It's one of the first warm days of the year in Birmingham, and I'm not sure whether its the feel of spring in the air lifting my spirits, or the thought of going to see Zakk Wylde shredding his way through some Sabbath classics that's lifting my spirits.
Either way, I have time before the gig, so it seems appropriate to head to Black Sabbath Bridge for a selfie, and it was great to hang out with some like minded folks and chat about the upcoming Sabbath/Ozzy celebration gig in July.
A Mesopotamian Doom Metal Spectacle
I confess to not being familiar with Lowen (8) before now, but I had a listen before the gig. First thoughts were that they're not what I was expecting! Broadly speaking the genre is Prog/Doomy/Riffy Metal - with more than a twang of Middle Eastern vibe.
I confess to not being familiar with Lowen (8) before now, but I had a listen before the gig. First thoughts were that they're not what I was expecting! Broadly speaking the genre is Prog/Doomy/Riffy Metal - with more than a twang of Middle Eastern vibe.
Research tells me they're a two piece outfit comprising Nina Saeidi on vocals and Shem Lucas on guitar. They have great reviews from 2023's Uprising festival, so I'm curious...
Nina takes centre stage and launches into Ashurbanipal's Request - a cappella, and the whole room at Birmingham’s O2 Academy was transfixed.
Nina takes centre stage and launches into Ashurbanipal's Request - a cappella, and the whole room at Birmingham’s O2 Academy was transfixed.
The clarity and command in her voice (dipping in and out of English and Farsi), unaccompanied yet powerful, ensured that all eyes and ears were fixed front and center. It was a bold and striking introduction, setting the tone for what would be a captivating set.
As the band joined her, the sheer weight of their dense, doom-laden sound fills the space. The fusion of crushing riffs with Middle Eastern scales and melodies created a striking contrast, an enjoyable blend that transported the audience to another world.
As the band joined her, the sheer weight of their dense, doom-laden sound fills the space. The fusion of crushing riffs with Middle Eastern scales and melodies created a striking contrast, an enjoyable blend that transported the audience to another world.
The juxtaposition of the band’s textured instrumentation with the haunting vocals felt seamless - a subtlety compared to the sledgehammer of Zakk Wylde that was about to come.
Without a moment to breathe, Lowen charged into their second track, The Fortress Of Blood. The hypnotic effect of their sound kept the audience fixated, the air thick with anticipation. Nina Saeidi’s vocals cut cleanly through the wall of distortion created by Shem Lucas’ guitar work, while Cal Constantine’s drumming provided the relentless heartbeat. Each note carried both weight and atmosphere, the band wielding their sonic palette with precision.
As the set neared its conclusion, visual props helped to cement the audience’s focus on Saeidi, adding an extra layer of intensity to the performance. By the time the final song, Ghazal For The Embrace Of Fire, arrived, the crowd had been immersed in Lowen’s mesmerizing world. And then, too soon - it was over. A four song set that left the room hungry for more.
Without a moment to breathe, Lowen charged into their second track, The Fortress Of Blood. The hypnotic effect of their sound kept the audience fixated, the air thick with anticipation. Nina Saeidi’s vocals cut cleanly through the wall of distortion created by Shem Lucas’ guitar work, while Cal Constantine’s drumming provided the relentless heartbeat. Each note carried both weight and atmosphere, the band wielding their sonic palette with precision.
As the set neared its conclusion, visual props helped to cement the audience’s focus on Saeidi, adding an extra layer of intensity to the performance. By the time the final song, Ghazal For The Embrace Of Fire, arrived, the crowd had been immersed in Lowen’s mesmerizing world. And then, too soon - it was over. A four song set that left the room hungry for more.
Lowen’s recorded material is impressive and with a unique sound, but their live performance offers something far beyond what a studio album can capture. The weight, the atmosphere, the sheer presence of their sound - everything is amplified when seeing them live, creating an experience that lingers long after the last note fades.
For those yet to witness them live, this is a band that demands to be seen as much as heard.
Zakk has been a busy man of late, with a lot of fingers in a lot of pies. Between his preparation for July's hugely anticipated Sabbath / Ozzy gig (or 'The Boss', as he calls him), and filling Dimebag's massive shoes on the Pantera tour, he's somehow found time to shoehorn in a tour with his side project - Zakk Sabbath (9).
As the name implies, tonight Zakk celebrates and worships his Birmingham heroes - in their own town no less. As soon as this gig was announced I knew this was one to go to, and I'm confident they won't disappoint.
Zakk is one of the hardest working guys in rock - he clearly loves what he does and comes along the front row before the gig high fiving and fist bumping the fans... it's a classy move. Tonight he's sporting a purple kilt and trademark BLS - style battle jacket.
As the Superzar intro tape fades, they open proper with Supernaut and Snowblind. The sound is raw and heavy, with great groove.
Zakk is one of the hardest working guys in rock - he clearly loves what he does and comes along the front row before the gig high fiving and fist bumping the fans... it's a classy move. Tonight he's sporting a purple kilt and trademark BLS - style battle jacket.
As the Superzar intro tape fades, they open proper with Supernaut and Snowblind. The sound is raw and heavy, with great groove.
There are a million Sabbath tribute bands in the world, but this isn't one - with Zakk first playing with Ozzy in 1987, and also Blasko being Ozzy's longterm bassist, none are more qualified to play these hallowed riffs. The lineup is rounded out by ex-QOTSA drummer Joey Castillo.
Zakk loves taking centre stage, and rightly so. Always the showman, it's not long before we're treated to some signature guitar trickery, with him playing intricate solos and complex fingerwork.... with the guitar behind his head!
Zakk loves taking centre stage, and rightly so. Always the showman, it's not long before we're treated to some signature guitar trickery, with him playing intricate solos and complex fingerwork.... with the guitar behind his head!
It's a great visual spectacle, but it doesn't detract from the sound or groove, and the fans are lapping it up, myself included. He's making the photography very easy indeed.
The setlist tonight is comprised of most of the tracks from his recently released Sabbath cover album, 'Greatest Riffs', with some fan favourites thrown in. Zakk, Blasko and Joey's no nonsense approach means that everyone in the venue has received exactly what they came for tonight - a good dose of solid rock'n'roll. Zakk, you shall receive a warm welcome when you return in July.
The setlist tonight is comprised of most of the tracks from his recently released Sabbath cover album, 'Greatest Riffs', with some fan favourites thrown in. Zakk, Blasko and Joey's no nonsense approach means that everyone in the venue has received exactly what they came for tonight - a good dose of solid rock'n'roll. Zakk, you shall receive a warm welcome when you return in July.
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