And here we go again as we head to the Academy to catch Orphaned Land as they hit town with some seriously stacked support. Badged as the Motorcultor Festival European Tour and it’s a fairly rapid trek that started in Eindhoven and wraps up in Lille later this month.
With only London and Manchester dates, I’m sorry to say that if you missed them then you missed out. I mean REALLY missed out. This is an amazingly well curated collection of bands that takes in thrash, prog and all points in between.
With doors opening at 6, there are 5 acts to be squeezed in by the time curfew kicks in. Typically, a combination of weather, traffic and football mean that openers Royal Rage (7) kick off at 6.15 and have to hit the ground running to make the most of their set time. Those who have managed to get here are treated to a set of blinding thrash metal.
It's a shame that not more people are here to see them light the place up because you simply cannot argue with down picking and Jackson guitars. One of the things that a tightly controlled stage time means is that they have to tear through their set in a quick order, with little chance to introduce their music. Luckily, they just happen to be a solid bunch and gave me their set list for tonight.
With doors opening at 6, there are 5 acts to be squeezed in by the time curfew kicks in. Typically, a combination of weather, traffic and football mean that openers Royal Rage (7) kick off at 6.15 and have to hit the ground running to make the most of their set time. Those who have managed to get here are treated to a set of blinding thrash metal.
It's a shame that not more people are here to see them light the place up because you simply cannot argue with down picking and Jackson guitars. One of the things that a tightly controlled stage time means is that they have to tear through their set in a quick order, with little chance to introduce their music. Luckily, they just happen to be a solid bunch and gave me their set list for tonight.
Evolve starts the juggernaut rolling and it doesn’t stop, it’s a heavy, fast and incredibly immediate as they blast Into The Abyss, delivering a furious one-two. What I loved is their approach and their energy, and that they were doing everything possible to make sure that we enjoyed ourselves. Heading to the end, they break out some serious grooves on Lampião before deciding to kick our heads in with the none more-rapid Real Dolls.
This is gloriously old school, from the shared lead duties to the solid riffology that runs through each of their songs and if you haven’t heard them before, check them out. You won’t regret it.
And now for some prog, which on the surface seems like a wild choice but Ring Of Gyges (7) follow on and bring a completely different sound, one that has a more cerebral approach which is no less heavy than Royal Rage but is one that is chock full of melody along with the riffs. And what riffs they are. This is majestic stuff, a set that showcases an amazing understanding of how prog should sound from the opener Dragonflies which is storming through to Nautilus and a lead break that was just fantastic. I’m not a massive fan of prog, and its likely due to listening to the wrong bands but this landed differently.
This is gloriously old school, from the shared lead duties to the solid riffology that runs through each of their songs and if you haven’t heard them before, check them out. You won’t regret it.
And now for some prog, which on the surface seems like a wild choice but Ring Of Gyges (7) follow on and bring a completely different sound, one that has a more cerebral approach which is no less heavy than Royal Rage but is one that is chock full of melody along with the riffs. And what riffs they are. This is majestic stuff, a set that showcases an amazing understanding of how prog should sound from the opener Dragonflies which is storming through to Nautilus and a lead break that was just fantastic. I’m not a massive fan of prog, and its likely due to listening to the wrong bands but this landed differently.
Heady stuff and Parasite, from their album Metamorphosis brings more exceptional technical ability that charges into life, the addition of keys that expand it even further. Their last song is The Face Of God, their self-proclaimed ‘Long Song’ and this is just something else. This is absolutely epic, with an opening that just screams progressive, nailing the heavy part with an arrangement that builds and builds until the sexy keyboards come in. This is just exceptional stuff that's played with a sense of humour, asking us to clap in an odd time signature cos it's prog. There is a serious talent here and with this being their first visit to Manchester (same for Royal Rage) I hope it’s not long before they return.
Just as Royal Rage brought the aggression, and Ring Of Gyges brought the technical nous, Stråle (7) bring a mix of the atmospheric and pure rock, with vocals to match. Hailing from Finland, they turn up and know what the brief is straight from the off. This is engaging and refreshing stuff, music that has a firm understanding that sometimes you just need to get your head down and be direct.
It’s a dynamic set too, one that lives up to their bio as being a band who can bring it live. There is a real warmth from them, and they seem to get so much done in their allotted time as leader Daniel throws all the shapes required whilst nailing his vocals in song after song. A high point is Resist And Reform, their new single and is one of those infectious tracks that seeps into your ears and stays there. A heartfelt dedication to Daniels mother is made before they launch into Close Is Not Enough, a heartfelt and powerful song that is received the right way by the crowd.
What cannot be denied is the command of melodic metal at their disposal, each song is crammed with hooks and are made for dancing, pure and simple. It’s just a class set of rock that is heavy as it is accessible played by a band who are super tight. If you get the opportunity to catch them, please do so because you are guaranteed a night of the purest rock.
Dirty Shirt (8) are next, hailing from Romania and I have to say that once I saw the violin I thought that it would be folk based in one way or another. Described as crossover, bringing their unique approach to metal I didn’t expect a lot and I was completely unprepared for their set. They strike up and launch into a song with no sound.
Just as Royal Rage brought the aggression, and Ring Of Gyges brought the technical nous, Stråle (7) bring a mix of the atmospheric and pure rock, with vocals to match. Hailing from Finland, they turn up and know what the brief is straight from the off. This is engaging and refreshing stuff, music that has a firm understanding that sometimes you just need to get your head down and be direct.
It’s a dynamic set too, one that lives up to their bio as being a band who can bring it live. There is a real warmth from them, and they seem to get so much done in their allotted time as leader Daniel throws all the shapes required whilst nailing his vocals in song after song. A high point is Resist And Reform, their new single and is one of those infectious tracks that seeps into your ears and stays there. A heartfelt dedication to Daniels mother is made before they launch into Close Is Not Enough, a heartfelt and powerful song that is received the right way by the crowd.
What cannot be denied is the command of melodic metal at their disposal, each song is crammed with hooks and are made for dancing, pure and simple. It’s just a class set of rock that is heavy as it is accessible played by a band who are super tight. If you get the opportunity to catch them, please do so because you are guaranteed a night of the purest rock.
Dirty Shirt (8) are next, hailing from Romania and I have to say that once I saw the violin I thought that it would be folk based in one way or another. Described as crossover, bringing their unique approach to metal I didn’t expect a lot and I was completely unprepared for their set. They strike up and launch into a song with no sound.
Bear me with, cos they soon realise and once a lead is checked or the sound guy sacked, they kick in properly. The stage isn't big enough for the band, and it's just something else. Dual vocals that bring metal with traditional Romanian melody which absolutely swings, and the crowd are lapping it up. There's a few with tees on, bouncing along and it's like watching the greatest warm-up band ever. Every song is enthusiastically received, and I am struggling to find a sound that is comparable to this.
There's a palpable energy that is being transmitted from the stage to the crowd and it just doesn’t stop. I don’t remember them introducing a song until Dopamine comes in with a simple start and then they drop their Romanian roots into it, and it takes off. It’s just fun, pure fun but don’t think for a second that they don't rock, they do. As the they reach the end, they request that we jump, and we duly observe as they continue to mesh their sound of their country with some wickedly low riffwork. This is a band are determined to get you involved at every step, and I have to admit that the violin brings an extra dimension to their songs. Astonishing stuff.
Orphaned Land (9) take to the stage and just own it. Just as each band on tonight has been completely different from the one before, they stand apart as they unleash a set that is just something else. I’ve seen and heard bands that combine traditional and modern musical methods in an effort to create truly authentic art and I’ll be honest nothing has come close to this.
They open with a song that has an epic feel to it, full of atmosphere whilst also being heavy as you like and as it is as though they have welcomed you into their home and are sharing gifts. It’s a set that is sublime, from The Simple Man being anything but simple into The Kiss Of Babylon which also magnificent into All Is One that turns in a stomper that sees vocalist Kobi Farhi hold in the audience in the palm of his hands. It is such a commanding performance that doesn’t rely on animated movement or attempts to whip the crowd up and when they do want our help it’s done in a way that brings the song forward. I don’t think I’ve seen someone deliver so effortlessly.
We Do Not Resist is in their own words an angry track and it’s a corker. It's a move towards more traditional metal in how it is arranged but it still possesses a sound unique to them and when they move to bring out their traditional instrument of a Bouzouki to herald their final tracks see them step up once more. Emotional, charged material that receives rapt applause, and they are done, and you feel that you have witnessed something special. Very special indeed.
Orphaned Land (9) take to the stage and just own it. Just as each band on tonight has been completely different from the one before, they stand apart as they unleash a set that is just something else. I’ve seen and heard bands that combine traditional and modern musical methods in an effort to create truly authentic art and I’ll be honest nothing has come close to this.
They open with a song that has an epic feel to it, full of atmosphere whilst also being heavy as you like and as it is as though they have welcomed you into their home and are sharing gifts. It’s a set that is sublime, from The Simple Man being anything but simple into The Kiss Of Babylon which also magnificent into All Is One that turns in a stomper that sees vocalist Kobi Farhi hold in the audience in the palm of his hands. It is such a commanding performance that doesn’t rely on animated movement or attempts to whip the crowd up and when they do want our help it’s done in a way that brings the song forward. I don’t think I’ve seen someone deliver so effortlessly.
We Do Not Resist is in their own words an angry track and it’s a corker. It's a move towards more traditional metal in how it is arranged but it still possesses a sound unique to them and when they move to bring out their traditional instrument of a Bouzouki to herald their final tracks see them step up once more. Emotional, charged material that receives rapt applause, and they are done, and you feel that you have witnessed something special. Very special indeed.
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