COUNTLESS SKIES,
with BEHIND BLUE EYES, VENDETTA and THE RADIO DECADE.
Holy Molys Lev 1 Esquires Bedford. Saturday 10th December 2016.
One of the most interesting and favourite of the acts to hail from Esquires Battle Of The Bands this year in my opinion THE RADIO DECADE opened with an enthused and energetic set. Difficult to pigeonhole sound wise and that’s not a bad thing adding a spice of variety at any gig. Various influences are on offer from heavy to punk via rock!
Looking every inch like a rock star with a floppy mess of Kirk Cobain style hair over his eyes their singer guitarist simply bursts with energy. I can never be sure if the vocals are trying to be punk by deliberately sounding off kilter or not quite trying to sound in tune, they are brash enough to fit the music though and bursts of fast and fantastic guitar playing escape, adding a wow factor to their sound. He can certainly play his instrument and at times reminding me of being in the style of legendary Tony Iommy himself (Black Sabbath).
This was their bassist’s last gig with the band as he has already left to form his own so wish him all the best with that, his moody bass lines tonight up scaling to the furiously fast and punchy drumming, their songs all make for interest holding entertainment ranging through various styles combining a sound in which none of their songs sound the same or a chore to listen to, making this threesome a zippy opener to the night.
Despite a last minute crisis making VENDETTA unsure whether they can play the gig, they did however turn up albeit late but experienced enough to skip a sound check and lend us a line check before play. All troubles seemed to be exorcised out after hurling themselves in to a no holds barred set. They were simply amazing and made the gig so special by being able to appear on this occasion on such top form, absolutely giving it their all and still able to converse with the audience, getting them to participate at will. I noticed other bands were saying how good they sound and enjoying their set as much as the rest of the audience, myself included.
Growling vocals coming over better than clean with Slipknot/Pantera fuelled vibes to their music that whip a live crowd to an appreciative level. Some of these songs are quite long and allow all members to shine with their contribution during play. So glad they were on the bill which would have been duller without them. They put their all in and it showed in delivering a most memorable performance.
Earlier this summer I went up to the O2 in the Capitol and one of the bands that impressed me on the bill was BEHIND BLUE EYES it was gratifying therefore to be able to draw them to Bedford as our special guests on the bill and yet again they did not disappoint. They go for a Hardcore metal sound and this London outfit have a rather classy Hardcore edge, adding slower melodic areas with their harsher tones and coming over as well practiced and professional in their approach.
Reminding me quite heavily of bands I used to go and see at Luton’s Hat Factory venue these would add a run for your money adding a touch of brilliance to any line up and I particularly liked the way their songs verged from steady build up to an epic, energetic state.
They seem quite a busy band at the moment with gigs both around their area and further afield. The whole unit is charged with energy, coming over as a complete ensemble live as opposed to some members taking a back seat and others taking all the limelight. Their tall lean singer weaves around cavorting round the stage vocalising epic clean and growled delivery. I wouldn’t say they are the most unique band around, but are able however to stand out above similar styled bands of their type and certainly make going to any live gigs they play worthwhile. My kind of stuff and from the crowd reaction evidently welcome Bedford visitors.
Winning Metal To The Masses, playing Bloodstock, prestigious gigs and festivals, a record deal, features and interviews in various magazines (good one in Zero Tolerance) COUNTLESS SKIES were headlining here tonight. In fact one of their earliest if not their first gig in the very room was where they played tonight with Bedford Alternative Music.
All consummate musicians still able to have a sense of fun while playing and here they are back for more. Epic sliding guitars and a twin vocal attack of both growled and fair to say almost operatic vocals hit you with devastating clarity, not hard to see why they are doing so well at the moment. There was a fine row of moshers lapping it up. Countless skies produce music that make Vikings raise tankards, swords and sawn off shot guns aloft… oh wait not ‘shot guns’ - sawn off guitars, as their guitarist sports an distinctive keyless instrument that looks hacked off at the top neck (just like a wife of King Henry VIII), sounds awesome though as played extremely well by this guitarist. They played several songs from E.P’s and some rousing crowd pleasing favourites. Great to have them back before they wind down to unleash themselves in to next year which for them is sure to be a good and busy one.
Review by keith. www.bedfordalternativemusic.co.uk