February Hexes

UK Druids Black Magician are embarking on a series of dates throughout February (including one at Belfast's Voodoo, which we visited last year and is a cracking, hospitable place) and Fibbers where we went a few years ago, so if you want to be able to tell your grandchildren that you were there at the start, now is your chance.

7th - Manchester (TBA)
8th - Liverpool (The Pilgrim)
9th - Edinburgh (Banshee Labyrinth)
10th - Bradford (Black Swan)
15th - Belfast (Voodoo)
16th - Dublin (Fibber Magees)

The Devil's Church (All-day Show) Bradford, July 2011

Great gig in Bradford yesterday. Shame there weren't more people there!

Lazarus Blackstar, Bradford, 28 Sept 2009

Almost forgot to mention, I went along to a fine gig a couple weeks back that included a set by one of THEE CLAW's favourite UK acts, LAZARUS BLACKSTAR.


We have seen LBS a few times now, early on with Paul Catton (STUNTCOCK, MEDULA NOCTE) on vocals and then again when MIK HELL took over in that department.

I want to let you know, these guys are so much improved since the last time we saw them (also in Bradford at the 1 In 12 I think). Admitedly, I don't know their set. I recognise riffs of course, but I don't think that knowing their names of songs is the most important thing here. LAZARUS BLACKSTAR are high-volume, tuned-down, dirty, nasty, slow-paced and generally tight in their style of playing.

It is also worth mentioning that Mik's really settled into the front man role (yes, really - front man!), in which he appears to relish the opportunity to convey his utter disgust of the crowd before him. Well, not so much disgust maybe... his lack of concern with any sort of audience reaction to the performance of the band. I don't know if this is a contrived mood that he's projecting, or if it's sincere revolt. Either way he really brings something to the band as a whole. He's not up on that stage to make friends. THEE CLAW has been saying this for a long time: Dirty Scouser frontmen are the way forward!


LAZARUS BLACKSTAR will no doubt bring out a landmark full-length and everyone will be raving about them, in a depressingly doom-laden kind of way. I would like to see headline slots and US tours in their future.

LBS are next playing in our neck-of-the-woods on November 8th 2009 at the Star & Garter. See you there.

LAZARUS BLACKSTAR MYSPACE PAGE

Doom Metal Inquisition 2008 (Patchie)

I love the 1 in 12 in Bradford, it's one of my favourite venues.

I think I've said that before like, but there you go.

Decent beer (if you don't buy the Polish lager), a good PA in a decent sized room, and a vegan cafe at the top of the building.



Anyway, we headed off there on Saturday for the Doom Metal inquisition, a yearly gathering run by the druids of The Miskatonic Foundation to bring the best doom to the people who deserve it.

Thee Claw clambered into Thee Clawmobile early on, picking up Paul (of They Are Cowards fame) on the way, and arrived just in time to miss most of the first band.

Grimpen Mire opened up, good solid doom here, natch, with some Frost, but I missed most of their set by bringing too much beer to the venue and having to try and drink it outside whilst saying hello to everyone.

Misericorde next (have a word with the soundman, get them vocals higher in the mix), then Witchsorrow who played a cracking doomed up (or doomed down) version of Mayhem's Freezing Moon. As I was on my way out to the supermarket to buy cheap booze, sorry.

Next up were Yorkshire's Lamp of Thoth, who were one of the main reasons that I wanted to go to thee Inquisition, and they didn't dissapoint.

New track Hand of Glory is fucking killer; I think SJW got a video of it but it's gonna be about ten minutes long.  Definitely one to watch, they could be the new Cirith Ungol. Fact.

Randy Reaper (Lead Guitar) was telling me afterwards that he'd sustained some form of comedy, Carry-On style injury the night before, but you'd have never known it.

The crowd response was fantastic as well, loads of headbanging, fists in the air and flagons of ale being waved about (pint pots at least!)



Next up were Centurion's Ghost, who I have forgiven for soaking me with dirty filthy puddle water when their van drove over a cigarette lighter causing it to explode earlier in the day.

Good solid set of tunes from this mob, great stage presence, Mark - you're terrifying.

And Fed - sorry for getting you mixed up with someone else, I knew you weren't rude to me in Holland because I remember sitting outside Clancy's with you on the Sunday! (they are on tour in the UK with Converge now, so get along, and leave before the star-tattoo-on-the-side-of-your-neck-fest starts)



Warning were next; plagued by technical difficulties at the start of the set (dodgy lead gets my vote, although Paul has the same guitar and says it was the pickup selector) but total melancholy goodness from Pat and the boys.

SJW was in his element, as these are one of his favourite bands, and I'm sure he'll write a great review about their set, but truth be told, I was all set for some of the vegan food that I love so much from this venue that I scarpered upstairs before they really got going, missed Forsaken and got back just in time for the cultest of the cult - Pagan Altar.

If you don't know who Pagan Altar are, you are a false.

End of.

Total underground classic NWOBHM-infused Doom Metal, I was swept along on a black wave throughout their set.  After all these years, they still leave most modern bands in the dust with their songwriting, and the ability to set a mood and get the music across live.

I know that joy isn't something one expects to come away from a doom gig feeling, but after this I did.

Utterly timeless.

The Pagan Altar set went along the lines of:

Pagan Altar / Sentinels of Hate / In The Wake of Armadeus / Judgement of the Dead / Dance of the Druids / Armageddon / The Aftermath / Lords of Hypocrisy / Black Mass / The Cry Of The Banshee / Witches Pathway

Massive hails to all the brothers and sisters from around this green and pleasant isle (and beyond!) that I had the pleasure of meeting with and drinking with.

And Dean - as soon as I find out where in Huddersfield you live, your house is getting burgled for that Upside Down Cross LP!  You lucky bugger!

The Lamp Of Thoth - The Doom Metal Inquisition @ 1 In 12 Club, Bradford - 12th July 2008

Saturday 12th July 2008: Thee Doom Metal Inquisition, Bradford, England. A very serious day of pagan music, orchestrated by a shadowy organisation known as "The Miskatonic Foundation". They served up a grim feast indeed, including Claw favourites such as Lamp Of Thoth, WARNING and Pagan Altar.

I dunno about thee other 2 guys but I had a blast!

Set of the day goes to Keighley based The Lamp Of Thoth. In fact I reckon that their set at the DMI might have been a contender for Thee Claw's show of the year! I wager that this show is gonna figure somewhere up at the top of our top 10 list of gigs at the end of 2008. And that's some high praise indeed, considering we've already seen bands of the stature of Iron Maiden, Trouble, Judas Priest, KISS, Dio *and* Motorhead!

In our opinion The Lamp Of Thoth should rank spectacularly amongst that list.

It's no exaggeration to say that these guys will one day be as well known and successful as all of the above. Thee Claw loves The Lamp!

The Lamp Of Thoth's set @ The D.M.I. included:
Lamp Of Thoth / Wings Of Doom / Blood On Satan's Claw / Pagan Daze / You Will Obey / Hand Of Glory

More reviews regarding this day's bands to follow from the rest of Thee Brothers Claw, hopefully!

The Lamp Of Thoth myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/thelampofthoth



Quote from guitarist Randy Reaper (which he called out during their song Hand Of Glory): "Nu Metal is no laughing matter!!"

Heavyfest @ 1 in 12, Bradford

Great day at the 1 in 12 in Bradford yesterday, but so much happened... right now I need to collect my thoughts on the whole thing. Does this count as 1 more gig to the 2008 Claw Tour or can I add it as 11 separate bands?

Here's some thoughts and photos all about the bands that played at the 2008 edition of HEAVYFEST:

LIMBIC RIOT



MISERICORDE



GUSTO MASTIVO



E. MUD GENERATOR



GRUEL


Gruel are a band that can be described with one word... Drone. They came to the stage and produced an inverted cross (made out of light-bulbs), switched on the smoke machine and then started to make a right old nuisance of themselves in the best of punk tradition. Blood, animal bones, smoke, a bit more blood. That about covers it I think.

THEY ARE COWARDS


Their best gig so far. We saw They Are Cowards on Thursday night in Manchester and they looked tense. It was their first show, nerves etc, it was a very serious set. Heavyfest was a different vibe, the guys really seemed to enjoy their turn on stage. Drunken, sweaty & loud... but that applies to almost every band that played at this event I guess.

BLACK SUN


A contender for set of the festival, Black Sun came to the stage and they were already smashed out of their minds. Well, Kev (guitar) and Graeme (bass) were smashed, your man Russell (drums) seemed in good form. They played a blinder, lots of noise and huge angry volume. Kev started butting his microphone during the last few songs, God only knows what he was playing at there. No matter because it only added to the perfomance. The sweat was stinging my eyes by the end of their set and I was loving it. Black Sun are a band with huge stage presence.

VOLITION


Apologies to the fellas in Volition - I hardly saw any of their set! It was during the previous Black Sun set that one of the guys that I was with (Cov) fell unconsious and we had to call an ambulance to get him to the nearest hospital A&E unit quick. So while the rest of my friends were carefully putting him into the recovery position, I ran back into the venue and got some photos of Volition to include on here. After all, if I wasn't going to do it, who was?

LAZARUS BLACKSTAR


Another band that we saw in Manchester earlier in the same week. Blackstar have made the transition between vocalists successfully, Mikey is giving it all in the lungs and throat department. They played the loudest set of Heavyfest (by far), I don't know what was going on with that. My ears have become accustomed to listening to stuff through massive amplifiers and I was doing pretty well all day throughout Heavyfest, then Lazarus Blackstar came on stage. Afterwards I had dull hearing and I am still struggling with it now.

CHARGER


Now yer talkin! For my sins I haven't seen Charger now for about 5 years, when they played the Cavern in Liverpool. Yes, it's really been that long. They are sporting a new line-up now and, although they never took to the stage til close to midnight, it was worth the 5 year wait. The crowd had started to thin out by the end of Heavyfest due to a combination of heat and too much booze (one guy had to be carted off to hospital). So Charger's audience comprised of a hardcore of alcohol-fueled nutters. One of the Black Sun guys stripped down to his skin and ran about the place naked during their set... unphased, Charger played on.

GLOOMY SUNDAY


Twice in a week, I get to see Gloomy Sunday up on stage doing their thing. They played another great set but - I'm so pissed off about this - most of the crowd had started to make their way out fo the building while Charger were on and by the time it came to Gloomy Sunday's turn, all that was left watching was the guys from Lazarus Blackstar, a couple of Volition, Black Sun and about 5 others including myself. Okay, so it had been a long day but it's still not right. Anyways, everyone who left early were the ones who missed out. G/S did their thing and it was great to see. Towards the end of their set Denis (Guitar) had technical problems which held up the show for about 5 minutes until Kev from Black Sun (who was well and truly annihilated by this point) helped out the guys and played lead for the next song. Dennis held his own on vocals along side their main voacalist Jari.

Okay so now I owe you review-ettes on 4 more bands who hit the stage at Heavyfest. Maybe I'll get back to you on those a little later on, okay. No promises!

The Lamp of Thoth / Asomvel, Bradford 18th April

Yorkshire doom legends The Lamp of Thoth are playing at Bradford's 1 in 12 club next month, supported by Asomvel.
We saw The Lamp of Thoth playing with Pagan Altar last year, and they are amazing live.
Their Cauldron of True Witchery 10" and their I Love the Lamp demo have been two of the most listened to records in Claw Towers over the past few months.
For £3.50 you can't go wrong, you lucky people.

Links:
The Lamp of Thoth
Asomvel
1 in 12 Club

Heavyfest IV, Bradford, May 10th 2008

Deviated Instinct, Bradford, 2nd Feb 08 (Patchie)

I've been into Deviated Instinct since I was about 11 or 12, when I first heard "Behind the Scaffold" on the Friday Rock Show on Radio One, a session they'd recorded for John Peel.
My rather tender age at the time coupled with the fact that I was a pure metalhead meant that by the time I started sneaking into Liverpool's Planet X club a couple of years later, Deviated Instinct were long gone, and I never got the chance to see them. When I heard earlier this year that they were playing in Bradford, only their second gig since they decided to get a wash in 1993, I was besides myself with excitement; what's more, support was to come from Extinction of Mankind, whose Northern Scum has had a lot of airtime in my house.

Warprayer were first up, total British hardcore/anarcho sound will keep my eye out for them, then Extinction of Mankind played a blistering set, Scoot's last gig before he goes off to Brazil or something. Then what everyone is waiting for, Deviated instinct come onstage, opening with Resurrection Encore. They sound amazing. Putrid Scum, Judas Cancer.... halfway through I have to hand my stuff and the camera over to SJW so I can get down the front for Slow Death Suck. I'd already seen the setlist (it was on the stage in front of us) so I knew there wouldn't be any Behind the Scaffold, but closing the set with a double whammy of Sacrecrow and Rock N Roll Conformity made me very happy. We cajoled them into staying onstage for one more song;
They had to do Putrid Scum again because they had only practised the songs on the setlist.

It didn't matter though, they sounded great and it was well worth the trip over to Bradford for.

"Why weren't you this good in 87?"
"Because we were always drunk".

that Deviated Instict setlist in full:
The Resurrection Encore
House of Cards
Putrid Scum
Despair
Judas Cancer
Slow Death Suck
Stormcrow
Beyond Pain
Conquest for Eternity
Scarecrow
Rock N Roll Conformity
Putrid Scum (again)

Links:
Warprayer
Extinction of Mankind
Deviated Instinct

Couple more photos here.

Deviated Instinct

So much going on this week that there hasn't been much of an opportunity to tell you about the gigs we've been to... isn't that kinda what this page is supposed to be all about??

Saturday night we hit Bradford for a gig at a great punk club hidden down a back street. The gig was an awesome one-off by crust legends Deviated Instinct, in the sweaty, crusty atmosphere of the 1 in 12.

Check it out:





Even now I haven't got that much time to tell you about the show, no full review today sorry! I'll leave the words to Patchie cos he's a reeeal big fan of D.I.

It was well worth the journey from Liverpool to see them, let's put it like that.

There is an all-dayer to be held in Bradford on the 12th of July, Pagan Altar are announced as headliners. Looks like we'll be back up that M60 motorway soon enough.

Deviated Instinct

Saturday 2nd February, Bradford.

Added to Thee Tour.