So it all comes down to this. After six heats, two semi-finals, covers of ‘You Suffer?’, drummers dabbing mid-set and busts of Theresa May being destroyed, there’s one more hurdle for the six bands affectionately dubbed ‘The Best in the South West’. Tonight it’s all about going harder than ever …
Read More »Interviews: Voluntas, Mutant-Thoughts, Panic Switch, Metal 2 the Masses Bristol
Eight became eleven at the end of April when Voluntas, Mutant-Thoughts and Panic Switch became the latest additions to the Metal 2 the Masses Bristol semi-finals. I was able to chat with all three bands afterwards and find out a little more about them… Voluntas This is your first time …
Read More »Metal 2 the Masses Bristol: Heats 5 and 6, 23/04/17
Awakening Hyperia. Ylem Darkul. MYST. Auraelis. Embodiment. Kikamora. Franklin Mint. Black Wasp. Above are the names of the eight bands who have successfully made the semi-finals of Bristol’s Metal 2 the Masses, the eventual winner going on to appear at Bloodstock Open Air Festival in August. Tonight sees the heats …
Read More »Metal 2 the Masses Bristol: Heat 4, 12/04/17 and Interviews!
On this day over 2000 years ago, the man credited with being the Son of God was in Jerusalem in the build-up to the events which are generally associated with Easter. But before the four day weekend arrives, there’s the small matter of Heat Four of Metal 2 the Masses: three …
Read More »Devin Townsend Project – Colston Hall, Bristol, 12/03/17
It’s a shame more gigs don’t pass through the Colston Hall in Bristol. At present the city’s biggest indoor venue, its large main room and excellent acoustics make it far superior to the O2 Academy down the road, yet the glutton of comedians and other performance art events that come …
Read More »Interviews: Auraelis and Myst, Metal 2 the Masses Bristol
Last week, the second heat of Bristol’s Metal 2 the Masses took place with another two spots in the semi-finals up for grabs. Have a read of the show here and then proceed below to find out a little bit more on Auraelis and Myst, the winners of the night in question. Auraelis For people …
Read More »Metal 2 the Masses Bristol: Heat 2, 23/02/17
With Storm Doris battering the country and Leicester City sacking title-winning manager Claudio Ranieri, you’d be forgiven for thinking that the UK was descending into madness. Luckily, there’s none of that in Bristol tonight – or at least, not at the Exchange. Instead, it’s time for the second heat of …
Read More »Metal 2 the Masses Bristol: Heat 1, 09/02/2017
Just as the Royal Rumble kickstarts the road to Wrestlemania, so Metal 2 the Masses begins the journey to Bloodstock. A microscopic Eurovision Song Contest of sorts, the competition to perform on the New Blood Stage at Bloodstock Open Air has given exposure to some of the country’s hottest underground …
Read More »Evil Scarecrow – Thekla, Bristol, 04/02/17
It doesn’t matter how many times you attend, there’s something special about watching a gig in the belly of a boat. Bristol’s Thekla is one of the city’s most renowned venues and anticipation is high; it’s the last night of the headliner’s tour and sold out to boot. As the …
Read More »Meshuggah – O2 Academy, Bristol, 12/01/2017
Colder than a polar bear’s backside, the threat of snow overnight and more than a little bit damp – it can only be UK gigs in January. It’s the first concert of the year for Bristol’s O2 Academy, the first date of the headliner’s UK tour and whilst it’s not …
Read More »The Birthday Massacre – The Fleece, Bristol, 03/10/16
The nights are drawing in, the temperature is dropping and somewhere in an animated world a gothic city is preparing to sing ‘This is Halloween’ all over again. Curiously, this is the first show at the Fleece in a good number of months where the audience are queuing round the …
Read More »Feed the Rhino – Exchange, Bristol, 20/09/2016
Sometimes it can’t be helped – bands just have an off day. If someone tells you they’ve never played a bad show in their life then they’re lying on a level akin to politicians. At times the performance is sloppy and disjointed, at others it boils down to outside influences like a …
Read More »Toseland UK Tour with Guests illustr8ors (formerly BlackWolf)
ACCLAIMED BRITISH ROCKERS SHED SKIN…INTRODUCING iLLUSTR8ORS Following their swagger oozing live debut at Ramblin’ Man Festival 2016, illustr8ors has been confirmed as guests on Toseland’s UK tour this autumn. The former World Superbikes Champion’s band has just completed a European tour with Deep Purple. Formally classic rock award nominees BlackWolf, …
Read More »The Black Dahlia Murder – The Fleece, Bristol, 16th January 2016
Tonight’s gig might as well be at the Freeze as opposed to the Fleece – the cold snap is finally upon us and biting savagely. Critics might say this is the reason why Venom Prison (8) attract a a sizeable portion of the crowd tonight as punters hop inside to get warm, …
Read More »IDestroy Reveal Debut Single & EP ‘Vanity Loves Me’
All Girl Bristol Three-Piece IDestroy Reveal Debut Single & EP ‘Vanity Loves Me’ Blasting straight into 2016 comes Bristol three-piece IDestroy, mixing teenage rock’n’roll rebellion with riot grrrl sensibilities, bubblegum pop melodies and a whole heap of sneering, yet charming attitude. Their debut EP, ‘Vanity Loves Me’, is released on …
Read More »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, …
Read More »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 …
Read More »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 …
Read More »Delain – Marble Factory, Bristol, 22/10/15
It doesn’t matter how many times you attend, the Marble Factory in Bristol is a very odd venue, even more so when people don’t usually start turning up for a gig until about fifteen minutes before doors open – and that’s taking into account them opening late as well. Nevertheless, …
Read More »Goose the Nun raise two fingers at “Overproduced Rock” with new E.P. Skeletons
Bristol band Goose the Nun raise two fingers at “Overproduced Rock” with new E.P. Skeletons Bristol based Alternative Rock band Goose the Nun will release their highly personal début E.P. Skeletons on 29th September 2015 for digital download and streaming. Drawing on diverse punk, rock, and metal influences, Goose the Nun …
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