Event Reviews

The major rock and metal festivals and events …reviewed

Apocalyptica – O2 Academy, Bristol, 29/11/15

‘Oh the weather outside is frightful…’ Alright, so we might only be three days into December, but the opening line from ‘Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow’ is pretty damn apt this evening in Bristol. The wind and the rain has been disruptive for the whole day, …

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Doro – Garage, London – 22nd November 2015

First up were Archer – a metal band from Santa Cruz, California.  This three piece had plenty of enthusiasm but to be brutally honest I found them dull and mediocre with nothing at all to make them stand out from the sort of bands you can see playing gigs in …

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Clutch – Belfast, Limelight 1 – 21 November 2015

With many of their US counterparts cancelling, postponing or cutting short their European tours in the wake of the atrocities in Paris earlier this month and the subsequent security concerns across much of Europe – just hours before the doors opened this evening, Brussels went into a state of lock …

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Periphery – Koko – London – 19/11/15

It’s a freezing cold afternoon in November which reflects the darkness falling across the metal community currently with the horrific tragedy and loss, with recent events weighing heavily on our hearts.  I know a lot of us are still anxious about going to gigs and I applaud the venue staff …

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Paradise Lost – Nottingham Rock City – 13/112015

Friday the 13th of November is the date Paradise Lost chose to end their extensive European tour in Nottingham’s Rock City. Braving the fierce winds outside the venue a small queue of stalwart fans lined the side of the building chatting eagerly while seeking shelter where they could. Rock City …

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Crobot – Exchange, Bristol, 15/11/15

Given the horrendous events that unfolded in Paris on Friday night, you’d be forgiven for expecting that all gigs in the UK for a period of time would have smaller audiences, earlier finishing times and filled with a certain air of unease. However, in a true tip of the hat …

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Skindred – O2 Academy, Bristol, 12/11/15

Tonight is about respect. Not just for each other – which we’ll get to later – but also between band and punter. It’s well known to frontmen and women that if you can earn the respect of a crowd, they’ll be putty in your hands and do pretty much anything you …

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Tracer – The Plug, Sheffield – 14/11/15

Bands often get an affinity with certain places they tour, for Tracer that place seems to be Sheffield with a sold out gig at Plug. Before the scantily clad teenagers and twenty-somethings spilled drunkenly out of taxis into the venue and Tracer tore through the smoke that resembled a fireman’s …

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Epica – O2 Academy, Bristol, 11/11/15

The guys behind the sound desk at Bristol Academy deserve medals. Every venue is prone to issues with mixes at one point or another, but tonight it’s spot-on for every single band that plays which means there’s a buzz in the air not felt for a long time. We even …

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Hard Rock Hell IX – Highlights Review

This weekend, Wales played home to the heavily anticipated ninth cycle of Hard Rock Hell Festival, delivering yet another extraordinary event filled with die-hard fans, a copious level of booze, and over fifty bands from across the globe ready and willing to perform to thousands of rockers, all confined to …

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