London’s 12 Bar Club is the scene of my first gig of 2016 and there’s a really heavy line up to assault the senses. Tonight is sure to be a celebration of cranking heaviosity courtesy of some fine British underground talent. For a Thursday night, it’s not a bad little turn out and the intimacy of the 12 Bar Club suits very nicely, thank you.
Death & The Miser are straight out cool. Aside from ever so tasty, pile driving riffage, they have an almost punkish, screw you attitude. I’m reminded a little of Satan’s Satyrs with vocals that border on the maniacal and grooves that are irresistible. The set never lets up with a real edge to each song – “Riceman” is an absolute belter. The boys really get heads banging with a frenetic cover of Black Sabbath’s “Supernaut” which perfectly sets up the rest of the night.
Brule attack from a different end of the heavy scale. More doomy and dirty, I’m surprised cracks didn’t start to appear in the walls. Alastair Riddell produces some absolutely bowel shaking riffs not dissimilar to his work in Age Of Taurus. This is a rumbling set with bass man Tjay Tarantino and Robert Wilson on drums providing a huge platform while Johnny Ogle’s vocal soar over it all. Should you not have not seen them before, I suggest you remedy that situation soon.
Tonight is my first experience with Edinburgh’s King Witch and I’m immediately floored. Laura Donnelly’s vocals are simply incredible, soaring above the classic metal influences from the rest of the band. The set has power and majesty that will surely command bigger venues and crowds going forward. One moment NWOBHM tinges, the next Dio-esque power – this is a commanding set. Opening with “Shoulders Of Giants” it’s difficult not be gobsmacked. This is a very tight sounding unit and by the time they finish up with “Lucid” I’m only left asking myself why the hell I hadn’t seen them before.
This was a great display of the local underground talent on offer. Please get out there and check these bands out as soon as you can. May 2016 contain many more nights like this.
(Johnny Zed)
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