I hate traffic, I especially hate traffic on the M4, it doesn't matter what time of day it is what time of year or how early you leave, it always seems as if it's a race against town to get to where you want to go in the time it would take.
Leaving Cardiff with what we thought was enough time to get to The Gryphon for this show, it seems every issue that could happen did happen which meant that we weren't able to arrive in time to see the debut show from Bristol doomsters Zycie, this was extremely annoying as it was due to outside factors but I'm sure that I'll be able to catch them again sometime soon, and by all accounts they smashed it.
So into the heart of the Bristol Metal Quarter, the true bastion of heavy metal in the city, and on a day like it was on this Saturday, an absolute furnace inside Mr Ashby's front room but in the face of what Aunty Donna told us we went into the kiln for the riff slinging duo that was Wall (8).
Formed by Ryan and Elliot Cole, Wall is a side project for the brothers when they're not rocking out as part of tonight's headliners and what they do is get you in the good groove, with just guitar and drums they got the head nodding from the first moments as they cranked out tracks from their debut album which was rated highly in these pages.
Throwing in a Karma To Burn cover to show off their influences, their set at Bloodstock had been a massive triumph to many, but seeing them shaking the foundations of The Gryphon was a intimate but ear ringing experience.
With 30 minute change overs so we can all cool down, aided by the plentiful supply of refreshments on offer (seriously you have to try Lonkero), it was once more into the breech for this local lads of psychedelic/progressive/stoner Sergeant Thunderhoof (9) who shook up their set a little from previous gigs in order to work give many of the long term fans something a bit different.
Starting with the majestic Avon & Avalon Pt2 it was immediately clear that the addition of Josh Gallop on second guitar has been an absolute asset to the band as it means they sound fuller live, with always someone doubling up on rhythm duty with Jim Camp's heavy bass lines, Gallop and Mark Sayer make for a premier pairing giving Hoof their heaviest and most dynamic sound yet.
Even straight up rockers such as Devils Daughter just sound meatier, the drumming from Darren Ashman reverbing around the room with as Dan Flitcroft's vocals have a wooziness too them, melodic and towards the higher end it's part of the prog/psych influences for the band as he brings emotion and clever lyrics to tracks such as Stolen The Words and Afterburner, the latter a bit of deep cut which the band will be focusing on with up coming tours, those older tracks that are rarely played.
So I can't wait for that as I'm a late comer to the band however any and all conversation was cut short by the stoner metal racket that was beginning upstairs. The pride of the Oxford heavy scene as a band, promoters etc Ryan and Elliot returned to their positions of guitar and drums along with guitarist Chris White, bassist Matthew Bennett and singer Matthew Ryan to once again bring the loud to Bristol.
Named after the light speed battles of the First Gulf War, Desert Storm (9) always feel like they want to bomb you into submission with heavy stoner that brings in prog, sludge and a lot of Southern swagger too. Imagine Orange Goblin jamming with Down and you'll be on to a winner, as the fat riffs mix with gruff vocals as the band almost welcome you with antagonism. You feel part of their family but also like they want to rip your head off, it's exhilarating.
I love Desert Storm and with Orange Goblin calling it a day at the end of the year they have to be considered the natural successors, the set showcased this too taking the majority of songs from their last two albums; Death Rattle and Omens, there was time for a few deep cuts from them as well making sure that everyone inside the packed out, sold out Gryphon was satisfied.
Any chance to see Desert Storm or Sergeant Thunderhoof live shouldn't be missed, they're two of the flagbearers for UK riffs and in this intimate, scorching setting they showed that no matter the size of the stage the riffs are still gargantuan.
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