SLAVE TO NATURE FAREWELL GIG.
Slave To Nature with Abadden, Speedshot and Side Of The Sky Acoustic.

Bedford Esquires Lev 2 Saturday 14th February 2009.

(Gig Photos)

All photos are (c)James Betts 2009.

REVIEW ONE - Keith.

Im sure no other promoter has had all the troubles of promoting a gig, as I had with this one.
Originally billed as the HeKz end of tour, band members birthday bash, extended set; with Side Of The Sky and Race Against Silence. Turning in to quite a different animal altogether.

A few years ago on the 15th of Feb, The Raw Club promoters at the time, put on one of their normal gigs and promoted it as a Valentines Gig, just because it happened to fall after Valentine (the patron saint of shopkeepers that sell bits of card) Day. I remember thinking at the time what a cop out, cheep bandwagon jumping ,gimmicky turn off, so I was most determined NOT to bill this as a Valentines gig. I certainly wasnt going to jump on that band wagon!

Press were informed and posters were designed (featuring a still from the film Night Of The Demon) - a tribute to the screaming demon of the headlining band. After they added more dates so it wasnt exactly an end of tour show HeKz then had to unfortunately pull out of all their gigs which was Im sure a sad announcement to have to make on their 3 Counties radio set and interview. We wish their drummer a speedy recovery.

Speedshot with one of the brothers from HeKz were added to the bill allowing them their first Lev 2 gig and quoted by a band member as their best gig yet. This moved all the bands up a place allowing Side Of The Sky a deserved headline slot, although forgetting to inform me before hand that they were having problems with their drummer also. Hard to believe they are managed, but a speedy recovery wished for their drummer also. A fractured hand for the guitarist of the usually reliable Race Against Silence forced them out of the line-up also (again speedy recovery to him). In Remission were on the bill for a short while before realizing a band member would be out of the country. All that was left to happen now was for the B.O.S. paper to advertise it as taking place at the Ath due to a mix up and not even the screaming demon birthday boy attending, surely things now could only look up?

SIDE OF THE SKY opened the new gig line up with a two member acoustic set. Knowing full well that they are totally competent and consummate musicians I was totally confident in their abilities to do justice to a good set and was certainly not proved wrong. Great shared singing and acoustic guitar work made this an infrequent chance to see a quality class, up and coming band on the local scene deliver a rare opportunity to see an acoustic version of their popular act and as predicted I was not disappointed.

SPEEDSHOT were up next, delivering a slab of pub brawl rock and their best show yet! Their guitarist is now turning in to a real show man on stage, including his witty banter with the audience. A real front man with a showman stage presence, more confidence than their previous shows and a shoulder raised tour round the venue whilst playing guitar included. Drummer issues for this band also, with their usual one away for this gig but being seamlessly replaced by one of Bedfords great musicians Robby Miller. I wouldnt say rock is totally to my taste but they do have some good catchy lively tunes and riffs nonetheless.

ABADDEN took the night to its heaviest point yet with really good vocals and meaty guitar riffs. They seem never more professional when vocal backing is added to their songs which works well and seems to lift the quality to a higher level. Its good to see the movement this band exudes on stage with even their bassist adding to the energy of the performance. The drummer also gives just whats needed with a thunderously struck backing that would be justly required for this thrash outfit. With all songs being good I dont think they have a particular one that stands out as either a personal favourite or a crowd pleasing classic which perhaps they are yet to write. High praise indeed though from Roy of Bedford band Wolflaw who complimented the band after their show.

No rest for Bellskie the drummer who I am dedicating the man of the match award for this gig to, drumming in two bands one after the other. Time was up for SLAVE TO NATURE for their farewell performance, who previously thought their last gig was an unmemorable gig in Essex. They now had a chance for a grand finale to go out with a special bang!
A popular and regular band to play for Bedford Metal / Bedford Alternative Music ,having starting their first gigs with several line up changes later, a few C.D.s and many a memorable gig including Battle Of The Bands, BedRock Festivals, and a Stars In Their Eyes covers nights in which they came as The Darkness It was now time to say goodbye. They had extra time for their set which seemed to go quickly by and included memorable classics including the very different S.O.S. demonstrating their versatility. It was really good to see the return of their first bassist for this last gig who for the last song went on drums while their drummer had a go on bass to end the final song.
After the gig, all previous band members in attendance rose to the stage for a final one off photo of them all together. A good souvenir of a great entertaining band that I have proudly enjoyed promoting and being friends with. To all the band members - Matt Turnbull, James Bell, Jim Norman, Dan Pool, (who were band members on the night) and past members Tom Norman, Dan Murtagh, Jonnii Guns, and Stevie Dewar. Thanks for all being a part of something special Slave To Nature.

REVIEW TWO - Martin Stapleton.

It may have been St Valentine's day, but for the luvved up metal youngsters who turned up for tonight's Bedford Alternative Music gig, it was tinged with a fair degree of sadness. The venue said goodbye to the young headbanging quartet SLAVE TO NATURE. Since they formed, back in August 2005, they have constantly been prime movers behind the Bedford Metal banner. Indeed, I recall them opening the inaugural Bed-Rock festival in June 2006. Although I have never been one of their biggest fans, their endeavour, commitment and a sheer sense of enjoyment has always been evident. On this, their final gig, it's "In the darkness" that fully encapsulates this spirit. Well done lads and good luck and wishes in your future projects.

By some way, Dunstable quartet ABADDEN are, without doubt, the meanest, heaviest and most aggressive band on show this evening. Punishingly cruel on my eardrums, and a vocalist whose sheer power is the driving force which just about holds together their ever changing pace and texture of their songs. "Into the dark", complete with it's satanic command of "oi, oi, oi", demonstrates that this is not a band that you can accuse of being slightly overwrought or painfully studious. It's passion with a capital P and hulk sized riffs to match. Charisma and a controlled swaggering confidence are deeply embedded in, what I feel is, their lyrical dystopian world. These huge metallic overtures are all delivered with such brutal bludgeoning effect.

Originally when this gig was being conceived, it was to be HeKz's end of tour finale. Unfortunately a serious injury to their drummer meant that the tour was cut short. However, you can't keep a 'young man' down, and so guitarist Danny appeared tonight with his side project called SPEEDSHOT. Teaming up with guitarist Burkey and Mich (on drums), who tonight was unavailable, but seamlessly replaced by the ever versatile Robbie Miller. Speedshot are self-described as a "Jack Daniels fuelled rock 'n' roll machine!", which judging by the opening "Bar brawl blues" is a fair assessment. Their instrumental tapestries of the following "Moonshine mama" are worth noting as, following a heavy bass intro, the song is further enhanced by an elongated jamming segment courtesy of the hirsute guitarists. "Let's have a singalong!" shouts Danny, although I felt that should apply more to the closing Speedshot anthem "Snakebite", which is as potent as the brew of the same name!

Also because of unavailability, youngsters SIDE OF THE SKY are reduced to an acoustic duo in which to open the show. They wax lyrical for a short set of which "How you remind me" is the most pleasingly succinct.