SHARD, BLACK TOP PHEONIX, FONY.
The Well Music Venue, Hightown - Luton. Thursday 29 July 2004.
Reviewer: Sean The Dark Evil One.

I admit that after hearing one of their studio songs, I wasn’t sure what to expect from SHARD- they had a good feel, but I felt something wasn’t quite there vocally at times. However after seeing them live, I have to say I was significantly impressed. Glam rock in style, but with gothic overtones at times as well as influences from a few other musical genres, they were all very good with their instruments. Main vocals were very good- they had power and an edge to them as well as a good range that could easily handle all that he sang. Backing vocals were also good, and provided a nice contrast in style. The backing vocals sounded almost childlike at times, which fit with the songs very well. One of the guitarists also took a turn at vocals on one song and this provided a good variation and it was a pity that he didn’t sing more, not that there was anything wrong with the lead vocalist, it just sounded good having a different style (more menacing) added into the mix as well, and despite the frontman’s facial posturing, this guitarist was the better at showmanship. Instrumental sections throughout were good quality and were quite haunting at times, which I liked. A bit too happy sounding at times for me, but that’s just personal preference. From the length of this review you can tell I really enjoyed this band, and one of the main reasons for this is that they are different. They are not just some generic punk/ indie by numbers band that the area seems flooded with at the moment. They had their own unique and distinctive sound, which is well worth seeing if you want something a bit less generic. Highly recommended if you like Glam or feel like something a bit different.

The next band I’m not quite sure who they were- I think they were BLACK TOP PHOENIX, but they may have been FONY. The confusion is down to me thinking they would play in the order advertised, but then being told that BTP and Fony had swapped places. If I’m wrong I apologise to both bands. This was a highly capable band, but I didn’t think they were anything spectacular. Sounded like punk, but with metal heaviness. Their lyrics were quite well written and the vocalist was good if you like punk, but to me they sounded like several other bands I’ve seen recently.
Instrument playing was competent, but they didn’t do anything to stand out and instrument parts were a little boring with not much going on. No real showmanship going- he just stood there and simply sand most of the time maybe with the occasional jumping. The band have talent, but I think they need to push themselves more, as I wouldn’t say this was a particularly inspiring set. Worth seeing if you like your punk heavy.

The headlining band I believe was FONY, but I could be wrong and could instead be BLACK TOP PHEONIX. These were a very good band. I was a bit unsure at first as the vocals sounded a bit punk/ nu-metal-esque, but they got better and heavier as they proceeded through their set. Overall he had a good voice, with decent power and range. Instrument playing was top notch throughout, although I felt the drumming was a bit basic. Good strong riffs and well-played solos raised them above the average for bands playing locally and it was refreshing to have vocals that weren’t trying to be Pantera-style growling all the time. Some showmanship, but not in any large quantity. Overall this is a band worth seeing if you like your music loud and powerful, with a fair amount of variation. Recommended.

Sean Jiranic www.bedfordmetal.tk