Bedford Alternative Music Presents: 'H' Fest featuring HeKz, Haze Of Judgement and Hatespire.

Bedford Esquires Lev 1 Thursday 29th April 2010.

Photos and Videos (c)Bedford Alternative Music 2010.

REVIEW TWO BY Keith.

Almost impossible to believe this was HATESPIREs first ever gig! Sounding so tight and practiced on the night, not even a car crash on the way and a damaged amp could stop them. They have a melodic other timely quality about them, like minstrels with electronic instruments, including a synth which was a keyboard instrument held like a guitar. They have two singers, one who hails from the much missed Ex Nihilo providing the strong but melodic vocals and bass, while the other adds the growls of fury to the main part of the vocal section and also half of the twin guitar attack, which along with the as you would imagine thunderous drumming to help fuel what is potentially a new and likable band who are a sound to be reckoned with.

From London and requested to be put on by HeKz who became new friends during their recent touring activities HAZE OF JUDGEMENT reminding me of Black Label Society, especially the vocals with their gruff blues edged tones. As with the previous band, there was a healthy band of moshers up front. I thought the band engaged with the crowd well, while the five stringed bass added some atmospherically dark tones along with the skilful guitar work forming a kind of groove metal sound with sleazy swings and dominating vocals. They kind of left me wishing they were a Bedford band so we could see more of them on the scene.
Their experimental sound includes the heaviness of thrash with a spooky edge of dark undertones that sounded great to get in to, which I thought sounded accessible while not coming over like a lot of bands around at the moment. An individual style and cool guys as well.

With a chosen aim and theme of playing venues they havent played before, the mighty HEKZ have been touring quite extensively all this year, from places down south like Southampton to ooop north including Stoke and Wakefield, taking in various London venues and even one place they will never go back to (God knows how it wins awards!). Tonight for H Fest (bands that begin with H). Lev 1 Dannys Bar Esquires was their home turf venue and also a first, as they have only played Lev 2 previously!

The intimate surroundings of the bar seemed a welcome change and certainly made for a great overall gig. Our glam infused headline entertainers tonight put As Rome Burns quite early in to their set, not I admit a song that has grabbed me in the same way as their other awesome songs even after quite a few listens, but with that out of the way, it was time for some amazing HeKz magic. Having recently played the Stars In Their Eyes gig coming as Deep Purple one of their tracks (Black Night) was to be honest brilliantly played, after being dedicated to the bar host Danny himself (a self confessed Purple fan). Even though its a well worn cover it is so well played it adds a welcome addition to the set.

With more tattoos than Lydia Their drummer was on top form, sweating away on some tracks and technically hitting precise rhythms on others.
With crowd interactions and sing alongs Im sure all in the room agreed this was an entertaining set! Short but tuneful bites like Flight Of The Harpies to Long epics like Dont Turn Back were renditioned, - long but by no means a chore to listen to, with more twists and turns than a cork screw riding a helter-skelter; ambient, beautiful, racy and epic rolled in to one song. One guitarist in Cyber trousers and the other, with little pointing movements to his guitar at times and wearing Zebra trousers working away like a Victorian child up a smoky chimney. Their set ended quite messily with an explosion of glitter cannons ending a tour dedicated to their latest Orfeo C.D. If entertaining talent was a crime HeKz would have long since been locked up!

REVIEW TWO BY Martin Stapleton.

2009 could very well have been described as anus horribilus for young metallers HeKz. A serious back operation that incapacitated drummer Kirk Brandham derailed the band's attempts to promote their EP 'Orfeo', which was recorded prior to Kirk's problems. Here in the intimate confines of Danny's Bar, they are back with us for what vocalist Matt describes as their first proper Esquires gig for nearly two years.

In their lifespan, which was firstly Bedford Metal and now Bedford Alternative Music, their leader Keith Pickering has promoted so many young bands. HeKz are without doubt one of their success stories. In their five year career they have grown and matured before our very eyes. With their setbacks behind them, 2010 is the year of 'Tourfeo'. As they assemble and set up, one's gaze is immediately drawn to the staggering sight of guitarist Al Beveridge's bright and lurid tight gold trousers! I instantly think that he has lost a bet with fellow axe-man Danny. Putting that aside, this is a band who, for me, continue to tick all the right boxes. With the brothers Young at the helm, which other rock 'n' roll band shares that distinction?!!!

Matt is, of course, the consummate frontman, describing in brief detail an intro story to most of their set. A case in point being 'As Darkness Falls', it tells of a bold journey on foot down Bromham Road, or perhaps not! When the Coliseum crumbles, we are talking 'As Rome Burns'. Continually blessed with hook heavy clarity, Matt leads his charges with a no nonsense raised fist. His versatile vocal range is amazing and demonstrated later on when he tries to encourage the crowd to scale the octaves. He is right when he sings 'I am the One', while Vic Reeves will be honoured to know that they covered 'Black Night'! The show ends in a rather messy way as Danny fires off a glitter bomb to keep the cleaner busy tomorrow morning!

Tonights H-fest is HeKz, HAZE OF JUDGEMENT, HATESPIRE and, most importantly I feel, Hair - lots of it! Local five piece Hatespire mix metal with electronica. One of the band has a Roland A-X synth strapped to his body. It's their first gig and they showed confidence. They certainly had the throng of youngsters jumping wildly around. This was also the case for London quartet Haze Of Judgement. Here at the request of HeKz, they possess a vocalist who barks and growls past the gates of hell and certainly beyond. Perhaps at times it was a touch overwrought. I did enjoy "Tomb". It's about The Mummy, a fact that drew a historical comment from a friend thus, Imhotep was the royal architect and not the Pharaoh.