The Bedford Athletic Rugby Club Wentworth drive, Putnoe Bedford. Friday 14th October 2005.
Never So True, Gain, Helminthian, Track Zero.
Heat 6
One of the good things about these Battle Of The Bands is the new bands that I haven't previously seen before that emerge and can easily demonstrate just how talented they are when it comes to performing; hardcore punk band from Northampton NEVER SO TRUE are just one of these bands and were able to put everything in to kicking off the evening with a lively start that soon got a crowd whipped up and supercharged. I wouldn't say that they were the most memorable band but impressed me with their playing abilities in having some melodic edges in with their well-played punk sound. I liked the way that they seemed to be enjoying playing their set on stage and showed themselves to be worthy contenders. - In fact I have just heard that they won their local battle of the bands in their own area the following day so well done to them.
Popular rock act in Bedfordshire GAIN have gone from strength to strength and now have a well-honed sound that you can instantly recognise as theirs. They all played so well, with some great though unvarying vocals that give the band a kind of individuality of its own. I thought it was really good that some quite intricate pieces of lead guitar work seemed to stand out in places. During their set though, You tend to get an idea of what the whole sound of the band is about after a while, without them pushing the boundaries any further.
They have been putting on some of their own acoustic and cover evenings during the summer which were quite entertaining and has given them experience to improve their stage presence which they certainly don't lack.
HELMINTHIAN -' A story of sex drugs and rock and roll' Well the drugs came first in the form of catching their lead singer asking at the bar for some hot water so they could make him a lemsip drink (bless him). We get a lot of nakedness at these gigs with moshers stripped down to the waste and as with Helminthian - the rock and roll was in no short supply either! They started so well with some beautifully melodic guitar work creating subtlety to the sound in with the pure metal sound of their style, which I thought had a heavily 'Machine Head' influenced edge. Their singer/guitarist had the crowd in the palm of his hand, looking the part with confidence. This is in fact his second band in the competition along with 'The Dilenquents' of which fans and band members had come to see this act as well. Further additions to the crowd were added by craftily getting some of the headlining bands fans out of the snug bar section by pretending the band they had come to support were on next - a few heads looked round the door like rabbits out of a burrow but disappeared back in Trinacie Sky style instead of seeing other bands on the bill.
With a flashing red reflective circle sported by the lead singer and belting out some effective singing had even the milder songs getting the crowd going. Their heavily zipped trousered guitarist put in a talent-laden effort also (I hope he finds the correct zip he is after when in the gents!).
I thought there was an almost gothic archaic sound from the next band TRACK ZERO , a band that I haven't yet come across, they had a fantastic overall sound and are an interesting 5 piece band, using a keyboard. I have to say I am not usually a big fan of keyboards in bands but will readily admit this guy was fantastic and will vote him man of the match with his totally un boring style of play, in which he jumped up and down and ran around while playing. The singer swapped with the keyboardist at one point, who climbed into the crowd, whilst the vocalist played the keyboard. Their engaging front man who is used to being on stage with other bands he has been in, ran round the stage and joined the crowd at one point, adding to the party atmosphere of the evening.
Some of the lighter parts sounded maroon 5ish at the beginning, but they got heavier through the set, they had parts that encompassed muse style piano playing, from there Grade 8 pianist who used some nice broken chord playing.
The bassist used some catchy slapping, which grooved well with the main riff and the guitarist pulled off some impressive solos and tapping. This is one band that I would happily buy a C.D. from if available as I would like to hear more of their stuff again.
Their material, especially some of the later songs were really good with some impressive guitar work, but still need perfecting in tightness.
I thought some bands fans seemed to go out for a while, to make up for this groups fans not seeing the other bands, but overall it was a great party style night and one of the busiest, especially as one of the evenings bands had turned up with a Coach load of fans. - A huge Thank You to everyone who came.
Review by Keith (with added bullets from Martin Lewis with Track Zero) www.bedfordmetal.co.uk