Not least amongst the
treats are Valous. A line up change has seen them bumped up the order and on
the evidence of their thrilling half hour it is a very much-deserved promotion.
They pedal similar meaty hooks to that of The Almighty in their heyday and with
songs like “Locked Up Inside,” “Fools Dance” and newbie “Blisters” – apparently
from a new album they are releasing - they are most definitely worth having a
look at.
Another set of West
Midlands metal stalwarts, Left For Red, are next. Evidently they are close to
Valous – and there is a warm atmosphere amongst all the bands this evening –
and they too operate in a distinctly British metal vein. They are unpretentious
and fun, and with man mountain frontman LC providing a focal point they are
always enjoyable. Alongside the tried and tested “Empty Shell” and “Shatter,”
they too choose to unveil a new song and “Mercy Fight” sits very snugly indeed
in their cannon.
Birmingham’s Under
Blackened Skies have no problems following this, and the past few years on the
circuit have turned them into a formidable live act. Easily the heaviest band
on the bill this evening, they are almost Black Metal in their approach, and
although “Faceless Devastation” remains their best song, there is always much
to enjoy, including a fine “Sense of Reason.”
Back in March, at this
very venue Under Blackened Skies were the main support to Beholder. Whether by
accident or design, it has worked out that way again. Equally curiously
Beholder played that UK tour to unveil some songs from a new album, entitled “The
Black Flag” which was apparently to be released just after. As of yet the album
still hasn’t seen light of day, which is a shame as it sounds like it could be
a monster.
Whether they want just to
tease us, or the album – a follow up to the stunning “The Awakening” - has
suffered some setbacks is unclear. What is certain, however, is the “…Flag”
songs are very heavy indeed. Frontman Simon Hall cuts an angry demeanor and
that suits the mood of the new songs like “Toxic Nation” and the title track
perfectly.
Like in March they mix the
new stuff with plenty of songs from the debut, kicking off with “Heretic” and
playing “Snake Eyes” before insisting on the weekends first circle pit during
“Razorline.”
Hall launches into his
usual impassioned speech about bands not needing record companies during “Here
I Stand” before a truncated set is brought to a close with the best of the old
in “The Awakening” before bringing in the new with “Footprints in the Sand.”
RTM’s impatience to hear
the new album notwithstanding, the fact remains that Beholder are even better
now than when RTM first clapped eyes on them at the Hellfire Fest at the NEC in
2009 – and they were pretty damn good then.
One of British metal’s best kept secrets, Beholder
were absolutely the best band possible to close a celebration of underground
metal.
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