I THINK I was there. I MUST have been. There’s blood on my sleeve and a set of co-ordinates in my back pocket in someone else's handwriting. Bannerman's. Underground stone. Hot, wet, shaking. Maybe it was last night. Maybe it hasn’t happened yet. Time did something funny in there. Slid sideways.

I remember the wall. Cold against my spine, or maybe it was breathing. Hard to tell. Could’ve been me. It could’ve been the wall.

I came to watch. That I know. Not to move. Not to feel. Just to witness. Someone needs to remember this properly when it’s over. I think I forgot what I was meant to remember.

Nero Bellum arrived by not arriving. One blink—nothing. The next—there. Smoke, red light, some metallic hum in my teeth. His shadow hit the ceiling before his feet hit the floor. He didn’t walk. He slid. Or maybe the floor moved for him. I looked down to check. The tiles were twitching. Not metaphorically. Actually twitching. I think one licked my boot.

Then “Devils Work”. Or what I assumed was it. It could’ve been a fire alarm. It could’ve been someone screaming backwards into a pipe. The noise didn’t feel like noise. It was weight. It came through the speakers and pushed the air out of my lungs in reverse.

People started jerking forward, twitching in place like wires were being yanked from inside their bones. Someone fell. Someone else fell on them. Nobody noticed. I stood still. I tried to blink slower as I didn’t want to miss anything important. A vole appeared from beneath the drum riser. A serious little fella. It might’ve had glasses. It was hard to tell in the strobe.

“The Poison Will Deaden The Pain” melted the centre of the room. I saw it happen. One second—people. The next—just blur. Hands, faces, teeth. Bellum was the only thing not vibrating. Just prowling through the distortion, mouth open, arms twitching like he was pulling threads only he could see. I thought he was bleeding, but it was just light. Or sweat. Or memory.

Every track hit with a new shape. “I Choose Violence” came with static in my eyes. I couldn’t see properly for the whole thing. I felt like someone shoved me into a microwave and hit purée. The synth lines crawled under my skin. I scratched at my arm and found ink I don’t remember writing.

There was a moment louder than the rest. I swear to God the bass spoke. Not metaphorically. Not poetically. ACTUAL words. I couldn’t hear them, but they were there. In the corners.

Nero stared out over us like we were ants he'd decided not to crush just yet. Or maybe he was somewhere else entirely. His mouth moved. Lyrics, probably. Or instructions. Or prophecy. My ears were bleeding by then, so I just smiled and pretended I understood. The strobes stopped briefly, and I swear I saw the crowd aging in fast-forward. Just for a second. Then we were back inside it.

I don’t remember hearing the final song. I remember feeling something explode behind my right eye. I leaned into the speaker and let it rattle my thoughts loose. When it ended, I wasn’t sure what year it was.

Everyone exhaled at once. The collective moan of the overused. People fell into each other. Some collapsed. Some crawled. One couple kissed with the urgency of people escaping a burning building. I stayed. Couldn’t move yet. My knees felt fictional.
Cleanup came. Gloves. Mops. One of them looked at me and flinched. I smiled. Didn’t mean to.

Outside, the night was wrong. Too empty. The cars looked fake. I followed the last few disciples up the hill. They limped like they’d left something behind and weren’t sure if it mattered. One of them turned and looked straight at me like I was part of it now. I tasted metal in the back of my mouth and it didn’t go away. Neither did the vole.

Tonight's gig coming in at 9 minutes of the sound of AOL dial-up internet through damaged speakers, out of 10.

Words: Matt Denny. 

The new album, "And Then Oblivion" by PSYCLON NINE is out now, via METROPOLIS RECORDS.

A lot of you may have possibly assumed that, this section of my blog was, for all intents and purposes; dead…and to be fair I can understand why. The last time I posted a live review here, was for HIM’s farewell tour back in 2017. That’s not to say that I haven’t been to any gigs since, far from it, it’s just that I’ve either not reviewed them due to being physically and mentally unable to (Thank you Jack Daniel’s), or if I have, it’s been for ALL ABOUT THE ROCK.

This is about to change however, and this page lays dormant no longer…back in June I was contacted by a group by the name of HAWTHORN AVENUE and, if you recall, upon request I reviewed their debut EP “Wildfire”. Not my usual cup of tea by any means, the musical duo (Consisting of Laura Benjamin and Marcus Gumms) were less alternative rock and more acoustic country pop, but to their credit I was pleasantly surprised and it’s a highly recommended EP. Having appreciated my review, they then personally invited me to their headline show at Cardiff’s iconic CLWB IFOR BACH, where I promised them I would run a follow up live-review. The question is; would I be swapping the crowd surfing for Kumbaya’s? Let’s see what went down…

Not to try and put a dampener on things, the day of the gig was a miserably wet one. They say Wednesday’s child is full of woe, but so was this Wednesday’s weather…and to say that Womanby Street in Cardiff was a bit empty due to the rain would be an understatement. There was no queue to be seen forming outside the venue, only really a handful of people and I’d be lying if I told you I wasn’t having doubts about this midweek musical endeavour. We remain committed however, and when doors finally opened, the select few in early attendance were treated to tonight’s opening support act JOHN NICHOLAS [6] who, all credit to him, soldiered through his set like a star. Performing solo with just an acoustic guitar, his backing tracks and loop pedals, the Bridgend-born singer/songwriter treated the handful of early attendees to some wonderfully impassioned, soulful blues-based pop. His newest single “Free” carries a distinctly bluegrass southern drawl, (Seriously, there must be a bayou somewhere in Bridgend, he’s nailed this sound) while “I Care” and “What Love Is” off of his debut EP “What My Eyes Fail To See” showcase his song-writing range. The former; a quaint campfire acoustic piece, with the latter then being a more energetic, pop-based number…it’s got subtle touches of YOU ME AT SIX at times and it’s a set highlight. As enjoyable as John’s performance is, it is sadly hampered by the lack of crowd and he really does deserve a better atmosphere.

Next up we have tonight’s main support and that comes in the form of Swansea based duo HOLY HOME VIDEO [4] and sadly here we suffer from the old switcheroo. While the crowd has grown by now to a more encouraging size, the set itself doesn’t encourage a great deal of enthusiasm. The folk-pop duo (Consisting of vocalist Cadi and guitarist/vocalist Samuel Owens) seem to specialise in minimalism; in terms of both their delivery and stage presence. Tracks such as “A Love So Sweet (I Can Taste It)” have a certain JOHNNY CASH & JUNE CARTER vibe aesthetically, with simple acoustic/country melodies and sickly sweet vocal harmonies, while “This Snake Don’t Rattle” suffers from a touch of drag and repetition in terms of chorus. Virtually motionless on stage, their songs, as bijou as they may be, aren’t enough to really hold your attention and sadly this set feels longer than it is due to a mixture of impatience and boredom. A clean, well delivered set of songs, but an uninspiring one I’m afraid...

Finally then it’s time for tonight’s headliners to hit the stage and what a treat HAWTHORN AVENUE [8] have in store for us all. While I enjoyed their EP, knowing they were another acoustic duo made me ever so slightly anxious given the previous act, especially given the promise of several brand new songs, I had everything from my fingers to my bollocks crossed hoping to not be disappointed here, but my worries wouldn’t last long as the duo were accompanied by a full backing band, immediately bolstering their set with more depth and character. New tracks such as “Trouble” and “Cross The River” go down incredibly well, with Laura explaining quite happily that the latter was about having burned several bridges in the industry but as the song suggests, there’s more than one way to cross a river, and it’s good to have that determination. If anything it’s already paying off as the duo have had some very positive feedback from the likes of BBC Radio Wales and multitude of radio hosts, which to be honest, IS deserved. “Raised Me Better” off of their aforementioned EP sounds so much bolder with their backing band playing alongside them, breathing new life into an already up-tempo track, before we slide into a wonderful cover of “Ring Of Fire” by that man Johnny Cash. Naturally this garners a sing-along and it’s impossible to not enjoy this quite frankly.

Sadly, this reviewer has to get the last train home tonight so I DO end up missing the last portion of their set, including “Wildfire” which I was genuinely looking forward to hearing live, but from what I DID hear, I can assure you the show went swimmingly. The idea of country-infused pop music may on paper seem like quite a niche genre, but if the likes of TAYLOR SWIFT can make the crossover work then there’s no reason why Hawthorn Avenue can’t find not only an audience but success too. Despite being a midweek show, despite the weather, they pulled it off and it’ll great to see where the next year or so takes them. Clwb Ifor Bach isn’t quite the Grand Ole Opry, but it’s a stepping stone on what is hopefully a lengthy adventure, down a winding country road.

“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 ...

Catharsis…that’s one way of explaining MUTATION…another and quite frankly more appropriate description would be an exorcism…because that’s practically what GINGER put himself through recently while writing the band’s latest material. He invited EXIT INTERNATIONAL’s Scott Lee Andrews to his caravan in order to put demo’s together for what would eventually become the album “Dark Black” released earlier this year and the process was grueling…fueled by a mixture of deep depression, alcohol abuse, anxiety, alcohol abuse, inner torment and a complete hatred for society (and some more alcohol abuse) they put together one of the fiercest and most unforgiving collection of tracks ever recorded…but could the extreme hostility of this freshly butchered slab of punk-inspired metal work as a live concept? Could they channel so much bile on tour night after night? Well recently we found out as they rolled in Cardiff with an act of depuration rarely seen on stage…and they didn’t come alone…let’s see what went down…

The gig gets underway thanks to a specially reformed ALL THE DAMN VAMPIRES [7] and this whole thing takes on a somewhat incestuous feeling…let me explain…drummer/vocalist Matt Riste and guitarist/vocalist Gavin Jessop were previously in a band you may have heard of called MIDASUNO…so was Scott Lee Andrews, who now plays for Mutation…who are headlining tonight…I don’t know whether to classify this as a mini-reunion or to put it out there right here and now that Welsh bands have been inbreeding…regardless, after walking on stage to “Cry Little Sister” from "Lost Boys" (where their name derives) they get things going with a fantastically feral performance! Gavin, utterly restless performing just as much of their opening set in the crowd as he does on stage…with their brash brand of hardcore alternative punk taken to the utmost extremities…the impact is both intense and impressive. The sound quality on the mic was often overshadowed by the animalistic nature of their music but their sheer energy and charisma carried them through what was ultimately a fun, albeit ferocious start...with a new lease of life and new material on the way next year, this was promising!

Next up were fellow Welsh mental dental rockers MADE OF TEETH [5] who have recently dropped their newest self-titled mini album, continue in grating the audiences faces against a mesh of stoner-inspired aggressive punk-metal…tracks like “Drunk On Bleach” and “Bleak Phlegm” sounding as charming as you’d imagine as guitarist/vocalist Chris West growls his way through their set…having been on the underground circuit for many years in a range of psychedelic stoner/doom bands their performance is tight despite the obvious insanity of their sound, and though while we can appreciate the professionalism it lacks the entertainment value that tonight’s opening band had it ever so slightly brings the mood down…

Finally then, the moment we’ve all been waiting for…not so much as excited fans ready to see their favourite band in the world…no…this is more like an experiment…this was a collection of scientific minds stood in anticipation waiting on the Manhattan Project, ready to detonate…and boy does this bomb go off. From the moment MUTATION [8] open up with “Authenticity” we are hit with a near visible shock-wave of brutally uncompromising sludge…with Ginger, Scott and drummer Denzel all lined up at the very front of the stage, they form a wall of noise that would put Donald Trump into an orgasmic seizure the sheer weight and scale of it…the majority of tonight’s set focuses primarily only the new album…with “Toxins” sounding positively insane, and “Hate”, despite its surprisingly infectious groove, totally pummeling the audience into satisfaction, it’s wonderful! There’s a mid-set of older tracks taken from “Error 500” to appease long-time sufferers, before they end the night with a double (over)dose of “Dogs” and “Deterioration”…having witnessed tonight’s show, it’s a wonder Ginger’s caravan is still standing, I dread to think what that poor little holiday home went through…but on the flip-side, this is a project that simply has to be respected. There is no leniency here, there is no mercy…this is more than music, this is the perfect encapsulation of a troubled frame of mind, wound wonderfully around sonic bombardment…to the three men on stage, I quite simply have to say well done. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go and get my ears syringed…

Wales has always been a hotbed of talented artists, performers and musicians; after all, it is the land of song, so it comes as no surprise when we hear that BBC Wales and the Arts Council Wales have teamed up to bring us HORIZONS. The Horizons scheme’s sole purpose is to showcase the sheer variety of talent emerging from the bustling Welsh new music scene by taking a selection of artists on a 7-date tour of the UK, allowing for the opportunity for more people to appreciate and discover new music they otherwise may not hear, with a series of free and somewhat intimate shows. Tonight that tour rolls into Merthyr Tydfil, where four acts are set to play the REDHOUSE. Converted from the old town hall and having had some serious renovation work, it’s a beautiful building and the perfect setting for tonight’s gig, so let’s get started…

First to take the stage tonight is a young lady by the name of GABRIELLE MURPHY [8]. The 18-year old vocalist from Treherbert is to some extent the odd one out on tonight’s line up (with three bands to come, a stripped-back acoustic set sounds like a tame start) but where she and her guitarist, Sam, lack in physical stage presence, they sure as hell make up for it in a heartfelt emotional performance that was simply a pleasure to behold. Performing tracks from her “Lockdown” EP, such as “Sweetest Taste”, “Bad” and of course, the title track itself, the early crowd is treated to some beautifully soulful tones of what is an incredibly strong and impressive vocal display. Currently unsigned, you can put money on that changing soon, a remarkable talent.

Next up we have Pontypridd based 4-piece CLIMBING TREES [7] who present us with a lovely little set of piano-lead, ambient, indie inspired gospel, which they themselves casually describe as “Cymrucana”, taking songs off their critically acclaimed debut album; “Hebron”. It’s a tight performance and a well delivered set, with tracks such as “Under The Lindens” and “River Home” perfectly accompanying newer offerings from their forthcoming second album, they manage to keep things blissfully mellow without becoming mournful and the set simply becomes all about an appreciation of music.

Tonight’s main support if you will, comes in the form of Cardiff based trio HOUDINI DAX [8] who treat everyone to a fine dose of energetic modern nostalgia. They find themselves, musically, somewhere between the classic rock ‘n’ roll style of THE BEATLES, with a touch of cheeky, indie-driven swagger a la FRANZ FERDINAND. Kicking off with their new single “Apple Tree” and playing through an entertaining set of tracks such as “I Found Love At The Dole Office” and “Get Your Goo On”, the young lads have no trouble lifting the mood, readying the crowd for tonight’s final act with ease, with a slick and solid performance.

Finally then, the crowd are ready for tonight’s headliners, THE PEOPLE THE POET [8] who certainly don’t disappoint. Fresh from their shows stateside at SXSW, they return home to South Wales and treat the eager crowd to a collection of tracks from their Welsh Music Prize nominated album “The Narrator”. The songs are powerful; the story telling within each is a rich tapestry of feelings and emotions, with vocalist Leon Stanford’s heart firmly embedded in his sleeve. His anecdotes of their time in America, his tongue-in-cheek look on happiness and depression and the sneaky inclusion of some CHER make the set a truly entertaining one, and the night ends triumphantly. Horizons have done a superb job championing the Welsh music scene, and with any luck, it won’t take long for these artists to get the recognition they deserve. Welsh music is, as always, in safe hands.

Photography by Questionmark Photography

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

It’s always good to see British bands doing well for themselves. When you know they've paid their dues, when you know they've worked hard to achieve even minimal success, yet be so appreciative and humbled by every crowd they pull in, no matter the size, you know that band is in the game for the right reasons. The music should always come first, and the three bands on this current UK tour all share that same principle, dedicating their lives to the music, to the road, not because they have to, but because they want to, and tonight, they pull into Cardiff.

The first band of the night, FORT HOPE [6] waste no time in getting things under way, with their blend of melodic soft rock and indie-pop harmonies; songs such as “Control” and “The Rapture” delicately penetrating your ears, aided by the fine voice of front-man Jonathan Gaskin, who charms his way through each note, each lyric, much to the delight of the throng of ladies at the front of the stage. It’s pleasant enough, despite lacking real energy.

Next up are Exeter’s I DIVIDE [8] who, on the back of their newly released début album; “Last One Standing”, dive right in with opening track “Follow Me”, and relent only occasionally to thank the crowd for their support and participation, especially on lead single “I'm Not Leaving”, which despite being a slow burner, is wonderfully simple. A catchy chorus, great rhythm, mildly hypnotic, it’s everything a great song needs to grab your attention. Grittier than tonight’s opening band, they raise the bar and raise the level of anticipation and excitement in the crowd ready for tonight’s head-liners, BLITZ KIDS [8] who eventually strut their way on stage to the unexpected sound of “Sexy Boy”, the theme music for former WWE Superstar SHAWN MICHAELS. It’s clear they are relishing the fact they made it as a headline band, and despite jokes about them only really being fit enough for support slots, they effortlessly plough their way through a mixed set list consisting of newer material from the hit album “The Good Youth”, and past EP’s such as the acclaimed “Never Die”. Songs such as “Warrior”, “Sold My Soul”, “Perfect” and the massive “Run For Cover” all hitting hard, cementing the bands status as one of the UK’s brightest prospects.

Tonight wasn't just about enjoying an evening of live music, tonight was a celebration. The sheer volume of talented artists emerging from these shores right now is incredible, and tonight, Cardiff played host to three of the finest. For Blitz Kids, this is only the beginning, but the level of support for bands these days is at an all-time high, and you can practically guarantee that these intimate gigs at smaller venues will one day turn into arena shows. Catch these bands while you can, they won’t be so up close for too much longer.


Fort Hope: https://www.facebook.com/forthopemusic 
I Divide: https://www.facebook.com/idivideband 
Blitz Kids: https://www.facebook.com/blitzkidsuk

Tonight marks a special occasion. It is both a time of celebration and remembrance in equal measure; it signals the end of an era, while at the same time opens new doors to a new and exciting future ahead of Aberdare’s Reaper In Sicily, who for this one-off show, are performing their début album “Islands” in its entirety for the first and last time. However it’s also the last show they shall be playing with Damon Miles, who is not only their drummer, but good friend too, and the event, despite feeling like a victory lap for this chapter of the bands career, is tinged with a sense of loss. Nevertheless, RIS aren't prepared to dwell in any sorrow; they are here to rock, and to help them they have enlisted the help of two superb support bands, making for one hell of a night.

First on stage, is a young band from Pontypridd by the name of CLEAR THE AUDITORIUM [8], who, with a brilliant blend of electronically infused dance-rock get things off to a flying start. Inspired by artists such as ENTER SHIKARI, front man Dafydd Richards looks like a seasoned veteran on stage, in control of the microphone whilst keeping in time with the samples and dub-infused beats. With songs such as “Outbreak” and “Eye For An Eye”, and new material off the forthcoming EP “The Final Broadcast” sounding tight, this band know how to get a party started, and do so in style.

Next up are special guests A WORLD DEFINED [7] who have travelled all the way from Derby for tonight’s show in The Moon Club, Cardiff, at the request of RIS. Having shared stages in the past, AWD duly obliged to be part of this commemorative occasion and played a great set, aided by the release of a brand new EP by the name of “In Absence”, this English five-piece won some new fans on their travels tonight with tracks such as “June” and “The Void” and are definitely welcome again.

Lastly then, and by no means least, it’s time for REAPER IN SICILY [8] to take the stage, and take this intimate crowd through a journey of nostalgia, from the intense build-up of tracks such as set-opener “The Prisoner” to anthems such as “Down But Not Out” and “Boys Will Be Boys”, the whole album goes down a storm (including the tracks front-man Rhys John Bernardo is personally unhappy with) and there isn't an unsatisfied face in the venue by the time they reach “Chuck Norris Got A Chainsaw”. The ten tracks aren't quite enough however, and the boys finish up with a final flurry of older songs, ending with “We Are The Show”. As far as special occasions go, given that all three bands on tonight’s bill are unsigned, makes this all the more monumental. The support for young up and coming bands right now is incredibly strong, and it’s heart-warming to see. As far as send-off's go, Damon couldn't ask for a better one and whatever both he and the band decide to do next, they have the unquestioned backing of many fans. “Islands” may officially be done and dusted now, but just like the first single, it’s all about “Horizons” again from here on in, and what’s beyond the next one. Only time will tell.

Photo courtesy of Menai Richards: http://yeahmenai.tumblr.com/