Bloodstock Metal To The Masses Heat 1, Fuel Rock Club, Cardiff 15th February 2019
Phew! This was one intense evening. It was like watching four heavyweight boxers in a ring, slugging it out until the last one was just about standing. A gargantuan effort, blood, sweat and tears shed and all in the name of metal. The vibe in the venue was astonishing, the support each band received amazing and the overall turnout mirrored that of the final in 2018. If the bar can get much higher, I’ll be incredibly impressed. Signs were good early on as the bands sound checked and their supporters thronged in the bar area. Plenty of liquid refreshment helping ease the increasing heat that Fuel is renowned for. Once the doors opened, the crowd pushed through and it was time to see what Heat One had to offer.
Drawing the opening slot, Urfe (8) were always in the most difficult position. The new kids on the block in terms of experience and time together, the band set about delivering their penetrating doom metal and after a slightly shaky start settled comfortably. As the heaviness increased and the walls started to shake, a few things became clear. In front woman ‘Bekah Morganna Nevaine, the band have one hell of a voice. Her crystal-clear vocals a perfect foil for the crushing riffs and thundering drums. Forsaken stood out amongst their tracks, the Sabbath style and influence clear but not overwhelming. This is a band that knows what it likes and sticks to it. That is fabulous. In drummer Dafydd Jones the band have a diamond; his octopus like movement around the kit at times suggesting he had more than a pair of arms, whilst recent addition Jon Ayers, all floppy fringe and floral shirt looked like he had played with these guys for years. Increasing positive crowd reaction as the set continued, Urfe is a band that you really should keep an eye and ear on.
If you thought Blind Divide (9) had peaked in the final of 2018, then you were wrong. So wrong. Hitting their mark spot on time, the band roared into action with the acceleration of an F16 Tomcat, failed to observe the warning signs and continued to increase speed. With a couple of new tracks mixed into the set, this was a refreshed and confident Blind Divide, determined to push hard to recapture their sterling efforts last year. James Birkett continues to astonish, his snarling vocals inciting the first pits of the evening (although that might have been down to Cranial Separation’s Ray Packer!) whilst the movement on the small stage has increased across the band. With James Ponsford and Adam Duffield once again slicing the air with their vicious riffing, Declan McCabe and Anthony Ellis nailed down the engine room. Another band who feed of the energy of the crowd, Blind Divide’s energy increased as their set progressed. I’ve rarely seen the room at Fuel so engaged. A massive set from an outrageously impressive band.
With the metalcore of Blind Divide and the doom of Urfe, another change of style and pace arrived as Swansea outfit Sepulchre (8) took to the stage. Desperate to rage, Darren Evans and co hit the stage early and instantly ramped the heat in the room back up to inferno level as they blasted through their extreme thrash brand of metal. Supported by a vociferous bunch who hilariously waved spatulas throughout the set, (the band is affectionately known as Spatula – obviously their name has been too hard to pronounce for some!). If you’ve not seen Sepulchre before, you really need to sort it out. A real tour de force, the band smashed through several numbers at lightning speed. Evans stripped to the waist a real force up front, his guttural vocals knitting with the band’s all out thrash assault perfectly. Flanked by bassist James Nicholas and guitarist Dan Yeoman, there was plenty to watch whilst behind the kit, Aimee Coppola firmly nailed everything down. Although the crowd had thinned slightly, the energy levels had not and as the heads banged and bodies moved the set was suddenly all over. Another huge performance and the judges’ task had suddenly become even more difficult.
Drawing the final slot can be a bonus or a disaster, depending on the band and their confidence levels. For King Kraken (9), waiting for their turn didn’t impede them on iota. Kicking off with Freak, the band grabbed the proverbial bull by the horns and proceeded to lay waste to those still standing after the previous sets. Frontman Mark Donoghue commands your attention, his presence both intimidating and welcoming, and his regular forays into the front rows merely enhanced the show. The band are tight and cohesive, with their heavy blues-soaked metal changing style and pace. With the sound as impressive as I’ve ever heard it in Fuel, the soaring guitar work of Adam Healey cut through the air, ably supported by rhythm guitarist Pete Rose who also added some fine backing vocals, whilst Karl Meyers and Richard Mears ensured the whole show was rock solid. The band’s heavy groove is infectious, and apart from the faithful whose support rivalled that of every other band, there were many new fans gained, judging by the fact that no t-shirts were left after the show. As the band closed their 30 minutes in style, it was time for the votes to be cast and the judges to scratch their heads.
With a huge turnout, a frenzied session of voting quickly followed, whilst the judges conferred in their own mysterious and incomprehensible way. Winners of the heat were announced with Blind Divide taking top spot, King Kraken and Sepulchre gaining Wild Card entries and Urfe only just missing out on a spot. This heat was incredible, the quality and the passion magnificent and in another heat, any of these bands may have taken the win. Full kudos to all who came down to support, to the bands who gave everything, to Tim and Alyn for their organisation and to Fuel for once again hosting the event. We’ll see you next week for Heat 2.
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