Event Reviews

.@louelladeville_ @planetmosh review of Absolva .@soundcontrolmcr .@babylonfireuk .@asylumcityzoo .@ChrisAppleton88 .@AbsolvaDanBate .@Rocksector What better way to end a fifteen date UK tour than by coming home! Local lads Chris Appleton and Martin McNee along with bandmate Dan Bate from Absolva did just that at Sound Control Manchester. With new album Anthems To …

When Northern Ireland metallians Conjuring Fate last year decided to call it a day, it was quite a shock for the scene in this part of the world as, after eight years together, the band’s ascendancy had appeared to on the upward slope.  However, the ‘break’ turned out to be …

Irishman Colm Gray had the honour of opening the main stage today.  The planned world false beard attempt was postponed till later in the day so there would be more people around as the mud meant turnout was low this early.  Playing to a small crowd he went down well.  …

True deceivers got things started on the main stage.  With a mix of guitar, fiddle and vocals they were a good start to the day, but I was more interested in heading over to one of the other stages. Over in Tornado Town, East Town Pirates were putting in a …

Tonight was No Sinner’s last UK date on their current tour.  Having played the Black Heart in Camden as their only UK date when they were last in Europe, tonight sees them at the larger Upstairs venue at the Garage. The night kicked off with two support acts – The …

This year saw Bearded Theory festival moving to a new home after being at Kedleston Hall for years, it’s moved to Catton Hall, between Burton on Trent and Lichfield, and familiar to some fans as the home of Bloodstock festival.  Sadly despite the previous weekend enjoying scorching hot sunshine, this …

First up were German band nulldB, playing their first ever UK show.  With one band member painted one half white and the other half black, he was certainly eye catching.  Musically this was metal with a real Rammstein influence, particularly with the guitar riffs.  It was very impressive stuff and …

.@louelladeville_ @planetmosh review of .@THELASTVEGAS and .@HeartbreakRmdy at .@snootyfoxlive Wakefield. Chicago Rock Band The Last Vegas have just completed an eight date tour of the UK starting in Southampton taking in various places from Workington to Edinburgh and finishing off at The Asylum in Chelmsford.  I managed to catch their …

The tea break. Ah, that most venerable of traditions, when one seeks refuge from the travails of the working day by relaxing with a nice cup of Darjeeling or Earl Grey and a chocolate biscuit (or, maybe, if you’re lucky a bacon butty) before launching back into the fray once …

@planetmosh reviews .@Estrella_Rocks and .@edenscurse. Caithness rockers Estrella have had a busy year so far, touring Europe with Robin Beck and House of Lords, so after all those gigs I was expecting them to be pretty tight on Monday night in Glasgow.  I wasn’t disappointed.  They were the opening act for Eden’s …

.@louelladeville_ .@planetmosh review of Day 2 .@noizelevelcriti .@RAPCAUK .@steroidfreakpsy .@fallenmafia .@EvaPlaysDead .@thesentonbombs .@SILVERJETROCK .@JDandtheFDCs .@TheIdolDead .@knockoutkaine After a superb first day I called in the 24/7 shop for some crisps, chocolate and a milkshake then after my midnight feast I went to bed looking forward to day 2. Unfortunately I …

New Device were first up.  The British band lost their guitarist just a few days earlier and did well to get a replacement rehearsed and able to play a gig in front of a large crowd.  New guitarist James Arter did well and if you weren’t familiar with the band …

After the success of last year’s Dames of Darkness festival, headlined by Delain, expectations were high for this year’s fest.  As with last year, the lineup was a mix of bands from mainland Europe plus some local bands, with Xandria and Stream of Passion being the top two acts.  As …

Over the past three decades or so, Darren Wharton has been a regular visitor to these shores, both as a member of Thin Lizzy – into whose ranks he was recruited, at the tender age of 17, by the late, great Phil Lynott, and with whom he remained until the …

.@louelladeville_ @planetmosh review .@noizelevelcriti .@RAPCAUK .@doomsdayoutlaw .@psychobabylon1 .@littlemammothuk .@SpillSixteen .@TeenageCasketCo .@exitstate .@TheGDEs .@SuicideTuesday  .@dirtboxdisco .@DeadAudioSaints .@HBHuk .@rockandpoleuk NLC/RAPCA Festival now in it’s fourth and final year (but see below), although the first and therefore the last time for me, took place at The Maze, Nottingham over the May Day Bank Holiday …

Saturday 10th May was the final of the Bloodstock Metal to the Masses Ireland competition. So, while most people were at home watching the Eurovision (Gobshites), Fibber Magees was packed with metal lovers, coming to show their support for all the bands vying for a spot on the Bloodstock stage. …

Having seen Dirt Box Disco a couple of times and having the pleasure of reviewing their latest album Bloonz there was no way I was going to miss the launch of the said album having rated it top marks with five (golden) stars! This was to be the second launch …

Doro’s current tour is billed as “30 years strong and proud”, but the real celebration of Doro’s 30th anniverary took place at the start of May in her home town of Dusseldorf.  For her 20th and 25th anniversary shows she did special gigs in Dusseldorf with special guests joining her, …

After seeing Epica perform their album launch gig in front of a couple of thousand fans in Tilburg, today saw a much more low-key performance for them – an acoustic set in a record store in front of no more than around 50 people. The band were all present with …

Tonight was to be a special show from Epica – the launch party for their new album, The Quantum Enigma.  As with their other album launch gigs and special shows, this saw fans travelling from all over the world. Support came from Finnish band, Insomnium, a band who have toured …