CONQUEST OF STEEL, STUKA SQUADRON, THIRTEENTH SIGN & ANGER MANAGEMENT
THE STAR – SOUTH HARROW 26/09/09
South Harrow – Not an area you would associate with a metal gig, tonight was an interesting prospect. And as usual, when you have a show out of town, only the people local to the venue bother to turn up, there is still so much apathy in this music scene. But in any case, those who were there got a battering from Anger Management. I had previously seen these guys at Bloodstock a couple of years ago, now older, and wiser they are certainly bloody heavy. Their sound check gets rid of the chav’s from the pub (hooray!), but when they start, their intensity and often metalcore/melodic death metal leavings provide good entertainment. I can get a little bit of grind from their sound, even a bit of sludgy stoner, but the overall sound is very much of hatred, not really anger management! Their tunes batter South Harrow for all it’s worth, ok I did get a little bored towards the end of their set simply due to a dodgy sound mix with overpowering vocals, but I think the band gave a good account of themselves. Next time it would be good if they had something tangible recording-wise to purchase. Blowing the cobwebs away in the most appropriate way – nice one guys!
hmm, Thirteenth Sign, I saw these a year or so ago, maybe longer. I got the same experience tonight. Overpowering vocals, but they were playing some good metal riffs. However in the spirit of the evening overrunning their set was not really appreciated. The show itself was full of bravado and metal poses, especially from the singer (Dean Neal). Some members decided to remain stationary and give nothing back to the crowd, even their own personal fan club contingent and photographer that had turned up for the evening, just a shame they did not support the other bands that played as much. The bands COB vocals and melo death verging on power metal is pleasing in some respects, though it does get tedious. I think the point here is, good musically, but presentation needs a bit more life; Dean on vocals cannot do it all, no matter how much fun he is having. From the last time I saw them, I feel they have moved forward and are trying for that big In Flames sound, which is a hard one to grasp.
Here we go, real presentation, proper backdrops, stage costumes, and the vampire-istic war machine that is Stuka Squadron adorns the stage next, with the fake blood too. ‘We Drink Blood’ gets things moving, cool riffs, swords and stagecraft in abundance; this would look good on a massive stage. ‘Stuka Squadron’ a title track in itself is one of the outstanding ones on their recent self titled EP. Some people maybe won’t understand the bands image, but think about it logically, listen/read their lyrics, some misconceptions are answered immediately, don’t be fooled by all visual aspects of the band. James Begley’s (ex-Centurions Ghost) vocals are strong and powerful, unfortunately after all the other bands having vocals too loud in the mix, Stuka’s are sometimes lost in the mix! But, there was plenty of opportunity to sing along with the band to more than make up for it. James promptly goes to slit bassist Graham’s throat with a dagger, drinking the blood as he goes, and a story that’s played out to the music – very Alice Cooper! New tracks are aired (‘Tales of the Ost’) that appear to go down well, certainly with myself in any case. This is a band to watch out for in the future. (PM)
Due to the areas knuckle-draggers watching the football the gig had started a lot later than planned meaning Paul had to head to the hills before headliners Conquest of Steel. (PM – although I did see one song!) For once being local worked in my favour as I could watch them and make a short stagger home. Our Northern comrades had no doubt played some odd gigs and it was nice of them to revisit the area having once also played a pub down the road in Rayners Lane. Luckily they were not put off by the sparse audience and threw themselves right into things. Never have I seen so many patches on such a small stage. I am yet to hear new album ‘Storm Sword: Rise of the dread queen’ but for me Conquest have always triumphed live and they quickly set about letting us know that ‘Steel Is The Law’ and no doubt the whole law and nothing but the law. Singer Dan Durant had a job moving about on the stage without clashing heads with any of the rest of the band tightly packed into the small space but luckily managed to avoid any injury. Songs were fast and furious and included plenty of solidly forged classics unlike the singer’s wooden sword (perhaps he should have borrowed Stuka Squadron’s samurai one but he probably would have decapitated a band member). ‘I Am Legend’ had those of us drinking down here since late afternoon just about staying upright and the microphone was passed out meaning that even I, overwhelmed by the sheer metalness of the occasion, ended up having a shout. They told us that anyone not knowing the next song should fuck off but thankfully all the local chavs had bolted the second Anger Management started sound-checking, it was some song I sort of knew called ‘Holy Diver’ or something! After nailing that one it was time to ‘Taste the Metal’ and finally after destroying the pub the one I had particularly been waiting for ‘Only the Devil Can Stop Us Now.’ South Harrow has probably never witnessed so much metal and unfortunately apart from a few devoted warriors proved itself unworthy. Thanks to all the bands who played, we salute you. (PW)
Paul Maddison & Pete Woods
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