Slave to Nature + Abadden + Speedshot + Side of the Sky - 14th February 2009
Reviewed by Martin Stapleton
It may have been St Valentine's day, but for the luvved up metal youngsters who turned up for tonight's Bedford Alternative Music gig, it was tinged with a fair degree of sadness. The venue said goodbye to the young headbanging quartet Slave To Nature. Since they formed, back in August 2005, they have constantly been prime movers behind the Bedford Metal banner. Indeed, I recall them opening the inaugural Bed-Rock festival in June 2006. Although I have never been one of their biggest fans, their endeavour, commitment and a sheer sense of enjoyment has always been evident. On this, their final gig, it's "In the darkness" that fully encapsulates this spirit. Well done lads and good luck and wishes in your future projects.
By some way, Dunstable quartet Abadden are, without doubt, the meanest, heaviest and most aggressive band on show this evening. Punishingly cruel on my eardrums, and a vocalist whose sheer power is the driving force which just about holds together their ever changing pace and texture of their songs. "Into the dark", complete with it's satanic command of "oi, oi, oi", demonstrates that this is not a band that you can accuse of being slightly overwrought or painfully studious. It's passion with a capital P and hulk sized riffs to match. Charisma and a controlled swaggering confidence are deeply embedded in, what I feel is, their lyrical dystopian world. These huge metallic overtures are all delivered with such brutal bludgeoning effect.
Originally when this gig was being conceived, it was to be HeKz's end of tour finale. Unfortunately a serious injury to their drummer meant that the tour was cut short. However, you can't keep a 'young man' down, and so guitarist Danny appeared tonight with his side project called Speedshot. Teaming up with guitarist Burkey and Mich (on drums), who tonight was unavailable, but seamlessly replaced by the ever versatile Robbie Miller. Speedshot are self-described as a "Jack Daniels fuelled rock 'n' roll machine!", which judging by the opening "Bar brawl blues" is a fair assessment. Their instrumental tapestries of the following "Moonshine mama" are worth noting as, following a heavy bass intro, the song is further enhanced by an elongated jamming segment courtesy of the hirsute guitarists. "Let's have a singalong!" shouts Danny, although I felt that should apply more to the closing Speedshot anthem "Snakebite", which is as potent as the brew of the same name!
Also because of unavailability, youngsters Side Of The Sky are reduced to an acoustic duo in which to open the show. They wax lyrical for a short set of which "How you remind me" is the most pleasingly succinct.