Saturday 22.March 2003, Bedford Esquires.
TAMALAIN were the youngest band on the bill and after what I was thinking was a poor start, got better and better throughout.
Their first few songs seemed to have more words than actual tune to fit them in to and they could do with a bit more live experience to boost their evident potential.
After a few songs in, I started enjoying them more, it was something to do with demonstrating how well they can actually play – there were a few technical guitar pieces, showing they can defiantly play their instruments. The audience were a bit static but still good enough to listen to.
THE PRETTIES can boast having one of the most competent guitarists on the bill. I certainly appreciated his faultless guitar skills. They have a gorgeous singer ‘Geena’ who I know writes a lot of the songs as well.
This is another band that are ‘pretty’ good to listen to, but to be honest, just come over boring live. I came to realize this when I walked off thinking they had finished and the d.j. had started, then realised they were still going. There were a few other people I heard who thought the same. – A bit drawn out but skilful enough.
Bedford based band KAINE, too big for Danny’s Bar downstairs, have amassed an ever growing following, with their brutal heavy sound and causing one of the most sudden, spontaneous mosh pits, like someone had released the freeze frame.
Their new bassist fits in 100%, and they have thunderously clever drumming, this band has a great presence and should be pleased with their set. I thought that they showed enthusiasm in being able to show us what they can do. I noticed that their guitarist played at the other side of the stage from last time, which looked as though it bought him more luck than the last time they played. (heh heh wise move Stevie).
SPHERE, are no nonsense – everything you expect in a Rock/Metal band and more. They have everything a band of this type should have, and are another band with a great stage presence with the ability to get and keep a crowd going and are certainly a band that I would make the effort to come and see when they next play. I was also pleased that they have done so well in the competition so far.
Wow! This band are fucking amazing, after only seeing this band once before, you could blindfold me, put me in the room and within seconds of hearing the sound of their distinctive beat, I would know it is IMPACT, apart from the fantastic rhythm, the well played guitars and a lead singer who has more presence than Santa Claws, the most amazing thing about Impact, is the way he can generate a mosh pit, - with just a stirring finger movement, the floor turns in to a swirling mass of moshing dervishes…. An Impact mosh pit is quite a spectacle to behold – ‘let alone be in!’
They bring a large crowd with them which is always a welcome thing for promoters, some of their crowd hailing from the Peterborough + Stevenage area.
The band I think would appeal to metal & punk fans alike. They do however seem to lack any subtlety and have no melodic edge, which makes a lot of the songs sound alike, - although I was able to recognise some of their songs from last time. They have a heavy lead guitar generated sound causing me to falsely accuse them of not having a bassist last time, (although they lost him after the gig and failed to produce him as evidence, heh heh). Because of the stage performance I thought their front man might be a bit tough and scary, but having talked to him after, realised he’s an amiable, cool enough dude, capitalising in being able to keep the band and crowd rocking.
Impact go through to the Planet 2 Final on 12th April.
Review by Keith Pickering www.bedfordmetal.co.uk