Wolfie Charity Gig – Scruffy Murphy's – Saturday November 21st 2009
Raffles galore, money raised for the Children's Hospital and a night of heavy metal mayhem – what more could you want? The assembled mass was a who's who of the Midlands' metal scene, with the night being started by....
Nocturnal Resurrection. A band I've seen a lot recently, regrettably the quiet mix they were given didn't do them any favours. A thrash/death metal outfit needs volume to create a wall of sound. Enough said. They did nothing wrong and were technically adept without ever being truly convincing. I know what they are capable of and they were restricted by the PA tonight. Devolution magazine donated the first prizes of the night and a suitably appreciative winner walked off happy with their loot. Setlist; “Dead Don't Know They're Dead”, “Surgical Deviant”, “Survive The Mutation”, “Cease To Exist”, “Blood Of The Kill”, “Dead Or Undead”.
Submerged dedicated their set to Wolfie and played a tight enough set of female fronted power metal. Jess led the band well, her vocals struck me as a cross between Cristina Scabbia and Dolores O'Riordan in style and tone. Their beefed up rock version of The Moody Blues' “Nights In White Satin” was the highlight of their set for me. Kate's Clothing and Dean from Hellfire Festival donated prizes to the raffle that ensued.
Musta Talvi delivered their best performance for a considerable while. Andy's new vocal techniques worked well and the new rhythm section settled comfortably into the ranks. Watching their performance “backstage” at Scruffy's whilst chatting to Anaal Nathrakh's Dave Hunt was surreal to put it mildly. A promising display, which started with two new untitled songs, from a band who could well deliver the goods that their potential suggests. Terrorizer magazine donated a bundle of goodies that received a welcome whoop from the excited winner. Setlist; “New Song 1”, “New Song 2”, “When The Cleansing Fire Reigns”, “Twilight Vengeance”, “Forced To Survive In Shadows”.
Serious business out of the way, the night then added a sizeable twist of humour, started by....
Danowar. Manowar tribute act complete with furs/loin cloths and handlebar moustaches. Scary but compelling... Great showmen, prepared to send themselves up for the cause – what more can you say? Made me realise how out of touch with Manowar's recent back catalogue I've become too... The drummer bludgeoning his kit with a thigh bone was a nice touch, stand out tracks were “All Men Play On 10” and set closer “Blood Of My Enemies”. Think Anvil on acid and you'll get the drift... Terrorizer again provided the raffle prizes for the draw that followed.
NoG bookended their set with originals - “Thrash Point” and “NoG 5” - but the majority of their set was “thrashaoke” as a succession of guest singers took on the main vocal duties. Consummate as their performance was musically the main focus was on fun and they provided this in abundance. Jamie screamed his way through a brutal version of Metallica's “Blackened” before Duncan from Fukpig fronted a riotous cover of Slayer's “Hallowed Point”.
A Stavros Flatley wig-wearing guest screamed out Sepultura's “Arise” before the Rev D, from H.O.D., had a bout of amnesia (or was the alcohol kicking in?) during Megadeth's “Good Mourning... Black Friday”. Finally Anna ex Jazz Thrash Assassins fronted a punishing version of At The Gates' “Slaughter Of The Soul”. Meltdown Records and Metal Hammer provided the goodies for the ensuing raffle.
Hospital Of Death were celebrating break-even on sales of their new (self released) album. Considering they'd been hitting the bar with gusto they played a startlingly tight set. Overall sound quality wasn't great – the vocals were way too low and the bass way too high – but they again proved that there are few (if any) bands that can match their party thrash credentials.
Songs from both albums were evident, with “The King Of Sweden” getting its first live play. They too played a cover or two, Megadeth's “Skin O' My Teeth” during the main set, and S.O.D's “Milk” for the first encore. Despite the sound issues they triumphed once more and rounded the night off well. As all hell was breaking loose I didn't catch the sponsor for the main prize, but the pair of tickets to Hard Rock Hell III were gratefully received. Setlist; “Down That Hatch”, “Deadly Wheels Of Steel”, “Enter Titanus”, “Hogs Of War”, “The King Of Sweden”, “Two Glass Eyez”, “Skin O' My Teeth”, “Kicked To The Kerb”, “Going Apeshit”, “White The Lightning”. Encores: “”Milk”, “Eyezabeams Of Osiris”, “I Am A Tiger”.
To all involved in providing raffle prizes or organising the gig you did Wolfie proud. It seemed somewhat sanctimonious and po-faced to write this review but hopefully it gives you an idea of the alcoholic carnage and fun had by all. Here's to next year's gig although how this one can be topped remains to be seen....
