<209>, Fell Silent, Blackout, Kaotika .

Lev 2 Esquires Bedford. 28th October 2005.

When promoter Paul Craven puts on a metal night, you know exactly what you are going to get. 100% loud and heavy, and tonight was no exception. With a great blend of two local acts and two bands from out of town, I was looking forward to this night immensely.

Making their second appearance here are KAOTIKA. This is the band that features renowned comic artist Simon Bisley. Metal is an old love of Simons and Kaotika is an ongoing affair for him and fellow band mates Bob Joy and Dave Maierhofer-Lambourne.
Kaotika are a surreal act - imagine Slipknot as the houseband in 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest'! Playing a hard and fast brand of 'Jazz-Metal', each song breaks off into totally different and diverse tangents. Deeply dark offerings 'Dressed in Blood' and 'Dungeon Gates' are delicious hors d'oeuvre!

It has been a great year for one of my favourite local bands BLACKOUT. Each gig has been well supported by their loyal band of fans who never fail to create a superb atmosphere. Every aspect of this band is very professional, even down to things like merchandise and their set tonight again sets the aural taste buds salivating. Opening with 'Inside the Man', the dedicated fans hoist their cigarette lighters into the air! Standout songs were 'Mortal' and 'Why', the latter featuring a gentle haunting melody before exploding into a bonecrunching wall of sound.

System of a Down influenced FELL SILENT put in a performance that completely hammered the mosh pit. Although their set suffered when compared to Blackout, it was still a totally relentless skull crunching performance!

<209> (great band, lousy name) are a four piece from South London comprising of Abi (vocals), Barnet (drums, and who earned his nickname because of his hair!), Amos (Bass), Metal (guitar - named because he loves metal!). They are heavily reminiscent of Skindred - metal with distinct reggae, rap and funk influences. Front man Abi is difficult to pin down (literally!) as he sings from every available vantage point, such as the stage railings and even from within the mosh pit. The whole venue vibrated with the rhythmic vibes of <209>, opening with 'Rubix' before turning up the heat with 'Gift'. They finish with the excellent 'Shen' and this is a band I hope we will see again in the future.