Newborn Nemesis, Alterica, Necrosadistic Goat Torture, and High On Kites.

Bedford Thirst Club Esquires. Saturday 11 December 2004.

First time at Esquires (due to picky tastes in metal), didn’t know what to expect, but hell, was I pleasantly surprised.
I was predominantly going to see Russian Pete’s NECROSADISTIC GOAT TORTURE [hell yeah], but was also informed by Keith that NEWBORN NEMESIS were also performing – a fantastic band and possibly the best Death/Thrash from Milton Keynes.
The evening kicked off with a hall full of Emo kids awaiting the new to the scene Emo band HIGH ON KITES. Although not my type of music, they had an amazing crowd reception and seemed to be a hit with the many fans they brought along. I cannot really fault them as I’m not familiar with the genre, however I think the singer/front man talked a bit too much… An impressive solo was unleashed from the guitarist at one point though, which sparked a huge cheer from the supporting crowd. It was apparent that they were a new band, but from what I saw that night, it looks as though they’re going to be pretty big within the genre in a short space of time.

Following this, the kids kind of filtered out, scuttling to the back of the venue, and the long-awaited NECROSADISTIC GOAT TORTURE took the stage. Russian Pete’s return to Bedford fuelled the crowd into an excited frenzy of metal insanity as they unleashed their first brutal onslaught of the evening, ‘Morbid Intentions’. If you have already heard Morbid Intentions from their new EP, you can only imagine just how brutal it was live, and prepared the crowd for the amazing performance to follow. Subsequent to the previously stated, NGT favourites included ‘Godlike’ and ‘Primal’, which illustrated their raw talent and ability to keep the crowd head banging/ moshing and such for their entire set. Fault? Their set was too damn short!!

Still buzzing from NECROSADISTIC GOAT TORTURE, most of the crowd stayed in the pit and prepared themselves for the somewhat calmer, highly respected Bedford favourites ALTERICA. A much the same set as previous gigs, ALTERICA didn’t fail to please the crowd. I noticed some professional photographer guy wearing a Metallica shirt there too, which clearly found an interest in them. To be honest, I think that ALTERICA should have played second, with NECROSADISTIC GOAT TORTURE taking their place third as it would have kind of had an increasing brutality to the overall set-up of bands. This is probably the only fault I can give them; they played well and received decent crowd reception.

Finally, the grand finale of the evening unleashed NEWBORN NEMESIS (formerly known as CERBERUS). In an uncompromising display of Death/Thrash metal, NEWBORN NEMESIS pretty much finished the crowd off. Putting on an emphatic show of ineffable extremity, and recently appearing on the December issue of ‘Terrorizer’ magazines CD [as well as NGT on the previous month], NEWBORN NEMESIS are clearly making their way up the ladder as one of England’s more well-known bands. They had no problem bringing in fans this evening, and when you eventually go and see them (highly recommended), you’ll understand why.
A brilliant finish to an awesome night as a virgin to Esquires, I left with my ears ringing and neck hurting. It was truly fantastic, and I recommend to everyone the bands that performed this evening.

(Reviewed by Mort from Skullka www.horned-asp.tk)

Review two:
Billed in the local Times & Citizen (Idiots) as high on goat – HIGH ON KITES, were High on bravery to open a death metal gig, but were good with the style that they are. Not to High on confidence but gained more as the gig went on and put a worthy effort into the performance. Some of their guitar work stood out as being really well played, O.K. they’re no Highon maiden but one of their main strengths is in being High on skills with the guitar work. I didn’t think there was anything special about their songs, but they did well with what they had. Friends of Alterica who bought them to the gig and were High on fans at the front. I’m sure a lot of the more closed minded death metal crowd didn’t appreciate the variation, but they were O.K. at what they do but so far removed from the rest of the bands. High on respect to these guys though for staying to the end to see the rest of the bands.

On stage goat action next with a sound meaner than a raid of Viking warriors NECROSADISTIC GOAT TORTURE with their rough growly vocals being a mainstay for a brutal death metal band, but with subtlety infused with some intricate but melodic fretwork from the lovely Christine on guitar. Rare for this genre at the venue and showed they could mop the floor with any of the usual poppunk we have here. The singer/guitarist had Bedford in his hands when speaking to the crowd between songs showing a commanding presence. Petr the fast and versatile bassist also took time out to have a callout to the old Bedford crowd from when he lived here.
They seemed to do anything on stage and make it sound good, with some preciseeve drumming flowing like a long ship to battle victory. I didn’t notice the salute song where they stop and salute in unison during parts of one of their songs that I had seen them do at their London gigs where they come from. – perhaps I missed it while in the mosh pit. I know these managed to draw a crowd that don’t usually come to the venue were encouraged by this style of music so hail to them, hail also to Mort from Skullka and the ol Bedford crew. (DISCLAIMER:- ‘No goats were injured during the performance of this gig!’). www.necrosadisticgoattorture.com

Old stalwarts to the venue and reviewed many times ALTERICA always bring a good-sized crowd. They have a confident frontman who delivers a sound death thrash vocal performance accompanied by some galloping Metallicaesque guitars, they have their own songs, their own style and even their own photographer at their gigs.
It’s strange but this is the second band Iv seen this week where one of their members was wearing a ‘Ghostbusters’ T-shirt.
An inspired choice of bands to appear on the night’s bill. www.alterica.com

NEWBORN NEMESIS – I’m tempted to just write ‘Bloody brilliant’ and leave it at that. 3 times I’ve seen them now. They are a band that I would make the effort to go and see at other venues that they play. Their singer/guitarist clad in Manowar T-shirt putting in a black wind fire and steel performance in with the other guitarist who always looks as if he is enjoying being up there so much, with an easy going approach to the extremely good guitar skills.
Tribute was paid to the recent tragedy and a Pantera cover was played out of respect. The full crowd were really up for this band and showed a good response to the headliners who have played with some quite large names and are becoming quite a class act and I’m sure will go far… Well certainly a lot further than the guitarist got after his stage dive after the gig. www.newbornnemesis.com



Keith www.bedfordmetal.tk