Saturday, 19 February 2022

A View From The Back Of The Room: Desert Storm, Suns Of Thunder & Made Of Teeth (Live Review By Matt Bladen)

Desert Storm, Suns Of Thunder and Made Of Teeth, Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff 17/02/22

Riffs. There you go, that's basically the only word you need to describe this trio of bands that descended upon Clwb Ifor Bach on the eve of Storm Eunice. With the collective presence keeping on eye on the weather, the other was firmly fixated on the bands that were ready to play. Unfortunately due to travel issues, openers Zinc Bukowski weren't able to play so with a 10pm finish on the horizon, those of us that were huddled in the downstairs room of Clwb readied ourselves for the evening.

Made Of Teeth (8) were the now defacto openers, having recently signed to APF records (the headliners too are on the label) the four piece noisemongers, selected the entire audience as their next arse to kick. Featuring all four members on vocals (well shouting) Made Of Teeth were probably the most aggressive band of the night imbuing their sludgy riffs with punk attitude, ripping through their songs with a furious energy that even incited some circle pits (of like 4 people but still impressive). Showing why they have been signed to APF, their nasty noise set the tone for the evening.

Next up were Swansea stoner/surf rockers Suns Of Thunder (8) who dialed down the intensity a bit but upped the groove with some woozy riffage and desert rock moments. It allowed the crowd to get into the right state of mind for the evening, a counterpoint to Made Of Teeth but without lacking any of that vital muscular heaviness, just delivered a little differently. Some of the elder statesmen of the Welsh stoner scene it was again an impressive display full of Sky Valley grooving, that got the heads banging in unison. You know Suns Of Thunder will deliver any time they play so it's always a joy to see.

Finally then was Oxford progressive stoner/groove metal masters Desert Storm (8), a band who are celebrating 15 years in the business kicking out the jams across the country with their Southern styled, sludgy metal that sits comfortably in Orange Goblin, Clutch, Corrosion Of Conformity and Alabama Thunderpussy mold. Preferring to crank out their louder tracks rather than their more ethereal offerings, with a mere 45 minutes to get it done, their storm was raging from the first moment. It was pumping, powerful and gained many well deserved cheers when they stopped. 

Taking their set from their 15 year history and 6 albums, this four piece of; Matthew Dennet (bass), Matt Ryan (vocals) along with brothers Ryan (guitar) and Elliot Cole (drums) rocked Clwb Ifor Bach on this Welsh date. Catch them if you can as you won't be disappointed!

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