Metal Pigeon live review, August 2004
Live at The Railway Inn, Winchester, Friday 20th August 2004 with Vallen Brosa
[View the article on Metal Pigeon's website here]
[Metal Pigeon]
The Railway Inn was quaking after metal bands Season's End and Vallen Brosa unleashed their intrepid guitar solos for their leather-clad audience.
First on the bill was Portsmouth five-piece Vallen Brosa. Blending old school metal with the new, they are a band that would indefinitely appeal to any decade of rocker. First offerings "Coming of Age" and "Serve My Time" immediately portrayed their lead guitarist as being the life and soul and the band with his impressive soloing making its mark in both songs. Their beefy, ballsy rock reminded me slightly of recent new super group Velvet Revolver crossed with Kyuss; their drummer kept things interesting, varying tempos and showing off his double bass skills!
One song's intro, from their first demo, was shockingly reminiscent of Incubus' "A Certain Shade Of Green", displaying their tendency to sway towards a more nu-metal influence, however their slower songs, such as "Buried On The Side", returned to a wholesome American metal style (think Metallica) before beefing it up with a fine Slash-inspired solo, which personally I felt ruined the emotiveness of these slower songs as they stuck out like sore thumbs (although there is no doubting that they are very well performed). New track "Nitrogen" dusted off their set with a rapid solo bass intro and more soulful groans from their vocalist. A truly talented band - but not so talented as to sell their CD for a tenner I'm afraid! www.vallenbrosa.com
Headliners Season's End did not disappoint next, although it's surprising that they managed to fit onstage! Drummer Paul's kit was an absolute beast and after he arranged himself, there were five more members to squeeze onstage! But anyway, it was obvious that this was the band that pulled in the crowd as 30 more people barged through the door when the first chord was attacked.
It's hard to place Season's End; a quality I'm sure they'd like to uphold. They combine an emotive, moody infrastructure with an almost operatic melody courtesy of vocalist Beki. It's an odd combination, but one that certainly does the trick and gets the crowd head banging and imaginary pole dancing alike as well as promoting a gothic-like ambience.
It's debatable as to whether image is important for a band, but in Season's End's case, their all-black gear and long hair established them as undeniably gothic in appearance. However, their music incorporated definitive rock drumming with metal-edged guitars and a synthesizer a la HIM, adding extra depth to their set, which challenges the pigeonhole of goth-rock. Think Evanescence but without the pop.
Classically trained Beki's voice angelically soared above the dark instrumentals (think Tool but with more structure) complimented by Legolas' (woah!? - Lord Of The Rings loving ED) backing vocals in "Nothing At All", whilst their drummer Paul did some serious foot pedalling. Actually, their guitarist isn't called Legolas, but with his gorgeous long blond hair anyone could be fooled.
The highlight of Season's End set was their catchiest song "A Ghost In My Emotion," taken from their debut album "The Failing Light"- a favourite with their fans. Beginning with a spooky riff and ominous drumming, later subsiding into a soprano female chorus before catapulting into some serious corrugated riffage with Beki and David's (Legolas) voices harmonising perfectly. What Beki lacks performance-wise the rest of the band more than make up for, with their dramatic hair flicks and rock god poses that signify they are destined for bigger (and possibly more chilling things). Catch the metallers at the Bloodstock Festival from the 3rd-4th September. www.seasons-end.com
Kate Hutchinson of Metal Pigeon
http://www.metalpigeon.com
