Hell Above, Blackout, Hekz, The Delinquents Esquires, 5th February 2006
Reviewed by Martin Stapleton
The best gig so far this year at Esquires sees not so much ‘One for the Underground’ - more ‘One for the Kids!’ This was a special 14+ show which was well supported by around 130 music fans of all ages.
There are certain music purists who look down at this sort of thing. ‘Kids music’ they sneer before they go and check out Coldplay or Keane or some other ‘proper’ or ‘serious’ act. These people seem to forget that ‘the kids’ is what this Rock’n’Roll thing is all about. Metal and Punk, for all it’s many faults – it’s dodgy haircuts and seemingly inherent immaturity, can fire up the youngsters like no other.
This afternoon three bands familiar to us here are joined by an extremely young metal band from Milton Keynes. They burst onto our radar at the recent ‘Bedford Metal’ bands competition where they literally blew everybody away with both their music and their stage show. My friends, this band are called Hekz and you will be seeing and hearing from them a lot this year. Today Hekz do the same amazing set here.
Hekz followed The Delinquents, a young local three piece punk outfit who improve each and every time they perform here. Their set is always frantic and to the point and with their drummers amazing hairstyle their contribution to the show today was well received.
Blackout had the unenviable task of following Hekz but the boys did what they always do, giving the crowd a professional and powerful performance. They drape the venue in a coat of noise, allowing not a moment of silence to escape. This is a band who know where they are going and with excellent self-promotion lets hope they get that little bit of luck to succeed.
Hell Above end the gig like a portcullis lowering down to block the entrance to total sanity. They expurgate melody and they pound us into the ground like a demented labourer with a new Kango (??? - Ed).
What an afternoon and credit due to the bands and fans alike. Special mention must once again go to promoter Paul Craven who put the whole thing together.