ROXVILLE,FERAL,HOLLOW LIMIT,MERCY HOUSE + Aftershow Set By MUTED Live At The Rock Attic 27.03.09 (Gig Review)

ROXVILLE

FERAL

HOLLOW LIMIT

MERCY HOUSE

Special Aftershow set MUTED

ROCK ATTIC 27.03.09

MERCY HOUSE

This is the new band from Drew, former vocalist from London band 'Everrest'.Mercy House are are a great rock group, its the kind of music you nod your head and tap yer feet, what we used to call in the old days AOR.Drew's vocal range is quite breathtaking bringing back fond memories of a young Axl Rose meets David Coverdale.

HOLLOW LIMIT

Well after a 30 minute interlude due to a blown fuse and mic's that refused to work for some reason the lads take to the stage and explode !This is high energy metal drawing on Iron Maiden and Killswitch Engage but retaining their own overall sound,the vocalist Dan was not content with the stage and spent much of the set walking through the audience (as did guitarist Mike).They got the audience right on their side virtually from the opening riff onwards.Later in the evening i spoke with the legendary Miss B.Von Rose who asked me why this band were not on the 'Give It A Name' tour blowing away the competition.I must confess that i am also at a loss as to understanding why they are not on the front cover of Kerrang, because they fucking should be!

FERAL

The band have over the last few months become the hottest ticket in London, they are absolutley brilliant.Its old school thrash mixed with rock and metal and all wrapped up with such talent and charisma that world domination should be expected with the next 12 months.With two vocalists/guitarists on top form backed by a rhythm section to die for they slay the audience and win over new fans.They have some great songs, one of which has a real motorhead bass driven vibe and they threw in an amazing drum and bass heavy version of the Doors 'Roadhouse Blues' and a great guitar solo to boot! They even got an encore and did their cover of Metallicas 'Harvester Of Sorrow'.

ROXVILLE

You simply cannot fault Roxville, they are slick and professional and really fucking good!A blend of classic rock and metal kicks off with the one that has the fists in the air chorus of "You had it coming" and from that point on its a party !Unfortunatley its a party i had to leave to catch the last train back to the west end, though i did manage to get a bit of headbanging action next to bassist Ash.

MUTED

Melodic thrash metal band Muted have for sometime now been regulars at the Attic and they always deliver !I spoke to a few people today who stayed into the small hours drinking and headbanging and said they played a great set of old songs but threw in a few new ones that got a great reaction as did their coice of cover versions.

STU

THE MERCY HOUSE


HOLLOW LIMIT







FERAL

ROXVILLE

MUTED

Muted pictures by Bronagh McCusker

VIRUS,ELIMINATION,AFFLUENZA,HAVOC SYSTEM Live At The Rock Attic 13.03.09 (Gig Review)

VIRUS

ELIMINATION

AFFLUENZA

HAVOC SYSTEM


ROCK ATTIC, 13.03.09


HAVOC SYSTEM

Armed with a new vocalist and a fresh approach Havoc System are a different beast from the band i saw last year, those black metal overtones that i detected are now long gone.Nice to see 5 guys on stage having fun and playing some very intense heavy metal with a hardcore edge, really powerfull vocals resonate through the attic whilst the bassist stalks the stage (and audience) like a man possessed !


AFFLUENZA

Over the last couple of months this band have risen to my personal top ten list of outstanding bands,they entertain with great songs and superb musicianship.Their brand of metal is served with rhythmic drumming and screaming vocals some sabbath like guitar work, very good basswork (no top string merchant here like some i could mention) and weird samples.


ELIMINATION

Ipswich's finest exponents of "Old School" British thrash metal bring the noise and a smoke machine with a single intention to get, and i quote vocalist Neil here, "Everybody Fucking Headbanging".This is quality thrash, none of this Slayer worship stuff like you get from bands such as Evile, oh no these guys have their own sound and it is winning them more and more fans all the time.A highly energetic set mixing old tunes with new ones from the fourthcoming debut album, i tell you they are going to blow the Underworld up when they play there with Forbidden soon.


VIRUS

Tonight Coke's men set alarms off throughout the building and got people running out of their bedrooms !Not only were they loud as fuck but they somehow managed to switch Eliminations smoke machine to overload and set off the fire alarms :)


The revitalised classics Prey For War, Seeing Is Believing etc are delivered with a level of professionalisim that has now set themselves a high standard in which to move forward and once again build a solid following throughout the Uk.We still only get one new song from the upcoming EP 'Raped By Mutants' called "Skulls Of My Enemies" and its an absolute killer !


It's about time the music press started to take notice of whats going on here and stop pandering to the "Pop" crap that they do (Im talking to KERRANG here) and where is Metal Hammer and Terrorizer ???You have a really talented Thrash Metal band on your doorstep and you havent noticed !?


STU



HAVOC SYSTEM

AFFLUENZA

ELIMINATION

VIRUS

VIRUS,INFESTATION,AFFLUENZA - ROCK ATTIC 20.12.08 (Gig Review)

Virus
Infestation
Affluenza

Rock Attic 20th December

Affluenza
Stepping in at the last moment to help rescue a bill that was falling apart thanks to some
genuine reasons from some bands and some crap ones from others, the London band formerly
know as 'Seasons Of Six' put on a good show.

Their opening was very gothic and atmospheric this was followed by 30 minutes of melodic
Death Metal played with true style and conviction.
At times the melodic side takes over so perhaps they should drop the death metal element all together and just be good old "Heavy Metal".

First rate female bassist Nicky fingers flew up and down the fretboard complimenting the
excellent guitarwork of Marcel.Vocalist Cletus screamed his lungs out but also managed to
sing as well,he also looks like Wayne Static's brother !

Infestation
Any band who use the cookie monster theme as their intro are going to get a double horns up
from me !
Words such as "Brutal" and "Crushing" are the best chosen when describing their aural assault of Death Metal.
One of the most technically proficient bands in the scene anywhere in the UK, they played to
a packed venue full of appreciative headbangers eager for more.

This was bassist Rob's last show with the band and it was one of their best, so a suitable
farewell with songs like 'Evil Evil' slaying everything in its path.

Virus
Gig number two for the reformed (no lets change that to remade) thrash legends, still
proving that they are better, faster and stronger and ready to take on the pretenders to
the throne of UK thrash.

Tonights show began with Coke pacing up and down during the intro shouting "Lets fucking do
this!", the whole band were pumped and ready.
Notch this one up as "Job Done", audience worn out and sweating, band playing perfectly (even
Sam's amp commiting suicide during one song, quickly replaced so the onslaught could
continue) and shouts for an encore which was duly delivered.

They need to expand their set and though this may be herecy to some,i would drop a couple
more new songs into the set and lose some older ones.
Word is more gigs are planned and a new EP by April, this Virus is dangerous and ready to
infect,question is now.."Are you ready ?"

STU

Affluenza

Infestation

Virus

VIRUS - Return Of Brtish Thrash Legends Gig Information

Remember Pray For War,Force Recon and Lunacy ?

Well now the legendary thrashers have returned with original member Coke Mcfinlay on guitar and vocals with new blood in the shape of Dave Sherwood (Ex Doreterna/Tiberium) on Drums, Bassist Matt and Sam Brandon (Matron) on rhythm guitar.

They have been working hard to put together an earblasting set, having already played one secret live set as a three piece as Sam was ill they are now gearing up for a very promising 2009.

So this month they are diving back into the live scene with two gigs at the Rock Attic and can also be heard interviewed on Total Rock Radio on wednesday 10 december.

TEARAWAY,CHAOSANCT,HAVOC SYSTEM,UPPERHAND,XENOCHORD - Rock Attic,Streatham 06.12.08 (Gig Review)

Tearaway
Chaosanct
Havoc System
Upperhand
Xenochord

Rock Attic 06.12.08

Xenochord
Hungarian Death Metal anyone??
Yes is the answer you are looking for, these guys draw on influences from Bjork to Meshuggah and create one helluva sound fronted by shouty/growling vocals.Definatley one band to watch out for.

Upperhand
Despite forming in 1999 this is the Belgium Death/Thrash metal bands first uk gig.Hammering their way through a set that song by song was getting more crowd attention they
managed to erupt the venue with a spirited cover of Sepultura's 'Territory', they left the stage to a massive round of applause, many a cheer and new fans.

Havoc System
Headbanging metal driven by solid bass and drum work, huge riffs and a vocalist who sounds
like he should be in a Norwegian Black Metal band.

Chaosanct
It must have been a little weird for the band taking to the stage in front of a packed Rock
Attic knowing that it was guitarist Andy's last show with them and also introducing new
songs into the set at the same time.

Tonights show was possible their best so far,the band are clearly tighter musically, bassist
Tilman has brought his sampler thing with him so that the soundbites used on the studio
recordings can be heard live as well (Good move), Matt seemed more relaxed behind the kit
whilst triggering at machine gun speed, James' guitarwork was outstanding and he seemed to
be having fun with his wah pedal !
Andys guitarwork was also exemplary and quickly recovered from a amp malfunction at one point.
Dave vocals are just getting better every time too his ability to range from Burton C Bell
to Dani Filth without drawing breath is a wonder to behold and i still maintain that he has
the best voice in metal in the uk that you will hear.

I must single out one new track "Oppenheimer" its a doomy goth tinged masterpiece very dark
and atmospheric adding yet another string to the complex bow that dares to call itself
Chaosanct.
Their triumphant set ended to shouts of "more" and James ripping the strings off
his guitar and cutting his fingers in the process, a fitting end to this current line
up, cant wait for their next move.

Tearaway
Once again i miss the headline act due to the wonderful british train system, i caught their
first song and it was good then had to go.

STU

Xenochord

Upperhand

Havoc System

Chaosanct