Heretic Fest 2022 - Day 2

Corporation Sheffield

Live review by; DeeDee

Saturday morning and as we walk the short distance to the Corporation from the hotel, we meet up with a few friends, before heading into the venue for the second day of this festival. A bit low on attendance yesterday, so hopefully more punters will show up today. A change of line up as well, we have Mason Hill and Ryders Creed stepping in, so that’s a bonus.

Worthy winners of the last HRH Highway To Hell competition, over at the O2 here in Sheffield, BASTETTE are the led by the striking Caroline Eve Kenyon. First up today and what a way to get the temperature rising, ‘Talk About It’ is a seductive number and as many of the Bastette songs it is written from experience. The delicate ‘Hunter’ and then the new single ‘Psycho’ are a distance apart, as the latter is a persuasive rocker, again about a past relationship.

With new members Arran Lomax, Laurie Buchanan and Tom McCarthy on board, there have been changes since the bands inception in 2019, but I think the new line up is stronger and brings an increase in depth.

There are a few local bands on this weekend however, STEAL THE CITY have to be one of the best known. Their gutsy and hard edged tunes are something to savour and singer Joe Hanson has the most adhering of voices. The up-beat ‘Beating Heart’ is a cool introduction and the riffs keep flying on ’Wallflower’ both songs being from the 2018 album ‘The Time We Needed’.

A triple stretch of newer compositions ‘Know It All’, ’Bulletproof’ and ’Serendipity’ are aired and I love the buzz they give off. ‘Manufactured’ rolls into sight, which seems much faster live and they bow out with last years staggeringly raucous ’Serendipity’ check that mother out!

In complete contrast THESE WICKED RIVERS offer Stoner groove and streaks of Southern Blues. Hailing from Derby, the band have this magnetic attraction that you cannot pull away from. Drawn to the stage as they open with ‘Shine On’ it’s a ride of songs from the ‘Eden’ album, one I found extremely cool when I reviewed it in 2020. John Hartwell on mic and rhythm guitar with Arran Day playing lead, mix up the intoxicating sound so fluently, you are heady with the results. ‘Evergreen’ and a couple off the second album ‘II’, namely ‘Testify’ and ‘Don’t Pray For Me’ see them out to a loud and warm Sheffield applause.

The band are currently seeking help with album number two, here’s the link for the crowd funder - www.thesewickedrivers.com/category/crowdfunder.

Ryan Antony leads RYDERS CREED onto the stage and the North Midlanders and the band strike up ‘Memories’ the powerful track from ‘Lost Souls’. A few sound problems as the vocalist takes to the side of the stage, but this fails to hinder his pristine delivery of ‘Lost Soul’ and ‘Hand In Hand With The Devil’. I like their music, I like their way of digging in deep with full on melodies and lengthy solo’s. Unfortunately the last few times I’ve seen them there have been technical upheavals, I’m going to have to put that right at the first opportunity. ‘Cut Me Down’ and the incredible ‘Unleashed’ are the highlights for me tonight.

REVIVAL BLACK are so popular, even compere Pete K Mally gushes when introducing them! The Liverpudlians blast us with new singles ‘Believe’, ‘Take You Out’ and ’See You Again’ which will be on the long awaited ‘Under The Light’ album, which is due out at the end of August.

Meanwhile the Corporation occupants are enjoying themselves and the barrier is loaded with dedicated Revival Black fans. ‘So Alive’ and ’No Secrets, No Lies’ are served before they leave us with the unbeatable foot stomping ‘Wide Awake’.

THE BOOT YARD BANDITS have evaded me up to now. But I am initiated with a set of ‘Songs For The Saddle Sore’ and they do have a way with lyrics. ‘M.I.L.F’ (look it up!) is the opening ditty and the heavy country rockers from the Wild West of Worcestershire, demolish all in their wake.

I love the humour, it’s tongue and everything else in cheek and the pair of green cacti on the sides of the stage are now on my shopping list. With titles like ‘Cowboys & Indian Takeaway’, ‘Shirt Potatoes’ and ‘Let’s Rodeo’ this is dirt with the strut of a gunslinger and all the corral included. The sleazy ‘Hoedown Showdown’ is a fitting finale. Brilliant stuff guys, see you in the saloon. Oh and watch out, album number two is on its way.

DAXX AND ROXANE are the Swiss boys who never fail to impress. The choice of covers they tend to record, always surprises me, as they tend to find the more obscure songs, although of course, Stevie Wonders ‘Superstition’, is well known and they do a splendid version of that.

The latest cover is ‘Delilah’ not the obvious one, but the ‘Florence and The Machine’ ballad. Cédric Pfister handles it superbly, he does have a strong voice and can scream when required. A band that, while residing in London, don’t conform to the usual practice of having a schedule, you never know what they will come up with next. Tonight they go a storm and I’m sure a lot of new admirers.

THE FALLEN STATE frontman Adam Leigh Methven, has a personality that grows on you. I’ve been a fan of since his ‘The Addiction’ days and this band certainly give him the space he deserves. ‘For My Sorrow’ rustles in with bellowing bass lines and lowly guitar, it’s very grunge inspired, but has a lick of pounding solos that are divine on the ears. The song ‘Nova’ featured Chris Robertson (Black Stone Cherry), but as he’s not available here in Sheffield tonight, Adam does a marvellous job. A new album came out in March, entitled ‘Between Hope & Disillusion’ and from hearing those played tonight, I think I’ll be getting a copy. Order the album HERE

Is there any band that gets the blood rushing as much as MASON HILL? I’ve seen so many audiences wowed by their performances and even other headline bands, joining in on those ear worm choruses.

The album ‘Against The Wall’ has to be one of the best from the NWOCR tribe and it will take some beating to knock it off the top, for many of us. The Scots have us in their grip as they chuck out a pile from their hit record, which managed to reach number six in the main charts. The room is literally shaking as they play the title track and the air is full of the lyrics as we sing along to every word. I don’t want them to stop, they are just amazing.

After a break to recover, I resume my place down the front for the headliners STONE BROKEN and glad to see guitarist and vocalist Rich Moss has recovered from his recent illness.

A new album ‘Revelation’ came out in April and the title track is up first. They have quite a lengthy back catalogue as they have been together since 2013 and there are now three full studio albums to choose from for the set. A hefty crowd has remained in the venue, as this Walsall band have an amazing following. We hear ‘Doesn’t Matter’ and ‘Heartbeat Away’ from 2018 and more new items with ‘Black Sunrise’ and ‘The Devil You Know’. Very engrossing and of course with a tour currently in progress, they are extremely tight up there tonight. It’s always cool on a lengthy performance to add a cover and they pick ‘Feel Like Makin’ Love’ (Bad Company) to get us swaying. The steadfast ‘Not Your Enemy’ sees them out and it’s been a pleasure to watch.

Another day to tick off and it’s been interesting. A rather poor turnout, but some delightful music and it was nice to bump into a load of friends. Time to hit the sack and reflect, I have Mason Hill’s ‘DNA’ revolving in my head as I hit the pillow!

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