Raging Speedhorn, Burning Skies, Aortic Dissection, Slave to Nature - 4th May 2007
Reviewed by Martin Stapleton
Sadly, once again Bedford's young Rock and Metal followers failed to materialise for two of the country's leading exponents of Metal-Core, namely Raging Speedhorn and Burning Skies.
For Corby's Raging Speedhorn, it's a long awaited return to Esquires, as it was on the 20th January 2001 that they last played here. However, only two of that line up now remain from that sextet, the drummer and most notably vocalist John Loughlin - a colossal man mountain with a rugby prop frame, coupled with demonic bulging eyes and a booming voice that's even meaner than he looks. He's quite an imposing figure.
After early success which included Kerrang nominations and gigs with Rammstein and Amen amongst others, these past years have seen a marked decline in their fortunes and although tonight they come second best to Burning Skies, Speedhorn's performance is still pretty amazing and a renaissance in their career could still be on the horizon. Tonight they still follow the 'horn ethos to make some very large noise while having a laugh in the meantime. Songs from their forthcoming album (which is due in the Autumn) are showcased and on this performance it will be an interesting release.
Bristol's Burning Skies are a band I have been eagerly anticipating these past few weeks and tonight they do not disappoint. A barrage of sound from first to last. After bursting onto the metal core scene in 2004 with the outstanding debut album 'Murder by Means of Existence', its taken them a further three to follow it up with 'Desolation'. The natural frustrations which have built up exploded in their live performance tonight. It culminates with one of the most dynamic aural and visual metal displays seen here this year.
One for the Underground prides itself in trying to obtain the best alternative sounds around and Burning Skies in their half an hour slot kept the Hatebreed and Lamb of God fans more than happy. Opener 'RKD' is an almost musical electric shock to the system which incorporates almost Death Metal overtones, while 'Caught in the Circle' from the new album has hammerjack riffs that piledrive and vibrate the brain cells. Burning Skies dedicate 'Fairytale Supremacy' to their mates the 'horn while 'Bauer Power' translates for us Bedfordians as 'Firepower for Bristol'. Although the crowd is disappointing there is some amusing and good natured banter with some West Country "Ooh-Ahhs" directed at the band and taken in good spirit by them. Final song 'Damaged' very aptly summed up the state of our ear-drums after Burning Skies had finished with us.
Young support bands Slave to Nature and Aortic Dissection also featured but tonight belonged to the two touring bands.