“Your world is coming to its end, but you don’t have to be afraid”…never before have these lyrics been as poignant but sadly, we ironically find ourselves in joy and sorrow as HIM…Finland’s finest romantic rockers, are bidding us farewell, calling time on their 20+ year career. Yes back in March, the news was dropped by Daniel. P. Carter on the Radio 1 Rock Show that HIM were embarking on a farewell tour, after announcing that 2017 would see the band play their final shows and go their separate ways, breaking countless hearts around the world…with the departure of drummer Gas after the last album “Tears On Tape” things were just never the same and despite having Jukka take over behind the kit, new material simply wasn’t working…the spark had gone and it was time to say goodbye. With the UK only getting 5 dates on the “Bang And Whimper” farewell tour, I was lucky enough to see them one last time at Nottingham Rock City…and I should have taken tissues.

Any HIM gig starts early in the morning and today was certainly no exception…even though we’re in the middle of December, there were people queuing at the venue from 8am, camped out with blankets, highlighting the dedication and commitment HIM’s fans truly have…but by the time doors were opened, this sold out show had a line of fans literally streets long…never mind meters, you could measure the queue in postcodes! As the crowd inside started to grow and settle in and while the bar was all hands on deck, we were warmed up by tonight’s only support act, BITERS [7] from Atlanta, Georgia. The four-piece strutted their stuff on stage like seasoned veterans and their style echoed the same sentiments…inspired by the hey-days of rock ‘n’ roll, taking elements from the likes of T-REX and the NEW YORK DOLLS they took the crowd on a semi-nostalgic journey back into the 70’s, the denim and leather, the long hair, the rock star swagger and the tunes to back it all up…tracks such as “Gypsy Rose” with its clap-along charm and the simplistic merriment of “Stone Cold Love” allowing front man Tuk to channel his inner Marc Bolan…while “1975” exudes a true sense of heritage, harking back to a time when rock ‘n’ roll was fresh and captivating, and it’s still not gone out of style today. Their set may have been brief but with the time they had they won over tonight’s crowd and it got the gig off to a great start.

Now, in this situation, normally we’d be excited knowing HIM [8] were about to make their grand entrance but tonight, we know it’s also their swansong…this really is the beginning of the end as it’s the final time we get to witness Ville Valo and co work their magic on stage, and the excitement is mixed with a sense of sadness. Simply knowing that once tonight is over, they will be but a cherished memory and it genuinely is heart breaking for many, many fans. Luckily however, HIM have a back catalogue of hits that can turn any frown upside down and they waste little time getting going, opening up with “Buried Alive By Love”. Mige’s pummelling bass and Valo’s powerful vocals breathe life into an already swelling crowd and the energy in Rock City tonight is incredible. Every word is sung back by each and every person in the room and you can feel the love and appreciation everyone has for the band, and as they plough through fan favourites like “Heartache Every Moment” and “Wings Of A Butterfly” it really does send chills down your spine. Each of their eight albums are represented in some way with inclusions of “Kiss Of Dawn” and “Heartkiller”…and we’re even treated to a rare inclusion of “Sigillum Diaboli” to rapturous applause…but as the set draws to a close, the realisation of what’s transpiring hits home and when Ville humbly says his thanks for the love and support over the years, and as they slide into “Funeral Of Hearts” there are plenty of mixed emotions. The beauty of the moment, the sadness of the occasion and feelings of both togetherness and loss, there’s barely a dry eye in the room as HIM don't really have fans, no, they’re more like family and it feels like we’re saying goodbye to a loved one. Then, after closing with an encore of BILLY IDOL hit “Rebel Yell” and a painfully apropos rendition of “When Love And Death Embrace”, the Finns leave not only the stage, but a gaping hole in our hearts. HIM were one of a kind and their iconic Heartagram, whether tattooed on the skin of fans worldwide, or emblazoned on proudly worn t-shirts, will forever be a reminder, a symbol of happiness and positivity, as Ville, Mige, Linde, Burton, Gas and later Jukka, touched each and every one of us with their music. As a band HIM were too often underrated but tonight, everyone in attendance knows the world just lost something truly special. There really is no love without tears and tonight really does prove we will always love HIM. Kiitos ja jäähyväiset, ystäväni ...

Notable by its absence last year, MERTHYR ROCK returns to the grounds of Cyfarthfa Park in style for 2014 with a new look, new organiser and a new lease of life. It’s been stripped back from a three day event to just the one day, but if anything, it’s done nothing but benefit the festival greatly. The line-up this year was the best it’s ever been, with not only British bands being booked, but massive bands from across the pond in the USA too. Here’s what went down…

It’s 3pm, the gates have been open an hour, and the first act of the day are about to hit the main stage and open proceedings, it’s a band you’ll be familiar with; CLEAR THE AUDITORIUM [6]. The young Welsh electronic-rock 4-piece won the Young Promoters Network battle of the bands and as a result, got to kick off the festival. The boys were as charismatic as ever, playing through tracks such as “Outbreak”, “Eye For An Eye” and “We Are The Danger”, but it was clear that performing on a stage of that size was new to them and you didn't quite get the full CTA experience. Performing at this level however will come naturally to them sooner rather than later, and this was a promising start both for the festival, and the band.

Second band, second stage, and we’re treated to one of the highlight sets of the day very early on in the form of COLT 45 [8]. The Cumbrian based 3-piece delivered a stunning set of RISE AGAINST inspired punk-rock from their albums “Coughing Up Confessions” and the more recent “The Tide Is Turning”, and really it’s all over far too soon. Brilliant display and the bar is set high already.

REAPER IN SICILY [6] are no strangers to Merthyr Rock and this year they’re back performing in the YPN Up-And-Coming tent. As predicted they put on a great performance churning out the crowd pleaser's, and it’s also worth noting that their new members Mitch Ponting (guitar) and Sean Ruck (drums) have effortlessly slotted into their respective roles, but the tent itself IS small and really doesn't quite suit the bands energy. They worked well with what they had at their disposal, with their brand new single getting a great reception, things no doubt looking good for the future.

Nantwich’s BLITZ KIDS [7] hit the main stage at 5pm and prove why they’re one of the biggest rising UK bands on the scene right now, off the back of their hit album “The Good Youth”. Songs like “Run For Cover” and “Sold My Soul” going down well with the afternoons entertainment now in full swing.

LOSTALONE [6] were up shortly after on the second stage, and with a live set said to be “must see”, expectations were high for the Derby based trio. They performed well but didn't quite manage to have a complete grasp of the crowd; possibly down to a lot of people were there to watch a new band, as opposed to being actual fans, who knows... 

Next up we’re treated to the set of the day, courtesy of ANTI-FLAG [9]. The Pennsylvanian punks delivered on all fronts and had the crowd begging for more. With a back catalogue spanning twenty years they pleased fans of all ages and even started up the first proper circle pits of the day. This was straight up, high-octane punk rock at its finest and it laid waste to Merthyr Rock.

Keeping in tune with American punk rock, we take it down a peg or two now for REEL BIG FISH [8] who bring the trumpets and the fun by the bucket load. Their ska-infused style of up-beat pop-punk had the crowd singing and dancing and kept spirits high into the early evening, ensuring summer was still in full swing, especially with hits such as “Monkey Man” and a brilliant cover of A-HA’s “Take On Me”.

THE BLACKOUT [9] never fail to disappoint, and close the second stage with a bang. Being home-town heroes, they get a great crowd and lap up the opportunity to play such a big show in what’s essentially their back yard. Playing tracks from “Hope” and “The Best In Town”, plus with probably the best banter of the day courtesy of front-man Sean Smith, it’s impossible not to enjoy their set and we look forward to their next tour in October.

Finally then, it’s time to close the festival and at 9pm, the head liners, TAKING BACK SUNDAY [6] grace the stage amidst a colourful light display to break up the night sky. They perform well, opening up with recent hit single “Stood A Chance” off the acclaimed album “Happiness Is”, and fleet back and forth their back catalogue playing some crowd favourites, however given some of the performances we've seen today, it’s somewhat of an anti-climax and the whole set can’t help but appear just a bit mellow for a headline act, but they still had some great sing-along's.

All in all, Merthyr Rock’s return to the festival calendar has been nothing less than triumphant. It may be a relatively young festival, and will need time to flourish, but given the right support, this annual event in the valleys of South Wales can become more than a hidden gem for lovers of live music for years to come. Here’s to 2015; the road to Merthyr begins again…

Photo's courtesy of Menai Richards: https://www.facebook.com/MenaiRichardsPhotography

After a highly successful start to the “Road To Merthyr”, courtesy of KIDS IN GLASS HOUSES and a series of brilliant, intimate live shows, we must now avert our attention to the next generation of rising rock stars, as tonight, the YOUNG PROMOTERS NETWORK are back in Merthyr Tydfil’s Red House for “Breaking Bands”. This battle of the bands competition has been set up to allow one lucky up and coming Welsh band, the opportunity to open the main stage at MERTHYR ROCK, which is being held at Cyfarthfa Park on August 17th, and features a line-up including the likes of THE BLACKOUT, TAKING BACK SUNDAY and ANTI-FLAG. There were four bands booked for tonight, all ready to step up and grab the opportunity of a lifetime…there are three actually playing…this is what went down…

CIVIL FOES [N/A] from Aberdare were originally looking forward to playing tonight, looking forward to the chance to shine, however, due to circumstances within the band, they have sadly called it a day and have split up. It’s a shame we didn’t get to see them perform but we wish them all the best in any and all future projects.

CLEAR THE AUDITORIUM [8] are the first on stage and get the daunting task of having to set the bar early on, but boy do they do it in style. Playing a mixture of tracks from their “2021” and “The Final Broadcast” EP’s, their blend of alternative rock and dub-infused electronic beats goes down a storm and it’s hard to tell which is more energetic; the music or the band themselves! Front-man Dafydd Richards getting into the full swing of the occasion, climbs 12-15 ft up one of the venues walls, runs through the crowd, throws himself around the stage…it’s a confident, determined all-round display that demands your attention and is nothing less than impressive.

Up next are Cardiff’s LAST VENDETTA [6] who, despite delivering a quality dose of melodic punk-pop, just can’t quite live up to tonight’s opening act in terms of performance and hunger. Their set was good, the band are tight but really they lacked any real spark. The inclusion too of MICHAEL JACKSON cover “Man In The Mirror” didn't help matters tonight either, as while the track itself is a good one, and it was played brilliantly, when a band is looking to impress, you should be looking to stick to original material, it slightly cheapened the performance.

Finally then, we shift gears once more for the final act of the night, Bridgend’s SET TO BREAK [7] who pummel the unsuspecting crowd with a ferocious set of hard hitting metal-core. Their performance is strong, their technical ability, musically, is superb and vocalist George Ross has an impressive set of pipes on him to say the least. Inspired by artists such as ARCHITECTS and PARKWAY DRIVE, they end the night in brutal fashion playing songs from their newest EP; “Redemption”, leaving the judging panel with a lot to mull over…

Having taken each of tonight’s three performances fairly, weighing up pros and cons, the judging panel firstly decided that it was between two of the three bands without a shadow of doubt. Secondly, the panel took into consideration that tonight’s winner would be opening the main stage of Merthyr Rock, they would need to set the tone for a great day of live music and entertainment early on, supporting a mixed line-up of artists with a mixture of styles…and with that in mind, the panel reached a unanimous decision. The winners…Clear The Auditorium.

We wish the boys from Pontypridd all the best and look forward to seeing you again on the 17th, commiserations to our runners up, Last Vendetta and Set To Break, we’re sure you’ll be back for more in future, but this is CTA’s moment, and its thoroughly deserved.


For tickets to Merthyr Rock, please visit http://www.merthyrrock.com/
Article photo courtesy of Menai Richards: https://www.facebook.com/MenaiRichardsPhotography

Tonight marks the beginning of a journey, a musical jaunt through the valleys of South Wales for what is to be known as “The Road To Merthyr”, a coming together of bands, venues and promoters in the build up to MERTHYR ROCK 2014, which returns after a year’s absence to the grounds of Cyfarthfa Castle on August 17th. However, for now we must turn our attention to the old town hall, recently refurbished and re-branded The Red House, it plays host to the first of four very special shows by none other than KIDS IN GLASS HOUSES, who announced earlier this year that they were hanging up their instruments and calling it a day. Not only do fans get one last chance to see them in such an intimate and personal setting, they've brought along two support bands to really make a show of it. This is going to be special.

First to perform are a young band called PAINT HAPPY [6]. The unsigned Merthyr 5-piece get the honour of officially kick starting this promotional road to Merthyr Rock and grab the opportunity with both hands. With a mixture of influences, they combine an upbeat rock style with the swagger of urban, hip-hop beats to make for an energetic performance. The young lads are full of confidence and play some decent original material, the only downfall they have is that they are playing to the early punters and can’t quite get the crowd going. It was enjoyable though and they received a respectable reception. That being said, they have a little more success than Cardiff’s SAMOANS [5] The alternative rock 4-piece are clinical in delivery, offering tracks off their début album “Rescue” and playing a tight set, but while they may be great live musicians, between tracks there was very little life in them at all. Each gap in their set was full of a lot of awkward silence and their lack of crowd interaction failed to carry forward any momentum gained by tonight’s openers, and their overall performance was ever so slightly flat because of it.

If ever then there was a band capable of turning things around, it would be KIDS IN GLASS HOUSES [8]. With each and every fan understanding this is going to be one of the last times, if not THE last time they get to see the Welsh heroes on the live stage, the atmosphere is charged with positive energy, a sense of celebration and gratitude and the band, fronted by vocalist Aled Phillips, feed off every cheer, every clap and each word sung back at them. With a set list comprising of fan favourites such as “Saturday”, “Fisticuffs”, “Give Me What I Want” and rarer live tracks such as “Black Crush”, it acts as a brilliant retrospective of the bands four album career and serves as a testament to how much they’ll be missed once that final show is over, come October. KIGH’s journey maybe reaching its end, but this is one hell of a victory lap. The great thing as well, is that this journey is only just starting, there’s still plenty more to come along the Road To Merthyr…

PAINT HAPPY: https://www.facebook.com/PaintHappy
SAMOANS: https://www.facebook.com/samoans 
KIDS IN GLASS HOUSES: https://www.facebook.com/kidsinglasshouses

The organisers over at Kerrang! Have always gone out of their way to ensure the line up each year is diverse as can be, bringing together different styles to generally celebrate heavy music as a whole, than trying to appeal to one type of fan, and this year is no exception. After several hours queuing in the cold, wet miserable weather, we’re greeted with the first band of the night; BABY GODZILLA [3]. Now as much as I try, I actually haven’t got a clue what to say about these Nottingham based lunatics. Their style is a modern thrash / metalcore based onslaught that destroys everything in its path, they may as well have left out the “Baby” and just called themselves Godzilla! A lot of the time was spent diving around, climbing amps, wandering the crowd, throwing guitars around, generally being chaotic, which was fun to watch, but not really enjoyable to listen to.

NEKROGOBLIKON [6] were up next and again, they are quite hard to understand as a band. Musically they are fine; their mix of growled vocals, hefty guitar work and the odd lick of a keyboard gives them a slight resemblance to CHILDREN OF BODOM at times, just not as ferocious.  It’s straightforward enough, but, then we have the fact that an actual goblin joins them on stage. Ok he’s not a real goblin, but a man in costume…that, really doesn’t do, anything? He talks a bit, interacts with the crowd between songs, but generally prances around, head banging, giving it the horn, it’s purely all for show and as a gimmick, is a pretty weak one. I can’t see the novelty lasting long at all. Can’t help but feel they are trying too hard.

CROSSFAITH [8] are tonight’s main support, and it’s blatantly obvious why. They came to put on a show and by damn they put on a show. The quality and confidence in the performance by this Japanese 5-piece was outstanding. As a front man, Kenta Koie has the crowd under his control more or less right away, commanding circle pits and even the infamous wall of death, as he powers through the set. Terufumi Tomano joining him occasionally on vocals in between programming/electronics, and sipping neat Jack Daniels right from the bottle, it’s all very well executed and a sign of a band with a bright future ahead of them.

Now that everyone is properly warmed up, it’s time for tonight’s headliners, and probably the reason 98% of people got a ticket. LIMP BIZKIT [9], are tonight playing possibly the smallest UK show they have ever done, and the atmosphere is incredible. Guitarist Wes Borland struts on stage looking as audacious as ever, in a white blazer jacket, boxer shorts, a painted white face with electric blue full-eye contact lenses…he looks ridiculous yet somehow all the more respectable. He’s got Hawaiian flower necklaces, he’s sipping Bacardi from a pineapple, he’s here to party! Bassist Sam Rivers and drummer John Otto aren’t far behind, River’s eyes fixed on the crowd, he’s ready for this, before finally Fred Durst coolly walks on, with the band bursting straight into “Rollin’”. The crowd go NUTS as expected, with people being carried over the barrier here there and everywhere. Security at the front have earned they’re pay tonight! It’s a very “Chocolate Starfish…” based set list, with “Hot Dog” coming next, as well as including “My Generation”, “Livin’ It Up”, “My Way” and “Take A Look Around”. Newer tracks such as “Gold Cobra” make an appearance, as well as their cover of RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE’s “Killing In The Name”, before, despite Durst’s insistence that they've been told they can’t play “Break Stuff”, they end the set with that very song, and there’s not one person in the room unhappy. Despite the jet lag, despite the first night of any tour meaning bands are maybe a little rusty, Limp Bizkit have owned it tonight. It’s rare you get to witness bands of this size in such (all things considered) intimate venues, the Kerrang! Tour has made it possible this year with one of the biggest bands of a generation, and it’s been incredible.