head and lit up the Barrowlands.6 months later they done the same job with Christian nu-metal act P.O.D at The Barrowlands and later in 2002 they joined up with Raging Speedhorn and came to the Garage.This time though,they had a different line up.After losing guitarist Marc Rizzo,Ill Nino recruited ex-Machine Head guitarist Ahrue Luster to fill in.Also they lost the "bongo guy" or the percussionist and he has been replaced by Danny Couto.New line up or not,Ill Nino still know how to put on a show.The set gladly featured the hit singles from their last album "God Save Us" and "What Comes Around".But before the set came to an end they also performed the fan favourite "Unreal" from "Revolution Revolucion" and the current single "How Can I Live" which was also the lead track from this years "Freddy Vs Jason" movie.To finish things off, Ill Nino introduced the next song as "thruth for everyone"....the song "Liar" exploded and had the pits opening up everywhere.By the end of the set,everyone was dying for more....up next....Spineshank!!! ILL NINO - (8/10)

Next, San Fransisco's Spineshank were tonights "headliners" although each band had an equal slot.Two big banners at each side of the stage symbolised the bands new album "Self-Destructive Pattern" and the bands new logo.So nothing fancy for them tonight. The band blasted onto stage and fired into the opener on 2000's "The Height Of Callousness" entitled "Asthmatic" which is about a persons need for independence! Johnny Santos was clearly full of energy and in full swing as he got very intimate with the crowd on many occasions coming down and singing into the crowd.All the popular hits from Spineshank were present of course.The new "Smothered" and the older "Synthetic" and "New Disease" were going down well with the fans.Some fans may not have been too impressed.A lot of people I spoke to were clearly here for Chimaira and the "extreme" metal-heads that they are,they werent interested at all in Ill Nino OR Spineshank so it was Spineshanks turn to prove them wrong and show they can be as metal as anyone! Plenty of new material was on display during the set,such songs as "Violent Moodswings",  "Slavery",  "Dead To Me" and "Beginning Of The End" got the crowd in a frenzy.Santos then insisted the crowd start a circle pit for the fastest song on the new album "Stillborn".The response from the crowd was immense! Present as ever before the set grew to a close was "(Can't Be) Fixed" which saw Santos climbing the amps to then grab onto the Garage balcony and hang over the crowd,while singing.This impressive stunt went down well with the crowd.Next he invited Chimaira's frontman Mark Hunter onstage to join in with the set closer..."The Height Of Callousness".This anthemic song was very similar to Chimaira's "Pure Hatred"...Santos (and Hunter) had the song belting out the chant "FUCK INTEGRITY...FUCK INTERGIRTY" and Hunter immensley made his presence felt during the song! Spineshank went offstage on a high,very impressive. SPINESHANK - (9/10)

Overall....ROADRUNNER ROADRAGE 2003 (10 OUT OF FUCKING 10).... ANYONE WHO MISSED THE GIG....Hang your head in shame...you missed one of the best!!!

SIKTH, Hondo Maclean and RPM - King Tuts Wah Wah Hut - 02/11/03

Once again,SikTh were in Glasgow for another showing of their musical talent.Tonight,unlike May's King Tuts show,they had brought along some great support....Hondo Maclean.Also tonight featured a local Glasgow support band called RPM.This was the first time I have ever came across this band and the outcome was VERY impressive.Impressive speedy drumming and devouring riffs from both guitarist showed they had talent.The bands vocal duo was the the out and out vocalist who done the extremely impressive growls and screams along with the bands bass player Craig who supplied more melodic singing and was also very impressive.One stand out song was "Nos" which impressed me very much.Ive got nothing much to say about RPM...except....they are amazing. I highly recommend if anyone has the chance to see them play....get there....its well worth it! And well done to whoever put them on the SikTh bill! RPM - (9/10)

Next up were SikThs chosen support for the tour..welsh metalcore outfit...Hondo Maclean.Overall,the bands live stage presence is great due to their vocalists humour and stage antics.A short set was cheery and a great display of their talent and thankfully featured the Scuzz TV favourite "Animated Antics" which was as always a crowd pleaser! All in all,not much to be said...impressive BUT could be better.But Hondo are still up and coming...Good luck to them. HONDO MACLEAN - (6/10)

Next up were tonight main eventers and the venue was surprisingly packed compared to last time where a little over 50 people showed up!To start things off "Hold My Finger" got the crowd going. And im bout 90% sure MOST of the crowd were relatively new fans to SikTh and hadnt given a rats arse about them until the album had come out.SikTh played all the favourites from their debut album "The Trees Are Dead and Dried Out,Wait For Something Wild" including "Skies Of Millennium Night",  "Pussyfoot",  "(If You Weren't So) Perfect" and "How May I Help You?" amongst others. Also on display tonigh was a cover. If anyone out there has purchased the new single for "Scent Of The Obscene" (which was also included in the set) you will notice a little track called "Wrathchild" which was originally performed by a little band from England called Iron Maiden.Tonight Sikths talent showed that they can drift back to the 80s,pick out a song and cover it to perfection! Towards the end of the set things were picking up more,the crowd were going crazy for Mikee and his pre-song rants. But up next was the impressive "Wait For Something Wild" which got the crowd anticipating the closing song which was obvious to everyone.As usual, sexually enlightened "Such The Fool" closed their impressive but somehow unusually odd and disappointing set.Somehow I enjoyed their set less this time,something a little predictable was present but overall...Sikth = very talented!! And to boost their confidence even more,they are now head support for Machine Heads UK Tour along with Breed 77! Catch them at the Barrowlands on Friday 5th December! SIKTH - (7/10)

MACHINE HEAD (With SikTh and Breed 77)

: Glasgow Barrowlands, Friday 5th December 2003 :

It's been two years since the last Machine Head tour,and holy shit it was worth the wait.Now back absent from the line up and featuring as the new Ill Nino guitarist, Ahrue Luster who is replaced by ex-Violence guitarist Phil Demmell in the new look Machine Head line up.Last time it was in fact Ill Nino that were the highly anticipated support band,this time round it is Breed 77 AND SikTh.

    First on stage were the Turkish influenced Breed 77.They hit the stage at around half past 7 and have vanished by well before 8.A short but all in all an impressive set from the up-and-comers.Impressive eastern effective riffs and a mixture of vocals and catchy songs get the crowd interested.The set finished with the televised "La Ultima Hora" which is out now on single (for the third time due to lack of sales).Breed 77's album is due out in February (according to the singer).But over all since Breed 77 are hardly known and just getting there,well done. BREED 77 (7/10)

    Next up,everybodies favourite noise makers...SIKTH.This is the first time SikTh have ever played at The Barrowlands and they seem very happy to be here.Even as the lights dim the crowd are tightly packed and ready for a shitload of noise.They kick off with fan favourite "Hold My Finger" as usual and get the crowd going mad fo them,literally.Sikth have a huge Glasgow fanbase due to the recent release of debut album "The Trees Are Dead and Dried Out...Wait For Something Wild" and this is shown tonight.Also included in the set were such songs as "Pussyfoot", "Suffice" and recent single "Scent Of The Obscene".Mikee's explosive and irregular voice is amazing as usual with his helping hand from "other" vocalist Justin is equally impressive!As usual the on-call riffage or Pin and Dan Wellar is present along with the pumelling of the drums and ass kicking of the bass drum by drummer Dan Foord!Still bassist James Leech shows little movement during the set but nonetheless impresses with his musical talent.Last time I saw Sikth was last month and as you can see by the review I was less impressed than usual but tonight,finishing the set with the awesome cover of Iron Maidens "Wrathchild", SikTh were MUCH better.A bigger venue,a better crowd not full of wee lassys screaming for Justins ass and a great sound system. SikTh - (9/10)

    The time is nearly 9 O'clock and the Barrowlands is packed! Dave McClain's drum kit including two massive bass drums are unveiled and everyone is excited!The light dim,the cheers fill the air and the slow into of "Imperium" gets the crowds excitement level up a few notches.The light come on and everyone exploded and pits open up everywhere as Robb Flynn yells "Here Me Now..." to kick the night off with a bang.The opening track from the new album "Through The Ashes Of Empires" is packed with infectious riffs and the double bass beat continually keeping the floor vibrating! Flynn announces that Machine Head are back and that this is the last night of the UK leg of the tour...what a fucking shame! The band blast into the intense "Take My Scars" and the fan favourite "The Blood,The Sweat,The Tears" before 1994's "None But My Own" where McClain shows that his feet are drum gods in their own right! Set regular "Ten Ton Hammer" is up next with the crowd going into a frenzy over the opening riff with pits all over the place and head nodding,mouths singing and feet banging all over the ballroom! Machine Head get a slight break during the quiet intro to new song "Left Unfinished".The crowning moment of that song was when 1000 people sang the lyric "Fuck You, You Cocksucker! Fuck You, You Whore!" directed at Flynn's real parents who abandoned him.This song is an amazing verbal attack at people who abandon their children.Back to 1994's "Burn My Eyes" album as Robb Flynn announces that Mr.Adam Duce on the bass guitar will start this one."Im Your God Now" slowly starts but as always kicks in and maintains that energy within the crowd.And so does the next song which was missing from recent set lists.From 2001's "Supercharger" the intense "Trephination" has the crowd chanting back at Flynn! To slow the pace down MH hit into "The Burning Red" but soon followed by another new song "In The Presence Of My Enemies" which again gets the energy up and the pits opening! To "finish" off the set, another song from 1994 "Blood For Blood" with its amazing addictive riffs and hard-hitting drums gets everyone begging for more.

        Time for an encore! As the band are offstage roadies bring on two acoustic guitars for Robb and Phil. Robb says this song is time for all the people who snuck their weed into the venue that this is the song just to stand back and smoke it! "Descend The Shades Of Night" gives everyone a well earned rest. Next is the crown jewels of the night..."DAVIDIAN"...Flynn invited Dan Weller (Sikth) on stage and hands him his guitar to play for this song.Dave McClain as always is immense on drums during this songs and we even see members of SikTh and Breed 77 hogging the microphone to scream "Let Freedom Ring with a shotgun BLAAAAST" at us! Next up Robb announces since its the last night of the tour were gonna play some covers (all though they play covers at every show),but nonetheless it goes down amazingly well! They fire into Sepultura's "Territory" and then Metallica's "Creeping Death" which was my highlight of the night! Also two shortened Iron Maiden covers are present before MACHINE HEAD say goodnight with the amazing "Block".This is not only time for the crowd to chant "FUCK IT ALL" at the top of their voices but also time for the BIGGEST fucking circle pit i have EVER seen!From side to side of the Barrowlands everyone was getting in the pit for this amazing set ender!To crown off an absolutely amazing unforgettable gig...I wish it had never ended! Everyone who was there,you know what im talking about! MACHINE HEAD (10 OUT OF FUCKING 10)

SET LIST:

IMPERIUM
TAKE MY SCARS
THE BLOOD,THE SWEAT,THE TEARS
NONE BUT MY OWN
TEN TON HAMMER
LEFT UNFINISHED
IM YOUR GOD NOW
TREPHINATION
THE BURNING RED
IN THE PRESENCE OF MY ENEMIES
BLOOD FOR BLOOD
-------------------------
DESCEND THE SHADES OF NIGHT
DAVIDIAN
TERRITORY
CREEPING DEATH
IRON MAIDEN COVERS
BLOCK (CIRCLE PIT!!!!!!!!)

ARCH ENEMY with AKERCOCKE - King Tuts - Tuesday 14th December 2003

Tonight is a night of simple face crushing METAL! First up are my personal favourites (or not) Akercocke. What I had heard from this English some what satanic quartet Akerocke before the night was all well below average and i'm surprise Arch Enemy didnt bring along someone with more talent on tour.
    Akercocke come onstage with satanic chants of Lucifer playing through the loud speakers as they gear up,only to stage the biggest Anti-Climax EVER! As the shitty chants end and they start playing,the freak of a guitarist fucks something up.This means unfortunately we have to stand and wait for them to "gear up" again but thank fuck we didnt have to hear all that Lucifer pish again!As they finally do get round to playing the set,it is full of your average snare and bass pummelling of the drums,horrible gorrilla-like vocals from Jason Mendonca and shit everything.The set continued to sound the same.4-6 songs all sounding exactly the same,not getting any better.Time to head to the bar... AKERCOCKE - 1/10 (the 1 purely for their attendance)
    To any Akercocke fans who enjoyed that set - sorry but they suck! Gorilla-core is never going to get into Top of the Pops! Moving on,as the gorilla's in suits left stage and after a nice well deserved trip to the bar it was time for the lovely Angela Gossow and Arch Enemy to re-vitalise the crowd after such a dull support band.The lights dim and guitarists Michael and Christophet Amott,the huge bassist Sharlee D'Angelo and drummer Daniel Erlandsson take to the stage and start up with the amazing "The First Deadly Sin" and eventually the song reaches its climax as Angela takes stage much to the cheer of the male fanbase (oh yes,she is that hot in person).Angela soon has the crowd in a frenzy as Arch Enemy show off their new album "Anthems Of Rebellion" and such tracks as "Silent Wars","Instinct" and the awesome "Dead Eyes See No Future".Also some older songs from 2002's "Wages Of Sin" like "Burning Angel", "Enemy Within" and "Heart of Darkness".Next up Angela annoucnes the next song as a song about METAL and how it is rising about the other genres in todays hopeless music industry.Also she announces that song can be seen on Scuzz Television with an amazing video to feast our eyes on,the song of course..."We Will Rise".This song is definitely the highlight of the night up until the final track of the night.Already the Amott brothers (Christopher in particular) have shown off their amazing ability on the guitar but the ending track "Ravenous" is just an even better chance to show that they both have great talent!This song starts up and the whole crowd goes absolutely nuts for this anthem!Arch Enemy are one of Scandanavia's fastest rising bands (and as a bonus have a hot vocalist),expect to see a lot more from Angela and co in 2004.ARCH ENEMY - 8/10

METALLICA with Godsmack

Earls Court, London - Saturday 20th December 2003

The time had come...twenty days into the twelth month of 2003,the day Metallica would play the biggest gig of the year (maybe).Tonight, 17,000 people would pack into Earls Court Arena to experience the God's of metal unleash their amazing live performance which has made them so exciting over the past 20 years!

As the place started to fill, US million selling Godsmack took to the stage to impress the fuck out of Londons Metal Militia! Kicking off with the hit single and title track off 2000's "Awake" album the crowd were already in the palm of Godsmacks hands.Other stand out songs from Godsmack were "I Stand Alone" and the recent hit "Straight Out Of Line" but quite obviously the highlight of the set was to be the drumming.What the crowd was next to witness was either a piece of musical genius or just fucking awesome.First of all,we would see the drum kit now Godsmacks sticksman Shannon Larkin (ex-Amen) start to turn 90 degrees and move towards the front of the stage....THEN....ANOTHER drum kit comes moving in from the side of the stage where vocalist Sully Erna would take seat.Sully would blast into a drum solo of his own and then the two highly talented drummers would jam together and impressed every single motherfucker in the building.This "solo" or "stunt" would go on for about 15 minutes before Sully's kit disappeared offstage (with him still on it drumming away) the band flew into a short but sweet cover of Aerosmith and Run DMC's classic "Walk This Way" and then capped their awesome set off with the amazing "Mistakes".Godsmack are definitely underestimated in the UK.Not once have they come out with a headlining tour of their own.Its about time the whole of the UK (Scotland especially) found out how fucking good Godsmack are.Watch out for them because,they will kick you ass supporting YOUR favourite band one day! GODSMACK - (8/10) FUCKING AWESOME!

It was almost half past 8 when the anthemic AC/DC song "Its a long way to get to the top" (which is Metallica's "were coming" song) played over the speakers before the lights dimmed and Ennio Morricone's "The Ecstasy Of Gold" got everyone screaming and ready for METALLICA.The opening acoustics of "Battery" is an amazing feeling,everyone knows whats coming as they see Lars Ulrich stand upon his kit with his usual fruit juice then James, Kirk and Robert storm onstage and fire into "Battery" in its fullest! Within seconds the 17,000 headbangers are screaming for more! Then fleeing through such classics as "The Four Horsemen" and "Welcome Home (Sanitarium)" we soon have James as usual introducing the band.Theres himself, Kirk, Lars and the big Indian...Robert Trujillo.Who storms into a kick ass bass solo then starts off "For Whom The Bell Tolls".Next up was that uneasy part of the set,a song from "St.Anger".Everyone still sings a long although they know somewhere,somehow,someone is laughing at them! The chosen "St.Angers" cuts for the set tonight were first "Frantic" and the unlikely "Dirty Window" which we saw Kirk throw in a random solo :-) Metallica, still living up to their title as the Gods of metal play such classics as "Sad But True","Master of Puppets" and pretend to finish off with "Fight Fire With Fire" but within minutes the four horsemen are back onstage and James announces three words..."Kill...'em....All" as they play "Seek and Destroy".Then its time for the instrument swap as Kirk takes place behind the drum kit and Lars takes on Kirks guitar and gives us a little bit of Deep Purple.The the lighters come out,yes next was "Nothing Else Matters" which was one of the set highlights.Then for the second time of the night Metallica said goodbye and closed with "Creeping Death" before coming back and hitting into the lifelong anthem "One" and then the live monster that is "Enter Sandman".After all that,an hour and a half of Metallica....there was more to come.The guys came back out to do one cover and one old old old song as usual.Tonight we got "Blitzkreig" and to cap off an amazing set..."Motorbreath".The band then posed at the end,threw out sticks and plectrums (i luckily got one!) and say goodbye.All before Lars (as he did at Leeds/Reading) announces when they will be back to kick our asses again!This time he announces the two summer dates for Glasgow Download and Donnington Download Festivals! This came as great news to me :-) Well to everyone who reads this, if you haven't seen Metallica yet you've fucking missed out but get your ass of the couch and away from Dirty Sanchez and out to Glasgow Green on June 2nd to see the four horsemen kick ass onstage! Cya there ;)

SET LIST:

Battery
The Four Horsemen
Ride The Lightning
Welcome Home (Sanitarium)
For Whom The Bell Tolls
Frantic
Sad But True
Dirty Window
Harvester Of Sorrow
Master Of Puppets
Fight Fire With Fire
------------------------
Seek And Destroy
Nothing Else Matters
Creeping Death
-----------------------
One
Enter Sandman
------------------------
Blitzkrieg
Motorbreath

METALLICA's rating....11 out of 10!!! OBVIOUSLY! :-P

BLEEDING THROUGH (in support of SICK OF IT ALL) - King Tuts - Thursday 5th Feb 2004

A short review of Orange County Hardcore sextet Bleeding Through.Bleeding Through have already made a name for themselves stateside with the release of new album "This Is Love This Is Murderous" and with a huge tour with As I Lay Dying and Soilwork on Chimaira's Pure Hatred tour.Tonight is the bands first time in Scotland and they seem to love it for some reason.Vocalist Brandan told me how beautiful he seems to think Glasgow is (speak for yourself,mate!).Moving on to the show,the line up completed with Brian and Scott on guitar,Derek on drums,Ryan on bass and the gorgeous Marta on Keyboards & Electronics,this is a night for BT to impress.Already with a small but gradually increasing fanbase Bleeding Through have the crowd in the palm of their hands as soon as new album opener "Love Lost In A Hail Of Gun Fire" explodes them into action.The band are extremely impressive onstage and only have 30 minutes max to impress!Next up,the short "Sweet Vampirous" then the song that the band have just shot a video for "On Wings Of Lead".This song proves that Bleeding Through already have a good fanbase as the crowd are singing every word!The rest of the set consisted of two old songs and finished off with the intense "Revenge I Seek".I didnt stick around for the rest of the gig but im sure all the Sick Of It All fans would have been impressed with what they had seen.Bleeding Through plan to be back in Scotland in the summer for a festival in Aberdeen along with SikTh and many many other bands.No Glasgow date has been announced yet but keep posted and if you havent heard Bleeding Through yet,get to it.They will blow you away! BLEEDING THROUGH - 8/10

CHIMAIRA (with STAMPIN' GROUND & EVERY TIME I DIE)
KING TUTS WAH WAH HUT,GLASGOW
TUESDAY 10th FEB 2004

A sold out King Tuts is always a an indication to a kick ass gig these days.And tonight it's the Gods of "The New Wave Of American Heavy Metal" CHIMAIRA who are here togive back to their fans what they didnt get to deliver during their 30 minute set at the 2003 Roadrunner Roadrage tou with Spineshank and Ill Nino back in October.
   This time Chimaira bring along fellow Roadrunner labelmates Every Time I Die (album "Hot Damn!" out in March).The venue is already packed as ETID take to the stage offering a mixture of heavy and melodic moments.Not much to be said about ETID except that they rock!Pretty much everything that comes along from Roadrunner these days is bound to kick your ass (except the likes of Nickelback).So keep your eyes or ears on Every Time I Die who should be back in the UK in the summer. EVERY TIME I DIE - 7/10
    Next up was Englands answer to Hatebreed...Stampin' Ground.This band have already wrapped up success on tours with the likes of Soulfly,The Haunted and Sepultura and have made a massive name for themselves.In support of a brand new album "A New Darkness Upon Us" and showing of a new bassist,Stampin' Ground are here to impress their Glasgow following once again.Ever present are the fan favourites "Pain Is Weakness" and new tracks such as "Dont Need A Reason To Hate","Killer Of Society" and "Behind The Light".Vocalist Adam Frankes-Sime as always just has to give the hand signal to split the crowd for the infamour Wall Of Death!! This stunt is crushing and amazing to take part in.A sea of madness soon fills the tiny floor of King Tuts as Stampin' Ground finish things off with the formidable "Officer Down".STAMPIN' GROUND - 8/10
    Finally 9 oclock came and it was time for CHIMAIRA to kick some ass.Opening with the intro from "Implements Of Destruction" and moving into the awesome "Power Trip" as Mark Hunter jumps onstage.Within seconds the crowd are going crazy and the pit has opened up right in the middle of this tiny venue.In support of their recently re-released album "The Impossibility Of Reason" the kings of "The New Wave Of American Heavy Metal" played numerous pounding tracks from the album like the awesome "Cleansation","Pictures In The Gold Room","The Dehumanizing Process" and fan favourite "Eyes Of A Criminal".Also being brought back from 2000 are a few songs from the bands debut album "Pass Out Of Existence", such tracks as "Dead Inside" and "Severed" had the crowd livid for more of this ass kicking band!Chimaira recently released a double disc version of their latest album and were kind enough to play one of the before hand unreleased tracks - "Indifferent To Suffering" which went down well.Also new to Chimaira fans was drummer Ricky Evensand,a replacement for the departed Andy Herrick who left the band not too long ago.Ricky would be familiar only to fans of Swedish metallers Soilwork as he has recorded with them in the past.Ricky gets his amazing chance to impress the crowd with what we think to be a standard normal kick ass drum solo but not only do we get your usual 5 minute solo but this astonishing show of talent goes on for at least 12 minutes! Well done Ricky Evensand you GOD :P Moving on,as the set drew close to the end there was still no sign of the crowd letting down.The band top things off with the incredible "Pure Hatred" which leaves everyones throats sore as hell the next morning.Chimaira are a revelation in modern metal.The NWOAHM is here and if it is to be in any comparison to the 80's New Wave Of British Heavy Metal then it has many strong years to come,long like Chimaira, Hatebreed, Killswitch Engage etc etc. CHIMAIRA - 9/10

-FROM AUTUMN TO ASHES (with BOYS NIGHT OUT & CRY FOR SILENCE)-
-King Tuts -
-Sunday 22nd Feb 2004-

This is From Autumn To Ashes' third visit to Glasgow and also crowning their third visit to King Tuts,previously supporting Finch in 2002 and The Starting Line in 2003.This time for their own headlining tour bringing along Boys Night Out and Cry For Silence.Im just going to touch a small note on these bands as they failed to impress at all.Cry For Silence ,an english emo-core kinda band were first up and like many many bands these day just sounded so god damn similar to so many other bands.Thankfully they only got about 30 minutes onstage and Boys Night Out were up next.BNO however were just as poor,a mixture of Good Charlotte and Finch-like vocals this pop punky band were impressing most of the crowd.Again,a short half hour set failed to impress me although im sure plenty of the crowd enjoyed this display of todays lamest music...POP PUNK!
   Moving on to the only decent thing of the night,the departure of the supports and the arrival of FATA! Blasting onstage with the recent hit "The After Dinner Payback" FATA are impressive.The mixture of vocalist Ben Perri and drummer/vocalist Franc Mark's vocals are sounding great live.Out on tour this time to promote their new release "The Fiction We Live" the band play a mixture of new and old songs.Such new songs as "Lilacs and Lolita" and "Milligram Smile" show the crowd that the new album is going to be just as good as the older "Too Bad You're Beautiful" from 2001."The Fiction We Live" has actually been released since November but somehow no-one over here seems to know that :S Some older tracks such as "The Royal Crown vs Blue Duchess", "Cherry Kiss" and "Take Her To The Music" show impress the crowd a lot.Towards the end of the set Ben thanks Boys Night Out and Cry For Silence and gets a huge applaud from the crowd for some silly reason.To end the night the band play to great songs from 2001 and a new song from 2003."Reflections" and "Eulogy For An Angel" go down well before the set ender "Alive Out Of Habit" caps off a great set.Expect to see FATA back in the summer and a new album next year.FROM AUTUMN TO ASHES - 7.5/10

AVENGED SEVENFOLD (with SEND MORE PARAMEDICS) - GLASGOW CATHOUSE - TUESDAY 24TH MARCH 2004

First up tonight are Send More Paramedics.A band I had heard little about before coming here tonight and I wish I could have kept it that way.SMP are just one of those bands you stand and watch and think "Hurry the fuck up!" as they slowly drag through their pathetic support slot.As the singer came onstage he,as you do,announced his band... although the guy is clearly very confused or just plain fucked up he went on to say "We are Send More Paramedics.Zombie-core from Leeds,West Yorkshire,USA".Well as soon as we noticed the face painted frontman,bassist and guitarist along with gimp attired drummer,we knew we were in for a show...a show of shite! Each song sounded the same with the hammering of the snare drum each split second,non-existant bass guitar and crazy guitars with those annoying screeching sounds that all zombies make,im sure.Anyways,finally SMP wrapped up their set and said goodbye.SEND MORE PARAMEDICS - No Rating!
     Finally after a long half hour wait,Avenged Sevenfold take to the tiny stage at the Cathouse.The lights go down,all of the band except vocalist "M.Shadows" appear onstage and fly into "Chapter Four" as Shadows jumps onstage.A7X start to impress the 300 strong mixture of hardcore/emo kids and "old" netalheads here for the beer with the chilling "Reminissions" and the fothcoming single and fan favourite "Unholy Confessions".Since this tour is in aid of the new album "Waking The Fallen" the set includes all the major songs from this amazing record including the stretched "I Won't See You Tonight" Part 1 and 2 and the ever present "Eternal Rest".After a polite shout out to the not so fan favourites Send More Paramedics A7X fire into one an older song,"Darkness Surrounding" which is one of the sets highlights.To end a somewhat impressive but relatively short set "Second Heartbeat" see's out the night.Avenged Sevenfold are one of the fast rising bands of the post-hardcore scene but seem to be unable to keep a set going as tonights crowd seemed a little bored by the end of the night.Nonetheless a very impressive way to kick off their tour! AVENGED SEVENFOLD - 7/10

COMING UP IN 2004

Reviews of:

BILLY TALENT

AMEN

FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND

DOWNLOAD SCOTLAND

WALLS OF JERICHO