THE HU & FIRE FROM THE GODS Are Brilliant In Bristol, UK [Review & Photo Gallery]

This is the second trip to Bristol and the UK by the Mongolian metal band The Hu. They have been taking the world by storm with their truly unique sound that shows off their native heritage as well as their influence from modern metal bands. Their style is completely different from anything else in the metal genre, and after their recent duet with Papa Roach’s Jacoby Shaddix on the track “Wolf Totem” it’s made them even more popular. Their support act this time around is the Texas based heavy metal band Fire From The Gods. The band has a way of appealing to a wide fan base as their sound can’t be pigeon holed to one genre, but they incorporate elements of metalcore, nu metal, traditional heavy metal, and thrash. Lead vocalist AJ Channer is the backbone of the band and his inspirational lyrics along with the bands immense groove have helped them establish a large following. Even though the band has been road dogs for the past several years constantly staying on tour this is Fire From The Gods first trip to the UK. That being said the fans tonight are in for one hell of a show as it will be their first time seeing Fire From The Gods and the chance to witness a once in a lifetime act like The Hu. On a side note I interviewed Fire From The Gods frontman AJ just before their set , you can check the interview out on Metal Nexus coming soon. Continue reading

KILLSWITCH ENGAGE & REVOCATION Inspire Headbanging In The U.K. [Review & Photo Gallery]

So on arrival to the Bristol o2 the queue was all the way up the hill next to the venue before the doors opened. I overheard fans chatting before the show and I heard them saying Howard Jones was there, but you hear that at every Killswitch Engage gig, and yes sometimes he does turn up. Also will Adam D wear a cape tonight, or will he go to the bar again and order shots mid set? It was bound to be an amazing night with not only Killswitch Engage taking the stage but also Boston, Massachusetts based band Revocation and the German metal band Tenside opening the show. What would be the stand out memories from tonight’s show? Let’s just wait and see. Continue reading

STATIC-X, DOPE & More Honor Wayne Static In Bristol, UK [Review & Photo Gallery]

The original Static-X line-up from the 1999 platinum-selling debut full-length album, Wisconsin Death Trip – bassist Tony Campos, guitarist Koichi Fukuda and drummer Ken Jay – have completed their seventh studio album, entitled ‘Project Regeneration’ which is set to release sometime in November. The album will feature 12 brand new Static-X tracks and contains several vocal performances and musical compositions by the late great Wayne Static who passed away on November 1, 2014. The band has been touring with a masked singer who is using the name Xero. In addition to wearing a mask the mysterious vocalist is also dressed as Wayne Static featuring his signature spiked up hair and his long braided beard. The identity of the singer has not be unveiled and the band states they are trying to honor their late fallen singer Wayne. Since the bands first single was unveiled some fans believe that the singer is none other than Dope vocalist Edsel Dope and ironically Dope has been on both legs of the tour as a support act with Static-X.  One other thing to notice is that the order in which the bands perform. I would think Dope would normally be direct support for Static-X, however they have Soil as direct support and Dope playing before them. This would allow Edsel time to rest between the two bands sets. However, this is just an assumption other fans and I myself have, the singer could be a singer we all are familiar with or it could be someone completely unheard of. It’s not known yet whether or not they will ever identify their touring vocalist. It doesn’t matter to us who is behind the mask, we are just thankful to be hearing Static X again and honor the legacy that Wayne Static left behind. This UK/Euro tour includes support from Dope, Soil, and Wednesday 13, probably one of the best tours you will find this fall. Continue reading

BLACK STAR RIDERS First Show In Over A Year Impresses UK Fans! [Review & Photo Gallery]

Black Star Riders are a band that everyone needs to see. The band still boasts a legendary lineup even after the departure of celebrated lead guitarist Damon Johnson last year. Black Star Riders began when members of the most recent line-up of Thin Lizzy decided to record new material, but chose not to release it under the Thin Lizzy name. Ricky Warwick as well as Scott Gorham helped found the band and both are formerly of Thin Lizzy. Drummer Chad Szeliga is well versed in the rock/metal world and has had stints in Breaking Benjamin as well as Black Label Society. Upon Damon Johnson’s departure last year he was replaced by guitarist Christian Martucci who is also the guitarist in Stone Sour. Robbie Crane is also a member of front man Ricky Warwick’s band The Fighting Hearts and also previously performed with 80’s iconic band Ratt. You can easily see this band is made up of some of the most talented veterans in music. Seeing them perform is like watching an all star team. We were lucky enough for them to grace the stage at the Bristol o2 along with support from Wayward Sons which boasts vocalist Toby Jepson who rocked in the popular 90’s band Little Angels. Direst support comes from Stone Broken the hard rocking 4 piece from right here in the UK.  Continue reading

SKUNK ANANSIE And QUEEN ZEE Shakes Up Bristol [Review & Photo Gallery]

The opening act for Skunk Anansie were Liverpool-based rock band Queen Zee who came out to a three-quarters full venue. Looking sharp, their whole image worked well. As I’ve said before, I like to see a band look like a band, and these guys ticked that box. Vocalist and guitarist, Zena “Queen Zee” Davine, was an absolute nutter on stage – full of energy that didn’t wear out for the whole show, rocking a black string vest, and just going for it! Continue reading

PUDDLE OF MUDD & THE VIGIL Rock The Stage In Bristol, UK [Review & Photo Gallery]

This may make you feel old but, Puddle of Mudd has been around almost 30 years now. Though they have been around for nearly three decades, the band still has fans gathering to see them. Over the past year or so, they’ve put the drama behind them to really move forward into what looks like a sober era for the band. Tonight they were being supported by The Vigil, and fans at the O2 Academy Bristol were more than ready to get a dose of rock n’ roll.

With riffs and tunes having elements of early Smashing Pumpkins and Nirvana (and I would say heavily influenced by Nirvana), all in all The Vigil churned out a no-nonsense set of grunge rock tunes. I’m not sure if they are used to venues of this size, as their stage presence wasn’t looking too relaxed. But even so, they played tune after tune, with hardly any talking in between, while getting a good cheer from the audience. Vocalist, Olly Smith did jokingly say thanks to the “three people” that turned up to watch them, but – hey, come on, there was a lot more than that.

To round things up: they have all the skills to be good, but just need a slight polish up in certain areas, and they will be set. It’s also hard for vocalists who play guitar to give it a lot of energy as they are stuck to the microphone, but when they had time to move away, they could have been a bit more energetic is all.

The downstairs of the venue finally filled up to near capacity when Puddle of Mudd were ready to grace the stage. With over five million sales of their 2001 debut album ‘Come Clean,’ and with a string of hits like “Control,” “She Hates Me,” and “Blurry,” it was time for vocalist, Wes Scantlin, and band to hit the stage. Lights dimmed and the band walked out to a very loud welcome from this UK crowd.

The band went straight in with the first track “Control” – a superb opener. As soon as the vocals come in, if you were around in the year 2000, you will know it straight away. It’s one hell of a catchy song and had the crowd punching the air along to it and joining in with the lyrics, especially when singing “I love the way you look at me / I love the way you smack my ass / I love the dirty things you do.”

Wes briefly mentioned how jet lagged they all were, as this was the first date in the UK. But to be honest, you would not have known as they played a blinding set full of all the old favourites. I read a review back along saying they were totally off their game and not sounding that good. Well I’m sure they read it because tonight – based on my ears and the crowd’s reaction – they played amazing, with perfectly mixed sound and with the drums punching you through the chest with every beat. I also want to mention how good Wes looked, as he didn’t look at all different from the old videos from over 10 years ago.

They also played a cover of “TNT” by AC/DC, which they recorded for their 2011 cover album ‘Re:(disc)covered.’ It went down like a storm with the audience who was punching the air and shouting, “Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey!” along to the beat of the bass drum. They finally played “Blurry,” and yeah, they got a loud cheer for this beast of a song. I would like to add that I’ve been humming and whistling it since this night – damn you, Puddle of Mudd!

They played “She Hates Me” straight after, which is another great song that got them a lot of airplay. They had one more tune up their sleeve, which is off the new album, due for release this September, 13th. I would say I’m not sure on this, but maybe its a grower. Either way, I’m sure the album will have the odd, decent hit on it due to their writing ability.

Next up should be Skunk Anansie for me, so stay tuned. It’s a sold-out show for Skin, Ace and crew. Until then, Metal Nexus readers…

Howard Jones On Listening To Hip Hop “It’s A Way To Get Away From Heavier Music For A Little While”

Light The Torch

 

In 2012 left Killswitch Engage to gain control of his diabetes, which had been hard to control while on tour. There wasn’t much time off for him as he almost immediately formed Devil You Know. The original lineup of the band was Howard on vocals, Francesco Artusato (All Shall Perish, Hiss of Atrocities) – guitars, Ryan Wombacher  (Bleeding Through)– bass, backing vocals, Roy Lev-Ari (Hiss of Atrocities) – guitars and John Sankey (Divine Heresy, Fear Factory)– drums. Since then Roy Lev-Ari and John Sankey have left the band. The current drummer of the band is Mike Sciulara (Extinction A.D.). I was fortunate enough to see the band a couple times while on tour with Coal Chamber and on stage they put on an amazing show. Devil You Know released two albums ‘The Beauty of Destruction’ (2014) and ‘They Bleed Red’  (2015). Then on July 26, 2017, the band announced via social media that they have changed their name to Light the Torch. The band in a way wanted a fresh start, and I believe the name has a better ring to it. The band is now set to release their debut under the name Light The Torch with ‘Revival’ which released on March 30, 2018. Continue reading

PAPA ROACH Announce UK Headline Tour With NOTHING MORE!

 

After the release of their new album ‘Who Do You Trust?’ on January 18, 2019 Papa Roach is preparing to bring their hard rocking sound to the UK. The band stated “We are really excited to go deep in the UK and double the number of cities we played last year,” and continued “We have the opportunity to visit places we’ve wanted to go to for a while like Edinburgh and Aberdeen as well as Exeter and Southampton and it will be more convenient for fans to travel to us this time. Reading & Leeds Festivals were off the chain and now we get to play for longer. The Monday – Thursday shows will finish at 10:30 pm to make sure our fans can catch their ride home.” Of course Papa Roach aren’t embarking on this tour along and will bring their headline worthy friends Nothing More. We were recently able to catch Papa Roach on tour in the U.S. along with Shinedown and Asking Alexandria, and if that show is any indication the UK is in store for a hard hitting show and as always you can expect vocalist Jacoby to make his way down into the crowd. You can read the entire review of that U.S. show here. Continue reading

FLOGGING MOLLY Rocks Bristol With THE BRONX & FACE TO FACE [Review & Photo Gallery]

Flogging Molly

I walked into the o2 and was greeted by a few members of the Fireball promo team who offered me a free shot of whisky so ok maybe I grabbed a couple, but I had never tried it before and was pleasantly surprised how nice it was. So marketing does work as I’m buying a bottle for Xmas now. Continue reading

Never Say Die! Tour: Northlane, Currents, Alazka & Polar [Review & Photo Gallery]

Northlane

Well, here it is again – the Never Say Die! Tour. it’s a metalcore festival which tours European cities every autumn. It’s officially named ‘Impericon NSD,’ after the retail store Impericon who also organize another tour called Impericon Festival every spring. The NSD tour started in 2008 and since then have seen the likes of Parkway Drive, Unearth, Architecs, Protest the Hero, and many others. And this year’s tour with Northlane headlining is set to be a beauty. Continue reading