Timeline – Page 315

Attica Rage -Warheads Ltd

Attica Rage -Warheads Ltd
Off Yer Rocka Recordings
Release Date: 06/06/2016
Running Time: 44:21
Review by Dawn King
9/10

Warheads Ltd, released on 6^th June 2016, is the fourth album by this heavy rock band from Glasgow, Scotland. Now signed to Off Ya Rocka Recordings, the home of bands such as The Quireboys and Bonafide, Attica Rage were formed in 2003 by brothers Richie Rage (drums) and Johnny Parr (vocals/guitar) and released an early ep in 2005.

The line up was completed with Steve Bell (guitar) joining the band in 2007 and the arrival of bassist Matthew Ward in 2014 and the band have, over the years, built up a global fanbase, supporting the likes of Black Label Society, Testament, Saxon, Skindred, Diamond Head and Armored Saint as well sharing festival bills will the likes of Judas Priest, Slash, Blind Guardian and WASP.

Being three and a half years since their last album, 88MPH, which consistently received good reviews, this latest release has been eagerly anticipated.

If I am honest I had heard OF Attica Rage, as they were on the bill at High Voltage festival, but I had actually never heard any of their stuff. Upon hearing the album teaser on Youtube I jumped at the chance to review it, and I am so glad I did.

Produced, engineered and mixed by vocalist/guitarist Jonny Parr, with the drum tracking and final mastering added by Roddy Macaudio, Warheads Ltd, its 10 songs lasting 44 minutes, is an album full of catchy rock anthems with heavy metal riffs and classic ballads thrown in.

Not quite a heavy metal band but so obviously much more than a rock band, it’s clear who they are greatly influenced by, and they are not afraid to show it. With the sound of Black Sabbath, Ozzy and Black Label Society, they also have the brashness of Motorhead and the heavy metal attitude of Metallica, Iron Maiden and Anthrax. If ever there was a band that would appeal to a wide variety of rock and metal fans then Attica Rage would be it.

Track 2 on the album “Falling Down” was released as a digital single on 6^th May 2016, accompanied by a video, and features two live bonus tracks, ‘Killer Carousel’ and a cover of the Motorhead song “Overkill” as a tribute to the late, great Lemmy who passed away last year.

Stand out track for me was the title track “Warheads Ltd”, its heavy guitars and thumping drums, appealing more to my heavy metal side but every track has its own merits and there is not a bad song on the album, including the instrumental.

The band, who have a “solid reputation for energetic and powerful performances” will be going on tour in the autumn of this year and I, for one, hope to catch them at The Black Heart in Camden.

I absolutely loved this album and I will definitely be checking out their previous releases.

Anyone who has the slightest interest in rock or heavy metal should get themselves a copy of this album and I guarantee you will not be disappointed.

TRACKLISTING:
1. Beyond the 45
2. Falling Down
3. Warheads Ltd.
4. El Chupacabra
5. All Summer Long
6. Lost In Memory
7. Into The Ether
8. New World Decay
9. Haunted (Prelude)
10. Haunted

LINE-UP:
Richie Rage – drums
Matthew Ward – bass
Jonny Parr – vocals, guitar
Lawrence O’Brien – guitar

LINKS:

Disclaimer: This review is solely the property of Dawn ‘The Metal Priestess’ King and Loud Stuff. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this review, unless you have the strict permission of both parties. Failure to do adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities. Reproduced here with kind permission from Loud Stuff

My Affected Reality – Window In Time

My Affected Reality – Window In Time
Self-released
Release Date: 22/11/2015
Running Time: 51:40
Review by Dawn King
7/10

Being a big heavy metal fan it’s not very often that something other than metal lands in my inbox but that’s exactly what happened when Ron Irwin of the band My Affected Reality asked me to review their album “Window in Time.”

Formed in 2008 in Oshawa, Ontario in Canada, all three members of My Affected Reality are formerly of the band Juice, which also featured the talents of Darren Smith, Jake E Lee’s singer, and JD Fortune of INXS, and they have since opened for the likes of Motley Crue, INXS and 3 Days Grace.

On the first play through it’s really quite difficult to categorise where this band should fall on the music spectrum. Is it rock? Is it metal or should it be classified under 80’s electro-funk? Subsequent listens dispel all previous thinking and the album should be taken at face-value. Its guitar rock with a few heavy metal riffs and the funk of electric pop all fused together in such a way that the sound is almost somewhat unique. In the words of the band themselves “My Affected Reality has a dark driving flavour with melodic hooks.”

Opening with “Damage”, one of my favourite tracks on the album, listeners could be fooled into thinking they were listening to a metal band with the heavy riffs associated with that genre but with the melodic “Believe” and the funky sounding “Beautiful” coming later on, it’s evident there is so much more to this band.

The members are all clearly talented musicians and play extremely together well. The singer has the sort of voice that would be suited to singing any genre of rock music and is complimented perfectly by the backing vocals. The electronic sounds intermingle perfectly with the drumming and guitar riffs, never overpowering the whole vibe of the album and the overall result is an eclectic sound that could transport you back to the 1980’s or keep you firmly in the present day.

I under-estimated this album the first time I listened through it, being influenced by my heavy metal roots, but I am glad I gave it another chance. Having had it in my car for five days straight I still have not tired of it which, in my opinion, is always a good thing.

If you are a metal head through and through then this might not be the album for you, but you are willing to explore other types of rock music, then give this album a go. You might just like it…….

TRACKLISTING:
1. Damage
2. Life Is for the Living
3. Sorry
4. Beautiful
5. My Affected Reality
6. Shiver
7. Just Like You
8. Hero
9. Fight or Flight
10. Shine
11. I Believe
12. Dig

LINE-UP:
Patt Shore – Vocals
Ron Irwin – Guitar
Trevor Forbes – Bass
Rob Boutcher – Drums

LINKS:

Disclaimer: This review is solely the property of Dawn ‘The Metal Priestess’ King and Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this review, unless you have the strict permission of both parties. Failure to do adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.

Temtris – Enter The Asylum

Temtris – Enter The Asylum
Battlegod Productions
Release Date: 09/04/2016
Running Time: 51:29
Review by Dawn King
8/10

The only thing I knew about the band Temtris when I was given this album to review was that two of the members were ex-Mortal Sin. I had never heard any of their previous material nor did I know anything about their background.

Hailing from the south coast of New South Wales in Australia, the remnants of the band Labyrinth, namely Genevieve Rodda on vocals and Anthony “Fox” Roberts on guitar, are joined by ex-Mortal Sin members Anthony Hoffman also on guitar and Wayne Campbell on drums, with the line up completed by Adam Wotherspoon on bass. “Enter The Asylum” is their fourth album to date, released on 9^th april 2016 by Battlegod Productions.

At just over 51 minutes long, the twelve songs are a mix of power and traditional heavy metal that will hit you like a speeding bullet train. The twin guitars of Hoffman and Fox pack an absolute punch and get you right between the eyes, and the solos kick some serious butt too.

Rodda’s strong vocals throughout the album are complimented by low growls dotted here and there from Hoffman, and she commands the well written lyrics perfectly. The guitar and drum work is extremely well played and it is clear the band have given 110% in the recording process.

Stand out songs for me are “Mind Games” which truly pounds the brain, title track “Enter The Asylum”,a pure heavy metal song throughout and “The Summoning”, which begins with the sounds of a church organ before it kicks in full throttle battering your ears as only heavy metal should.

The one instrumental “Too Deep” will defy anyone not to bang their head and the only “ballad” on the album, the piano led “Lament”, displays just how good a singer Genevieve is. But don’t get too comfortable because this is only a temporary breather as final song “Phoenix” cranks it back up again, ending the album with a crash, a bang and a wallop.

If I am totally honest, at the first play I wasn’t sure about this album but I am glad I gave it another run through, and then another, and another, a true opinion of the album soon setting it. I love the album’s artwork which was painted on a 1m x 1m square canvas and I shall definitely be checking out the band’s back catalogue.

“Enter The Asylum” is a well-written, well produced piece of work and the band should be extremely proud of what they have created. I can’t compare it to previous albums they have recorded but it’s one that definitely should be in any metal fan’s collection.

But don’t take my word for, go and check it out for yourself.

TRACKLISTING:

LINE-UP:
Adam Wotherspoon – Bass
Wayne Campbell – Drums
Anthony Fox – Guitars
Genevieve Rodda – Vocals (lead)
Anthony Hoffman – Guitars, Vocals

LINKS:

Syr Daria – Voices

Syr Daria – Voices
Brennus Music
Release Date: 13/12/2015
Running Time: 49:35
Review by Dawn King
8/10

These days it’s difficult to make an album that hasn’t “borrowed” something from another band, the odd riff here and there, a melody or a lyric, and this album is no different. Sounding a little like early Iced Earth with the hint of James Hetfield on vocals, it’s clear who the bands influences are but this does not take away from their originality.

“Voices” the second album from French band Syr Daria was released in December 2015 and has everything a metal album should.

Kicking off with “Back To The Circus”, an obvious show opener, the album starts as it means to go on, riffs, drums and a catchy chorus.

Followed by “Gilead”, a slower song that does not fail to pull any punches with its fantastic guitar solos and awesome drumming, this is one of the best songs on the album.

The stand out songs for me, and there were two, were “Slaves”, a song that switches from soft melodic verses to full on thrash choruses, and the title track “Voices” but there is not a bad song on the entire album.

Having finished recording the album in December 2015, the band offered it to many labels but only one was prepared to give them the support they needed to issue it and it was officially released on 15^th may 2016 under the Brennus Music Label. Only having interest from one label was a surprise to me as the guys gel together so well they sound like they have been playing together for years, each complimenting the others with their excellent playing, all brought together by the singer’s vocals, strong, sometimes aggressive yet melodic at the same time. These guys can certainly play!

I, personally, hadn’t heard of Syr Daria before Michel Erhart, one of the guitarists, approached me to do a review of the album and I am so glad he did. “Voices” is one of the best albums I have heard in a long time and I will definitely be checking out their first album “Circus of Life” released in 2011.

Since then Syr Daria have been guests supporting the likes of Tankard, Paul Di’Anno and Scorpions, and in my opinion, thoroughly deserved those guest spots.

I hope to hear a lot more of this band in the future and I sincerely hope I get to see them perform live.

Go check ‘em out!!

TRACKLISTING:
1. Back to the Circus
2. Gilead
3. Army of Clowns
4. Slaves
5. Pornstar
6. Hannibal
7. The Monkey
8. Walk with the Dead
9. Insomnia
10. Voices

LINE-UP:
Christophe Bruner – Drums
Michel Erhart – Guitars
Thomas Haessy – Guitars
Guillaume Hesse – Vocals, Bass

LINKS:

Kaine – The Waystone

Kaine – The Waystone
MRG Music LTD
Release Date: 01/08/2014
Running Time: 63:44
Review by Dawn King
8/10

Not being the biggest fan of New Wave of British Heavy Metal, to be given an album by a band who’s own website states they “combine Traditional/NWOBHM with Thrash/Speed metal” I was a little bit apprehensive, but I was more than pleasantly surprised.

“The Waystone”, the second album from East Anglian metallers Kaine, brings together NWOBHM influences from bands such as Iron Maiden and Saxon with the thrash elements of metal that I so love, to produce a fresh take on an older genre.

Opening with “Iron Lady”, even the title of the track seemingly paying homage to one of their obvious influences, the album seems to be a tribute to the bands of yesteryear, but if this is the case, then Kaine have totally nailed it. If any band can capture the sound of the metal greats that are Iron Maiden, Saxon and Judas Priest, then they are half way there.

“Iron Lady”, to be fair, does sound a lot like an Iron Maiden song, but it’s a great opener to a great album. This sound, however, does not carry through all nine tacks, and the second track “The New Wave” reminded me very much of my days as a huge Rage Against The Machine fan. “Dreams to Nightmares” starts with a drum rumble so familiar that one could be forgiven that “Painkiller” was about to start and track number eight “Wanderer” takes us straight back to the 80’s again.

As soon as this album started I knew it was going to be great, my favourite track changing with each new song I heard. However, the two tracks that stood out for me are “Resistance”, which carries on with the early Maiden sound and has a really catchy chorus that will have you humming for the rest of the day, and “This Soul Exchange”. Judged by some as being too lengthy at around eight minutes, it doesn’t, to me, have the feel of being that long. Starting slow, it builds up in speed and intensity before slowing back down again, and I would class it as the epic song of the album.

Being able to switch from sounding like Iron Maiden on one song to a slowed down version of Death Angel on another is a talent not many bands could pull off and, because of this, to some, the songs don’t appear to fit together but, personally, I think this adds to the greatness of the album. I like to be surprised when listening to a new cd, not bored by the monotony of every song sounding the same, and “The Waystone” certainly did that. Take a great big pot, throw in some traditional heavy metal, a handful of NWOBHM, and a bit of thrash, add a pinch of prog, mix thoroughly and you will come up with this fantastic album.

I really enjoyed “The Waystone”, having had it playing in my car for six days straight and I hope to see and hear a lot more of Kaine in the coming years. They are a hard-working band, full of talent, who have played over ninety shows, supporting the likes of Praying Mantis, Striker and Absolva, and they definitely deserve to be bigger than what they are.

So grab yourself a copy of the album and get yourself to a Kaine gig! They will almost certainly be a part of the future of heavy metal \m/

TRACKLISTING:
1. Iron Lady
2. The New Wave
3. Dreams to Nightmares
4. Solidarity
5. Resistance
6. Entropy (Unrelenting Chaos)
7. This Soul Exchange
8. Wanderer
9. The Waystone

LINE-UP:
Rage Sadler – Rhythm and lead guitars, vocals
Dan Mailer – Bass, vocals and keyboards
Anthony Mirch – Lead and rhythm guitars
Chris Mackinnon – Drums
Saxon Davis – Led and rhythm guitars

LINKS:

Nelson – Peace Out

Nelson – Peace Out
Frontiers Records
Release Date: 15/05/2015
Running Time: 57:24
Review by Dawn King
7/10

It’s not very often that something other than thrash, death or heavy metal lands in my inbox, but new album “Peace Out” by American rock band Nelson was one of these rare occurrences.

Bursting onto the scene in 1990 with their single “(I Can’t Live Without Your) Love and Affection” from their debut album “After The Rain”, twins Gunnar and Matthew Nelson have released ten albums over their 25 year career, with “Peace Out” being the fourth released by Frontiers records in five years.

I, personally, had never heard of Nelson and, having no preconceptions of what they should or shouldn’t sound like, I listened to the album with an open mind. I wasn’t disappointed.

Totally different to what I usually listened to, it had me tapping my foot in the car almost by the end of the second song and by the time I reached my place of work, I really didn’t want to turn it off.

Opening with the song “Hello Everybody”, a chorus that will stay with you for the rest of the day, it is upbeat, melodic rock from start to finish. The twin guitars and harmonising vocals will make you want to dance around the living room and the catchy choruses will have you singing along almost instantly.

The stand out song for me was “Invincible”, closely followed by “Rock Star” and “You and Me”, and for those who like a good, meaty ballad this album offers two, “On The Bright Side” and the closing song “Leave a Light on For Me”, both offering the listener a change of pace just where it’s needed, before launching them back into the next solid offering of up tempo hair rock.

At times, the album can feel a bit “samey” but another sing-a-long-a-chorus soon comes along to eradicate that sentiment.

This is a feel good, toe tapping album that will go down a storm with AOR lovers, old and new. It won’t appeal to die hard metal fans but I quite liked it…

….and I’m a thrash girl through and through.

TRACKLISTING:
1. Hello Everybody
2. Back In The Day
3. Invincible
4. Let It Ride
5. I Wanna Stay Home
6. On The Bright Side
7. Rockstar
8. Autograph
9. What’s Not To Love?
10. You And Me
11. Bad For You
12. Leave The Light On For Me

LINE-UP:
Matthew Nelson – lead vocals, bass guitar, guitars
Gunnar Nelson – lead vocals, guitars, drums, keyboards, piano

LINKS:

Spreading The Disease – Viral EP

Spreading The Disease – Viral EP
Self Released
Release Date: 27/02/2016
Running Time: 19:10
Review by Dawn King
7/10

When Steve Saunders approached me via Facebook to do a review of his band’s debut EP, I didn’t really know what to expect so I plugged my headphones into my Samsung android phone and pressed play.

The creation of Steve, formerly bassist from The Self Titled, Spreading The Disease, a contemporary metal band, were formed in late 2014 and hail from Kent in the United Kingdom.

Released on February 27^th 2016, their four track EP, Viral, is a mix of aggressive riffs and amazing hooks and licks, blended together with both dirty and clean vocals to produce a sound that is quite unique.

The opening track F.U.C.K.U, a song packed full of hostility, is a direct middle finger for the listener to anyone who has ever pissed them off, giving them a no bullshit attitude right from the start.

High energetic drumming from Edd Saunders, and heavy riffs from lead guitarist Julien Riquelme are prevalent throughout the EP, with rhythm guitar being provided by Martin Osborne and Steve on bass creating the overall balls to the wall sound.

The stand out song for me was the last track Evolution, vocalist Adam May showing his ability to swap between dirty vocals and clean, fast riffs interspersed with more melodic sounds.

Drawing on influences such as Pantera, Machinehead and Devildriver, this is an English band with an American attitude, and a heavy fucking metal sound.

Spreading The Disease may only have been around for a relatively short period of time, but judging by the impact the EP has on the listener and their extensive internet presence I would say these guys are around to stay.

TRACKLISTING:
1. Bulldozer
2. Evolution
3. F.U.C.K.U.
4.Lost Generation

LINE-UP:
Adam May – Vocals
Ju Riqeulme – Guitar
Edd Saunders – Drums
Steve Saunders – Bass
Martin Osborne – Guitar

LINKS:

Morti Viventi – The Day The Dead Returned

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Morti Viventi – The Day The Dead Returned
UKEM Records
Release Date: 31/10/2014
Running Time: 46:13
Review by Dawn King
9 / 10

Release in 2014 on UKEM Records, The Day the Dead Returned, is the debut album from Stamford based, UK band, Morti Viventi. Literally translated their name means “living dead” and the whole album is a tribute to all things zombie.

On being given this album, I was immediately filled with dread and tried to put off listening to it. This initial reaction, without hearing a single note, was due to one thing, the band’s logo. That scrawly writing, that no matter what way round you turned the paper, you still can’t read, indicated one thing to me…black metal and not being a big black metal fan, I thought I would hate it.

The first few riffs of the opening song blasted through the speakers and I absolutely loved what I heard, however, with an introduction of nearly a minute, I had to wait for the vocals that I was sure would ruin it all again.

But, with more than a hint of Chuck Billy in his voice, the singer totally nailed it.

Morti Viventi are a thrash band and a damn good one at that!

But the more astonishing thing of all is the fact that they are not actually a band. Morti Viventi is just Adrian (Aidy) J Heathershaw, one man who had the vision of having his own band and after belonging to several bands which dissolved, he took it on himself to produce a record that was 99% performed by him.

And what an album, what a debut!

He takes the part of all instruments, except for a guitar solo in the last song “Thrash or Die” and does a superb job of them all. With riffs upon riffs and stunning drum work, topped with a voice to rival any of the top four thrash bands, he has created a VERY, HEAVY album.

A mixture of Testament, Slayer and with just a trace of Lordi, not such a bad thing if you ask me, this is probably one of the best thrash albums of the year. At only 46 minutes, and just seven tracks, long, it is high intensity, full out thrash from start to finish.

The stand out song for me is track 4, “Maniac – Face the Shape” but there really is not a bad song on the album, except maybe for track 6, “The Arrival”, which, although is not inherently bad, it is an instrumental and I tend not to favour instrumentals.

The album warrants an 8, all by itself, but doing this great album as a one man band, deserves a little extra credit which is why I have given it a 9. The title of the last song “Thrash or Die” completely sums up the whole feel of this album and if you like your thrash, then this is an album for you.

TRACKLISTING:
1. Hell On Earth
2. The Day The Dead Returned…
3. Whorehouse of the Undead
4. Maniac/Face the Shape
5. Spawn Of Another Kind
6. The Arrival Of The Anti-God
7. Thrash or Die

LINE-UP:
Adrian (Aidy) J Heathershaw – All instruments and vocals

LINKS:

Judas Priest – Redeemer of Souls

Judas Priest – Redeemer of Souls
Epic Records
Release Date: 14/07/2014
Running Time: 61:58
Review by Dawn King
7/10

“Redeemer of Souls”, released on Epic Records in the summer of 2014, is the seventeenth studio album from the Birmingham heavy metal band, Judas Priest and the job of reviewing it was always going to be tough for me, being one of their biggest fans.

It’s the first album featuring new guitarist Ritchie Faulkner after he replaced K.K. Downing in 2011 and this together with the mediocrity of previous album “Nostradamus” made me a little sceptical but I took it on with an open mind and non judgemental ears.

At just over an hour long this album needed to grab me by the short and curlies, making me want to headbang my way around the living room and reach for my air guitar but after the first play through, it sadly didn’t do this.

Gone were the hundred miles an hour guitar solos and the ear piercing vocals of frontman, Rob Halford, of the 80’s. But play it through a few times and you will see they have been replaced by slower riffs and rumbling drums throughout. This gives the album a heavy, methodical feel, although this can, at times, make the album seem as if its “plodding” along. A slight change in order of the tracks could possibly have overcome this and even the much overplayed “March of the Damned” eventually had me nodding my head as I drove to work (too much real headbanging would have made me crash my car!)

The lyrics throughout the album are generally strong, if a bit repetitive on a few tracks, but Halford’s vocals are back to tip top condition, despite recent criticism.

“Cold Blooded” is the stand out song for me, its lyrics haunting me from the very first time I heard them, a compliment to all those who contributed to the writing of the track.

“Battle Cry” is the only track I have to fast forward as it reeks of “Nostradamus” and the obligatory Priest ballad “Beginning of the End” is the final song on the album. Is this a subliminal message to the fans as to what is to come?

If you want to hear a Judas Priest album with the Priest sound of their 80’s heyday, then don’t buy this album. But if you are willing to embrace the idea that bands sometimes evolve and change as they get older and can’t necessarily perform to the speed and intensity they used to then this is one for you.

This album is a definitely a “grower” and the more I listen to it the more I like it.

And that’s not just the Priest fan in me talking!

TRACKLISTING:
1. Dragonaut
2. Redeemer of Souls
3. Halls of Valhalla
4. Sword of Damocles
5. March of the Damned
6. Down in Flames
7. Hell & Back
8. Cold Blooded
9. Metalizer
10. Crossfire
11. Secrets of the Dead
12. Battle Cry
13. Beginning of the End

LINE-UP:
Rob Halford – vocals
Glenn Tipton – guitars, keyboards
Richie Faulkner – guitars
Ian Hill – bass
Scott Travis – drums

LINKS:

Metal Church at The Underworld, London

Metal Church at The Underworld, London
TUESDAY 10^TH MAY 2016
By Dawn King

Ever since The Underworld announced back in February of this year a one off UK date for one of my favourite metal bands of all time, I knew I had to be there. After over two decades away from British shores, Metal Church were coming back, and with a new album to boot.

Their eleventh studio album, appropriately named XI, marked the return of vocalist Mike Howe after twenty years out of the band, debuting at number 57 on the US Billboard chart and the ensuing tour of the US, with substitute guitarist Chris Caffery, who was deputising for the side-lined Rick Van Zandt, went down a storm.

The one and only UK date, held on the anniversary of original singer, David Wayne’s, death, was no different.

Opening up with Fake Healer, from the 1989 album Blessing in Disguise, the tone was set for the rest of the gig. Followed by In Mourning, from Howe’s second album The Human Factor, and Start The Fire from The Dark, the new album wasn’t even mentioned until the fourth song in when the band, and the crowd, erupted with Reset, proving that the mass of metal-heads, of all ages, appreciated the new songs as well as the old.

God of Second Chance from 1994’s Hanging in the Balance and The Human Factor’s Date with Poverty followed before the band reverted back to the new album. The only introduction the song needed was “the video we made” and the whole crowd knew No Tomorrow, my personal favourite from the album, was up next.

And of course, no Metal Church gig would be complete without the classic Watch the Children Pray from the aforementioned album The Dark, everyone singing along word perfect.

No Friend of Mine, new song Killing Your Time, and fan’s favourite Beyond the Black from their 1984 debut album, Metal Church, completed the set but it didn’t end there.

After rapturous chants of “Metal Church, Metal Church” the band took to the stage once more for their encore of Badlands and ended with Human Factor, disappointing some of the more hardened fans by not finishing with the definitive Metal Church.

But did this take away from the atmosphere of the gig? Certainly not. The crowd were enthusiastic and energetic and so were the band. In my humble opinion, if a band seems as if they are having a good time, so will everyone else and, with vigorous drumming from Jeff Plate, riffs galore from guitarist Kurdt Vanderhoof and onstage antics between Steve Unger on bass and Rick Van Zandt, also on guitar, along with the powerful, unfaltering vocals from Mike Howe, these guys were definitely having fun.

Their interaction with the fans, both during the gig and afterwards, with signing and photo opportunities, shows this is a band who value those who got them where they are, and who keep them there. They are a band for the fans, and, I, being one such fan, who never thought she would ever see them, hope they come back to our shores very soon.

Metal Church are back at the top of their game and I defy anyone not to have a good old head bang at one of their gigs.

LINE-UP:
Mike Howe – Vocals
Kurdt Vanderhoof – Guitar
Jeff Plate – Drums
Steve Unger – Bass
Rick Van Zandt – Guitar

LINKS: