VIRUS, METAL MESSIAH, JUGGERNORT, FERAL Live at the Unicorn 28.11.09 (Gig Review)

VIRUS
METAL MESSIAH
JUGGERNORT
FERAL

The Unicorn, Holloway 28.11.09

FERAL
Melodic and polished thrash that has now levelled out so that each performance remains at the same high standard.As ever it is the song 'Twisted Sinister Smile' that emerges as outstanding, the swearing during 'weapon X' still raises a (twisted) smile and the inclusion of lady gaga lyrics in 'Truth Is Lies' still gets confused looks from the audience.

JUGGERNORT
By definition a juggernort in english terms refers to examples of unstoppable, crushing forces, that definition also sums the band up perfectly.The wall of sound they create is breathtaking, just take the heaviest moments of Devildriver and Hatebreed and stand the fuck back!
Superb drumming backs the dual guitar attack and bass riffage with screaming/shouty vocals equalled out with some nice melodic backing from one of the guitarists.

METAL MESSIAH
One time heroes of the second uk thrash wave from years gone by, tonight making their London return after some 19 years.
They are good, in fact i would say they are better now, the fire and energy is still there but with added maturity that somehow gives it all a new lease of life.

VIRUS
Tonight i have to say was not the best i have seen from Virus, first of all the sound problems thanks to a pretty useless soundman, but mainly due to the audience themselves.For the first few songs the floor was packed, but as the moshpits broke out and started to get out of hand, one girl sent flying and just left on the floor, peoples drinks sent flying without so much as a "sorry", the audience started to leave, by the end of their set you could count maybe 9 people left!
Now that must have been demoralising for the band and it started to effect their performance as im sure they must have been wondering what the hell was going on.

It was a good set, personal highlight was the slightly chaotic, almost Motorhead like, rendition of an old song 'No Return', i think the low point of the set was 'Raped By Mutants', now i know what the song is about but the word rape is offensive, but within context its acceptable, however when a friend of the band came onstage in a mask and hoodie i think it sent out the wrong message.

STU
FERAL
JUGGERNORT

METAL MESSIAH

VIRUS