After a short break reviewing gigs we’re back on it today with a trip to nearby Coventry for Hella Rock, a one day/one stage event held in the heart of the city at the HMV Empire.
Before we get into the music I just want to give a mention to the venue as it’s a new venue for us and as is the case these days we’re always conscious of what the accessibility is going to be like. Well, we had nothing to worry about on that front as access for those with mobility issues is excellent with chair lifts, elevators and extremely helpful staff. There is no dedicated platform inside the venue but they do cordon off a segregated area. So good work from the folks at HMV Empire!
Onto the bands then and we had eight to look forward to with the first being Black Country rock outfit Mystiek (8). Their blend of classic rock riff with a grungy slant is played with vigour. The rhythm section drives the power behind their songs leaving lead guitarist, Will, to indulge in a display of mesmerising licks and solos and it’s all brought together with the vocal veracity of frontman Josh, a great way to kick off.
Next up was the first of a number of new bands to us, Eddie And The Wolves (9). This bunch were a fine discovery today, a mix of bluesy garage rock with a modern alt-rock twist. They have a rawness that is emphasised by vocalist Char who pounds away on a floor tom, often with a wild and leary look in her eyes. Meanwhile frontman Eddie is a powerhouse on vocals and guitar. Eddie and the Wolves are blues inspired but they have carved out their own unique brand of blues which makes you sit up and take notice.
Today was looking like it was going to be a day for discovering new bands who have their own uniqueness, as we were about to find out with the next band The Outlaw Orchestra (9). A three piece from the deep south (of England!), they enthral us with a set of electrifying country rock. Right from the onset you find your feet stomping along to the jangly tones of the cigar box guitars. The vocals are raw, but infectious and as well as the quirky box guitars the pull out, banjos, slide and steel guitars and keep the pace high. The drums create a pulsating rhythm that is hard not to clap along with, it’s all great fun and it’s a right barn storming hoe down!
The great thing about these sorts of all day events is the sheer diversity of bands that are all clumped under the “classic rock” umbrella and next band up Apriori (9) couldn’t be more different to the last band. A guitarist (Tony), a keyboard player (Mark) and a drummer (Mouse) are the component parts to this Lancashire trio that weave a complex sound that has a darker intensity to anything else we’ve had today. The songs are multi-layered, ebbing and flowing. One moment hard and rocking, the next melodic and emotive. They remind me a little of Velvet Revolver.
Flipping back to a more classic blues inspired sound are the next band Electric Black (9). Hailing from the sleepy suburban Home County of Hertfordshire, this bunch flip the middle finger to middle England stereotyping and create a riotous wall of sound that see the packed room banging their heads to. This is pure hard rock and Electric Black take it up a notch with their energy and deliverance. Now, if you are going to work your socks off, have countless sleepless nights and days full of stress by putting on a rock event, and you also just happen to be in a rock band yourself, well, no one is going to begrudge you the chance to stick your own band in the line-up!
So it is that festival director James Pilling brings his own band Tattoo Molly (9) to the stage. The home town rockers are back for a second year to take the Paul Di’Anno stage by storm. With singer Tim and bassist Rob playing only their second gig with the band, it must have been a nerve racking wait to get up there and having took the roof off the Empire last year, could they emulate that this year? They certainly could, and more! The partisan crowd were treated to a powerful and energetic set of soulful, bluesy rock ‘n’ roll with the newbies looking anything but. Tattoo Molly aren’t just a vanity project stuck in to make up the numbers, they are the real deal and receive a rapturous approval.
There aren’t many bands that could follow on from that, but as luck would have it, we had one of the best live bands around at the moment to be next up and they eagerly took up the challenge, it was, of course, Fury (10). The Worcester based rock outfit continue to gain a reputation for their high octane live shows that are fast, powerful and fantastic fun. The band have honed their stage craft over years of almost constant gigging in between writing and recording.
And it’s with the imminent release of their latest album Interceptor (AVAILABLE EVERYWHERE NOW - Ed) that sees the band really take it up another level. The chemistry and interaction on stage, particularly between Nyah and Julian, is a joy to watch. Bass assassin extraordinaire Becky Baldwin is like a swirling Dervish, that Rickenbacker being wielded like a deadly sabre. Tom on drums keeps the pedal to the metal and drives the onslaught of rock and metal anthems.
The new songs see Nyah coming more to the fore, giving some of the songs a powerful soul element that counter balances Julian's more traditional heavy metal delivery. This was a quick, rapid fire set, a teaser for the upcoming album and tour, but what a teaser it was, set of the day for me.
Finally to close out what’s been a superb day is the dynamic duo from Macclesfield, The Virginmarys (10). Again, emphasising the diversity of the line-up, the Virginmarys have carved out their own niche on the Brit-Rock scene, a style of rock that is full of anger, angst, emotion and vitriol.
Danny on drums must get through hundreds of sticks and dozens of skins as he pounds away like a smith at his anvil with superhuman strength and stamina, forging a booming backdrop to the ferocious guitar riffs of his compadre Ally who wears his heart on his sleeve and all those emotions are fed through his playing as he thrashes out distorted riffs that echo his angst driven vocals.
After years of working the circuit, developing and evolving their sound, this two piece combo seems to have found the sweet spot and they finally seem to be getting some well deserved recognition.
A powerfully climatic end to what's been a very enjoyable day. Massive well done to James and his crew. Put down Sept 5th 2026 in your diary for Hella Rock III!
The new songs see Nyah coming more to the fore, giving some of the songs a powerful soul element that counter balances Julian's more traditional heavy metal delivery. This was a quick, rapid fire set, a teaser for the upcoming album and tour, but what a teaser it was, set of the day for me.
Finally to close out what’s been a superb day is the dynamic duo from Macclesfield, The Virginmarys (10). Again, emphasising the diversity of the line-up, the Virginmarys have carved out their own niche on the Brit-Rock scene, a style of rock that is full of anger, angst, emotion and vitriol.
Danny on drums must get through hundreds of sticks and dozens of skins as he pounds away like a smith at his anvil with superhuman strength and stamina, forging a booming backdrop to the ferocious guitar riffs of his compadre Ally who wears his heart on his sleeve and all those emotions are fed through his playing as he thrashes out distorted riffs that echo his angst driven vocals.
After years of working the circuit, developing and evolving their sound, this two piece combo seems to have found the sweet spot and they finally seem to be getting some well deserved recognition.
A powerfully climatic end to what's been a very enjoyable day. Massive well done to James and his crew. Put down Sept 5th 2026 in your diary for Hella Rock III!
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