Ravenous: We Are Become Death.

For this post I have chosen a band local to where I live. Supporting the local scene and lesser known bands is important for the future of metal music and I’m going to do my part!

Ravenous are a four piece thrash and groove metal band, formed in Southampton in 2008 when they started playing covers of metal and thrash tunes with only one track of their own, Ravenous. Most likely to be found playing around the south of England, they are steadily gaining in followers and fans which will hopefully project them further afield. They recently supported Voodoo Six who are currently touring with Iron Maiden and took part in Metal 2 the Masses, for a chance to win a place at the mighty Bloodstock Festival.

Their debut album, We Are Become Death was released February 16^th via Coffee Jingle Records and is a progressive and energetic onslaught of masterful riffs and powerful vocals. It can be very easy in thrash albums for tracks to start sounding the same but with Ravenous each song demands the attention of the listener. The track Deathstiny will appeal to old school heavy metallers, with a Pantera-esque sound coming from lead guitar, while Alone is for those who prefer softer vocals and melodies but without losing impact and energy. It also acts to provide a refreshing break from the rest of the album that tries to melt your brain.  While the vocals do at times sound remarkably similar to James Hetfield, they have their own unique sound and draw on more genres than just groove metal and thrash and seamlessly do so.

When I was first sent We Are Become Death I wasn’t enthusiastic to listen, I am not a self-professed lover of the thrash genre, and I expected it to be the same as everything I’d heard before. I will gladly eat my hat! Next time they play The Joiners, I will be there and I whole heartedly encourage you all to come along.

Ravenous are:

David Game - Lead Guitar/Vocals
Leon Maidment Millar - Bass
Rich Giles - Drums
Adam Robbins - Rhythm Guitar

Video for Easter Island (We Are Become Death): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SmuHRwNGqg&feature=youtu.be

What Now at The Black Heart, June 1st 2013.

What Now are a London based rock band made up of Adam Jenkins on drums, Tyron Layley on bass/vocals and Ryan 'Eyeliner Boy' Morris on guitar/vocal. Their album Move Like A Sinner was released earlier this year by Hey & Argh Records. 

Setlist

Money Maker

If Looks Could Kill

High Class

I Want My Blood

Jackson

Move Like A Sinner

Should've Said So

Lovers & Liars

Hailing originally from Dolphin Coast, South Africa, What Now are a three piece rock band who followed their passion and love for music by moving thousands of miles away from their friends and families to London, giving up a life filled with sunshine, sea and surf in order to pursue their dreams of making it in the music industry. After a brief hiatus they rejoin each other in 2009 and began

They were the third band of the day on at The Black Heart for the Camden Rocks Festival and truth be told I'd not really listened to them before. I'd found them on facebook, listened to the track If Looks Could Kill from their band page and decided that I'd see them over the other 11 bands playing at that time as their blend of what appeared to be electro rock was very catchy and even made me want to start dancing. 

The first thing that struck me as different was that the bassist was also the singer, in part mind you as Ryan does his fair share too with both having equally strong voices as each other. Both Ryan and Tyron's vocals work in perfect unison with each other, but at the same time one of them covers the high notes and one the low providing greater range and variety to their songs. There is something about Tyron's voice that seems to linger with the listener though, so it came as no surprise to me that he was the predominate voice on Move Like A Sinner, their latest and by far sexiest song they have released to date. 

One thing that was missing from the performance however, that I would have liked to have heard was the keyboard. Probably not included as it was a small stage and quick turnaround between bands was essential for the festival to stay on target. However, the use of the keyboard was what had given them the electro rock sound I'd been attracted to, it was the element that gave them an edge over the other acts, without it they sounded like a heavier version of The Subways. (After originally writing this I discovered they are opening for The Subways in Poland!)

Overall it was a successful show, it was still only three in the afternoon so the crowd was not as large as it could have been with about 30-40 people gathered but What Now gave it their all. Adam especially seemed to be throwing out enthusiasm with his heavy beats, what the sticks looked like afterwards I can only imagine! As with any band playing earlier in the day, they had 30 minutes in which to shine but they managed to squash in 8 tracks and I'd happily see them again to hear more.  

HOAX at Camden Rock, June 1st 2013.

HOAX are a five piece rock band from London, founded in 2013 and made up of Adam on vocals, Dan and Doug on guitars, Joe on Bass and Jonny on drums.

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1pm on a Saturday afternoon in Camden and the activity was mostly the usual; the hustle and bustle of tourists and traders, the aroma of exotic dishes and the sounds of buskers plying their trade and those that were not out shopping on what was a beautiful sunny afternoon were probably at home recovering from the night before. However, a small handful of people had gathered at the Camden Rock bar on Kentish Town Road for the first band of the day at the Camden Rocks Festival 2013 where 13 live venues are taken over by 100 bands for the day. 

I had already listened to HOAX previously, because with twelve bands all starting at the same time I wanted to ensure I picked a good one to kick start my day. Although when I saw how sparse the room was I became apprehensive, not because I doubted they were any good but in case they were discouraged or put off by the low turn out. This was on top of the fact they had just come over from Ireland, after supporting The Cancer Bats. It did feel very awkward especially as where I was sat meant I couldn't see anyone other than the band, and if I was in their position I'm not sure I could have performed to my best ability. 

There were other people there, they just happened to be behind me.

I am happy to say that I have never been more wrong. From the very first bar of Burn It To The Ground they owned the room with a sound and enthusiasm that was unrelenting. Adam quite literally claimed Camden Rock as his own, abandoning the stage and energetically bouncing around the room. It was wonderful to not only see them give it their all but to embrace the people who had made the effort to turn up so early in the day, giving high fives, dancing with them (more like dancing AT them because it took the audience by surprise!) and taking the time to talk. Some slight stage destroying did occur with various pieces of equipment falling, but that was just testament to their passion opposed to being 'rock and roll.'

As they were the starting act they didn't have as much time as I would have liked them to have, but they played six tracks including their latest single Bitter Angry Fake, which in my opinion could have woken the dead! The track slows halfway through and you're given the chance to hear a softer side with gentle vocals and some heartfelt guitar solos before the tempo is turned back up again for a hard hitting finish. If up until then anyone in the audience had not been fully placed in the festival mood, they should have been after that.

HOAX won't be to everyone's liking because they do have aspects of metalcore, although you cannot fault them for effort and the fact that each member can be distinctly heard. Many times I have seen bands where the bass cannot be heard or the drums drown out...everything, but that didn't happen here. I wish that more people had of been there but at the same time I'm selfishly glad I got to experience such an intimate gig, something I doubt will occur again as the boys are taking on Download 2013 next which I'm sure will lead to more recognition for them and bigger and better shows.

Setlist

Burn It To The Ground
High
Hold On
Jekyll Meet Hyde
Bitter Angry Fake
Mindgame

For more information on HOAX you can find them on facebook or go to their official page: http://hoaxofficial.tumblr.com/