The Bedford Athletic Rugby Club Wentworth drive, Putnoe Bedford. Friday 27th October 2006.
Stillborn, Center Of Eruption, A Burning Decline, Attika.
Heat 8
After some punk and rock heats the metal heats were getting a bit missed and this heat promised to be a slice of pure metal - opening with STILLBORN who played some technically brilliant guitars while seemingly wondering around looking rather lost on stage, perhaps more used to performing where ever they practice rather than in front of people, although you have to allow for them being the first on; there wasn't much vocals to their songs which were quite instrumental and session like, - very heavy and technical just no performance.
The drumming was so tight with a rolling well-timed rhythm which complimented some of the best guitarists on the night.
Lamb Of God, Nile, SiKth, Necrophagist and Black Dahilia Murder forming just some of their influences these three 16 year olds certainly knew how to play. Deep dark riffs and sounding excellent but just needing to perform, squandering the opportunity to talk to their fans between songs wanting instead jut to play. The sort of band you would willingly want to own a C.D. of theirs knowing it would sound extremely good.
Already becoming one of my favourite new bands at the moment CENTER OF ERUPTION again all 16 and in to Pantera, Maiden, GnR, Avenge Sevenfold, Bodem, Trivium, Chillies etc. They have no lack of confidence with a look and sound of naked distortion. I thought visitors to the Ath. would really go on this band, but there seemed a lack of movement on the floor from the audience.
C.O.E. play metal that is so raw, it has an edge of punk and rougher than a grave robbers dog.
I thought their back-to-back face off movements from the guitarists and playing behind the back gave a good visual addition to this band who fully know how to perform. Quite a dirgey sound with some good riffs but unfortunately slurred vocals at times.
The second time on these heats that 'Slither' has been covered, this time played more heavy and in their own style. This was one of their first main gigs and I know they care a lot about their band. Their material will grow in time, allowing them to retain the best songs and filter out the weaker songs to allow this band to progress I predict quite well on the scene.
Formed in mid 04 and have supported acts at their home Pitz club Milton Keynes (one currently on Victory records). They have more rarer influences than the mainstream and with one member of 19 being the oldest on this rather young heat this evening with 16 being the more common age range making up A BURNING DECLINE who for me were one of the best acts of the night. They just sound so professional and total crowd entertainers, playing off stage on the dance floor on more than one occasion, they sounded great and put on a real show and have a proper singer/front man - not someone just filling in. The vocal quality was top notch and best of the night, added with some good guitars and their female drummer provided a good percussion of a gallop to the gig also.
16 again and influences from old school rock (Dragonforce, Metallica, Saxon etc.) ATTIKA with some new line-up change, provided some crunchy grungy vocals to their well honed sound, allowing the bassist to be as eccentric on stage as ever - not over the top but a good stagey performance, - I just love his well timed screams between vocal sections!
Some of the best drumming of the night added to the range of singing which was vocally dimensional and creating the biggest stir on the floor all evening. They have some great deep dark bassy sounds, with a track from their C.D. going down particularly well.
Nice to hear more of their own material this time and all of it really good! Only one cover this time - Metallica's 'Enter Sandman', (Done extremely well) and at the same time capturing the sound of Attika with the covers origional sound.
Well Done to Attika for getting through to the next round from this weeks Heat winners. Also well done Andy for winning the Air Guitar round which always prooves to be huge fun at the Beds Ath.
Keith www.bedfordmetal.co.uk