HRH XIV - Great Yarmouth

Friday 5/11/21

Live review by; DeeDee 

 

Friday and no time to waste, as interviews with a few of the bands have been lined up. As usual with festivals having more than one stage, there are overlaps and clashes, so I have to juggle carefully and aim for those I haven’t seen before, some I really like and a few I can call mates, not easy. As a result, the list for Friday is a mix from stage one and two, with the performances I watched for the most part in full.

 

PEARLER - Bleary eyed, it’s an early start down the front of stage 2, to watch these guys from Swansea. They immediately wake us up, with the electric shock treatment that is known as ‘W.O.R.Z.E.L Chuggage’,  off the Belter EP. It’s a head banging piece of riffage that backs the gravel tones of frontman Wendell Kingpin. ’Chuggage’ may be their description but it fits it admirably, superb synchronised guitars and loads of fierce attitude. ‘Control’ is more recent and continues the onslaught, fair play to the dudes down the front who are moshing. ’Submarine’ like the previous number is from ‘Another Belter’, a second EP, that was released in 2020. Wildly delicious guitar by EVS and a hook that runs throughout, it has both melodic and ‘chugging’ dimensions. I like ‘Fortified’ the sleazy intro has a growl and is so low on the bass by Freaky, that it drags through the dirt, while the vocals react with more harshness. It's a great song, with so many layers. ‘Desert Slut’ with its winding introduction has a more rapid pace and that increases as the song travels. The HRH audience are liking Pearler, they are going down really well, solid and brutal Welsh rock, which is demonstrated to the utmost during ‘Radical Eyes’ that drummer Gwary Hunt, holds down uncompromisingly. A brilliant set, loved them. Go to the band's social pages, they are a fun loving lot and there is some exceptional merchandise to be had. 

 

GALLOWS CIRCUS -  The Kent groovers got underway with the infectious ‘Faith To Believe’ and all of a sudden we are transported back to those heady days of Led Zeppelin and Free and the British blues/rock that outpoured during the 60’s and 70’s. ‘Game On’ provides guitar twists from Ben Atwood that simply shake your mind, while Ian Day supplies the rapturous vocals. Down a few notches for the sublime ‘Bones To Pick’ soulful and mellow to begin with, but picks up traction with intermingling guitar that’s raw and it all collides in the end with an enormous amount of energy. The set is mainly from the two existing EP’s ‘Medicine Man’ being on EP II, Ian, with his amazing dreads, interacts well with those watching and has quite a talkative nature. To take a Michael Jackson song and make it your own has to be held in respect, ’Dirty Diana’ is turned into a sultry serenade, with a more stomping rhythm from Richard Tunbridge on bass and drummer Steve Kitchener. The tempo rises on ‘Shotgun With The Devil’ and the room is packed. The vocals are in the vein of Paul Rodgers and the switch between blues and rock is intoxicating and lush. A flowing, heavy ballad is inserted as ‘Holding My Breath’ is played and most of us hold ours in total awe. The brilliantly titled ‘Bring Your Crucifix’ lifts the atmosphere before they part company with HRH on a bottle of ‘Hells Whiskey’ a punishing track and we are demolished. What a band and what a performance, god that was good.          

 

FYRESKY - This fourpiece offers something different, goth rock with stacks of colour and off the wall creativity. Today's list, is for the most part, tracks from ‘The Grand Illusion’ album, ’Spectre’ and ‘Pieces’ coming up first. A fantastic band to watch, singer Gabriel Valentine is striking, looking like a sinister dark lord, it’s surprising to learn he’s into sailing. Guitarist Nicole Lastauskas is also eye-catching, I like the way she plays, bouncing around the stage with determination. The single ’Starchaser’ has pouncing waves of melody, the vocals are shrill and there’s some evocative bass from Kristina White. They lighten up with a cover of ‘Time Warp’ which gets the HRH crowd in a boisterous mood, then it's back into the abyss with ‘Pleasure For Pain’ hooky and having a catchy riff, it does stick. Last is ‘Ashes’ a hollering and chanting piece of work, that also inflicts some memorable guitar chords.     

 

WARD XVI - Over to the main room for the theatrical inmates of Whittingham Asylum. Ward XVI certainly made an entrance at the awards night, vocalist and the despicable insane Psychoberrie, was wrapped in chains and dragged into the room, by the rest of the troop. Tonight the show tells the tale of ‘Metamorphosis’, the latest concept album that allows us to be taken into the realm of crazy mothers, horrific killing and pure evil. Of course this is a marmite type of band, but love or hate them, you have to accept that they do bring all the ghoulish behaviour, similar to that of Alice Cooper, into the 21st Century. From the innocent ‘Cradle Song’ the story unfolds and the music is laced with the bands amazing ability to act and add drama. Of course eventually there is gore with ‘Burn The witch’ and ‘The Verdict’ before we hear a couple from the debut, ‘The Art Of Manipulation’. The thumping ‘Cry Of The Siren’ and the creepy accordion based, circus horror ’Toy Box’.  Winning a load of praise recently and appearing at Bloodstock and other main festivals, the story of Psychoberrie is bound to continue and I guess there will be a messy finale. Ward XVI are - Psychoberrie - Vocals, Doktor Von Stottenstein - Guitars/ Vocals, Wolfy Huntsman-Bass/ Vocals, Martt Attack - Keyboards and Bam Bam Bedlam - Drums.

 

ETERNAL FEAR  - Swedish legends Eternal Fear, grace the second stage next, so I head over there promptly. A band that’s been in existence since the early 90’s and have the classic hard hitting, no frills approach. They have already drawn a big crowd here at HRH, the barrier is heaving in anticipation and the Nordic metal band soon get organised and shift into their setlist, or Låtlista if you’re Swedish ! The new EP ’The Other Side’ is well represented, ‘Post War Dream’ with its shredding guitar and crisp vocals, then ‘Defenders Of The Realm’ which rattles the cage somewhat. An older entity ‘Embraced In Darkness’ hails back to 2009, but remains fresh. Ove Johnsson has a tremendous stage presence, singing directly into the front row with a menacing glare. I like the ethos of ‘Dream Stealer’ as it plunders all lying before it. A steadfast pounding of sticks by Stefan AlmQvist and some penetrating bass from Torbjörn Brogren. Ove delivers a metal melody and carries the song into a flow as hot as lava. Valhalla awaits as they play ‘Halls Of Odin’ another from the past, which is less hard pressing and broadens the performance. Time for the title track off the new EP, which came out in February. Good to know they can still write with such vigour, ‘The Other Side’ actually sounds more mature in parts. Afterwards it’s time to clash swords with ‘No Surrender’, when the two axe men Daniel Henriksson and Mattias Thomasen are unleashed to demonstrate their combined skills. A superb set is finally settled with a mash of ‘Hate’ and ‘Evil Deeds’.            

 

SCREAMING EAGLES  - A band that have been on a hiatus for a while, it’s a welcome cheer from the crowd that sees The Screaming Eagles back on stage. A swagger of AC/DC and custom built elements of Airbourne, these Northern Irish rockers don’t mind taking it to the extreme and we see that today. The debut album ‘From The Flames’ is about eight years old, however it features broadly and ‘Hungry For More’ almost shatters any nearby glasses with Chris Fry’s screeching vocals. ‘All The Way’ is stomping rock with ‘Bon’ like vocals and there’s no hiding the comparisons. Their self titled song has a chunky riff and the show starts to warm up with increased passion. ’Take My Time’ and the older ‘Breakin’ The Rules’ run smooth and precise, but ‘Down The River’ tears it up a strip with its raunchy blues and cool pulse. ‘Vampire’ gets the barrier bustling and the cover of the Doors’ ‘Roadhouse Blues’ sees hands in the air, yes, HRH is now truly rocking. The last songs are ‘Blood’ which returns to the bluesy side and finally ‘Rock ’N’ Roll Soul’ an unrestrained powerful rocker which sees Chris at his best. You’ve been away far too long guys, great to see you again.      

 

PHIL CAMPBELL & THE BASTARD SONS  -  Who doesn’t like a bit of Phil Campbell? Tonight the room is heaving and Phil and his Bastard Sons are just what we need. ‘We’re The Bastards’ launches the show and it’s pure rock and roll heaven. ‘Bootyard Bandit’ frontman, Joel Peters won the recent audition for a new vocalist and he slots in perfectly. Another from the last album ‘Bite My Tongue’ slithers, with swaying guitars from Phil and Todd and Joel grabs it with both hands. Motörhead’s ‘Rock Out’ gets the moshers into a frenzy down the front, keeping the spirit of Lemmy in high regard. An early song ‘Spiders’ slows the running and is belted out with no sign of remorse, lovely guitar solo by Phil before it cruises back to a swagger. ‘Born To Raise Hell’ another Motörhead cover, is probably the most warmly received song of the festival, everyone in the room is singing and/or bouncing, me included. From the debut album ‘Age Of Absurdity’ the more heavy throb of ‘High Rule’ is followed with ‘Get On Your Knees’ which boasts a strut like no other. The crowd haven’t stopped all through this, it’s utter carnage. Nice to hear one from the solo album that Dee Snider sang, ‘These Old Boots’ clamps it down with cowbell and a lower force of vocals. The rhythm of sons, Tyla on bass and drummer Dane, getting full credit on this. No Phil C gig can be complete without ‘Ace Of Spades’ and ‘Silver Machine’ that Lemmy wrote when in ‘Hawkwind’ and the fervour of the crowd continues. Back to recent days with the apocalyptic ‘Ringleader’ before  updated versions of ‘Killed By Death’ and ‘Going To Brazil’. Bowing out with the sultry stalker ‘Dark Days’ and finally the turbulent ‘Big Mouth’ this was a classic and will be well remembered.   

 

CHRIS HOLMES AND THE MEAN MEN - Due to the unforeseen pandemic and all the chaos it caused, this year's line up was drastically amended, as most of the overseas bands were unable to come over. So fair play to Chris Holmes for making it to Great Yarmouth, with his mean men. I’m sitting behind the desks with my friend, who happens to be a sound engineer and after a few minutes he tells me the levels are all wrong. I don’t think this was noticed by those enjoying the set down the front, it must have been ok that close up, but from where we were, it was a bit muffled. However, Chris and his Mean Men, who are Oliver Tindell on vocals/guitar and Lex Gifford on bass, from The Wicked Jackals, together with Stephen Jackson on drums, who is also with The Wicked Jackals and Heartbreak Remedy on occasion, a popular guy. A long set consists of original Chris Holmes tracks, a lot of W.A.S.P songs, as Chris was a founder member of that iconic outfit and with them up until 2015. There are also a few classic covers, such as ‘Born To Be Wild’, ‘Fortunate Son’ and ‘Rocking In The Free World’ which altogether provides a nice range of music. Considering the lack of time to prepare and everything being thrown in at the last minute, Chris and the Jackals did a decent job and full credit to them. In hindsight, I think a lot would agree that Phil Campbell should have headlined, but it all turned out stupendous in the end. They came back on with an encore of AC/DC’s ‘Highway To Hell’ and that was a fine example of how a professional deals with it. 

 

Quite a mixed day in terms of music, bands with several differing styles and some superb acts to start following. Heading to the bar for a late one and to mix with friends, I realise we are just one big happy HRH family.  Been a riot so far and we still have another day to go. 

​

 

#rockmediauk #hardrockhell #chrisholmesofficial #wasp #philcampbellthebastardsons #motorhead #pearler #screamingeagles #eternalfear#gallowscircus #fyresky #wardxvi #thewickedjackals #acdc #highwaytohell #heartbreakremedy #greatyarmouth # #livereview #livemusic #musicfestival