Steel Panther Rock! If it was the ONLY thing they could do properly it would be this. 
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Testament, Malefice and Xerath

Hailed as ‘arguably one of the most popular American thrash groups of all time’, seasoned fireball Testament have plenty of hell-raising on their hands.

After the release of tenth studio album ‘Dark Roots of Earth’, they’re hitting the capital with a vengeance tonight – the first time I’ll have witnessed them since they annihilated Bloodstock Open Air back in August!

London fans have been waiting in anticipation for weeks, and judging by ticket-holders shivering in masses outside, it looks set to be a veteran guest-list: Kreator tees, thrash cuts and thinning barnets confirming Testament’s unwavering fan-base who, you can bet your life, queued with as much fervour in ’89 as they do in 2012.
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7th November 2012

Much like fellow symphonic metallers Nightwish, Xandria have faced front-woman dramas in recent years, the product of which is latest album Neverworld’s End and a switch to a more operatic style, which is hard to miss!

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Whether you think of Sabaton as pioneers of modern power metal or a bunch of self-confessed ‘Village People in combats’, the fact is, they’re bloody good fun. Flying high with 2012′s Carolus Rex after a renowned post-recording line-up change, the belligerent Swedes are hitting the HMV Forum tonight in force – and from what I’ve heard, in FLAMES…
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Reckless Love @ Barfly, London

Reckless Love have enjoyed quite a bit of success on these shores recently, after performing to a packed tent at Download and very nearly stealing the show on their run supporting Black Veil Brides. No doubt helped by the meteoric rise of fellow glam-metal group Steel Panther, although they are a lot more serious and less of a gimmick, Reckless Love have easily appealed to the same audience and snowballed in popularity.

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The day couldn’t have been any more miserable, freezing cold and raining, not to mention that it’s a Sunday night and transport was non-existent! But that was not going to dampen my mood, as I was on my way to a gig I had been waiting for, for a long time! I finally get to see Evile live!

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2012 marks fourteen years since Lacuna Coil released their EP and first album, In a Reverie, and they have decided to celebrate that history by bringing a set spanning some two hours to London.

There should be something for all fans tonight as they will be playing something from every album. 
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Despite not knowing all the bands playing tonight, I really couldn’t wait for tonight’s line-up, especially tonight’s headliners Decapitated!

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I Am I, Arthemis and Fahran

@ Borderline, London

22nd October 2012

Review by Alan Hicks

Photography by Sabrina Dersel

The Borderline, tucked away nicely around the corner from the Crobar always gives the feeling of intimacy.

This may sound blindingly obvious considering the size of the place (under 300 capacity) but this intimacy adds an almost showcase feel to proceedings, as if you are witnessing something special, like a one-off performance from a band usually more accustomed to playing larger venues or an act who after these tentative steps will play somewhere a whole lot bigger.

I Am I are somewhere between the two slightly helped by the presence of ex-Dragonforce singer ZP Theart in the ranks.

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Review by Jesel Gohil

Despite being at The Underworld only 3 days before and but a few cobwebs in my wallet, missing a rare UK performance from Bethlehem wasn’t on my to do list. After the obligatory trip to The Worlds End next door and talking to some guy quite proud of his collection of Cradle of Filth demo cassettes and Darkthrone photo negatives from the graves of the 80s it was time to catch the opening band.

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If you’re a miserable human being, don’t go to see Ensiferum!

I worked that out during the 2011 Ugly World Tour, on which they were joined by fellow Scandinavians Amon Amarth and Children of Bodom, and tonight, I couldn’t wait to see if Ensiferum would slay the crowd again – this time, in leading role!
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Tristania have taken a break from writing the follow up album to ‘Rubicon’ to go on a Norwegian Arts Council sponsored whistle-stop 14 date, 7 country European tour and we caught up with them on their only UK date, at Camden’s Underworld.
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Pythia, Mortad & L Sol Tace

@ The Borderline, London.

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Gojira @ 02 Islington Academy

27th June 2012

Tonight is a night full of anticipation, due to the headliners, Gojira having released a latest offering “l’enfant sauvage” (Wild child in English), which is a fresh from the press slab of genius; tonight’s focus is on the new selection of ear candy treats from both bands!

With support to night from the home grown, quintet The Safety fire, who’s Album “Grind the Ocean” came out earlier in the year. Set to be a night of new materials from both bands all delivered to us in the modest 02 Islington academy, the headliners are a band no stranger to intimate shows, this is set to be a delight for all the senses.

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COVAN WAKE THE FUCK UP!

COVAN WAKE THE FUCK UP is a series of benefit concerts featuring the legendary polish band Decapitated who reformed after their tragic road accident, due to negligence during a post accident operation; Adrian "Covan" Kowanek went into a cardiac arrest and cerebral hypoxia.

But now there’s hope for Covan to regain some quality of life with a ground breaking new surgery utilising stem cells transplantation at a clinic in Koln, Germany.

For this to take place, the aim of tonight’s gig is to raise as much money as possible for his cause.
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