Metal Discovery: Review + Photos of Bloodstock Open Air 2007

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HEAD-ON

www.head-on.co.uk

Fourth on the main stage are Head-On from Reading. Completely unfamiliar with their material before today, I'm pleasantly surprised by the fusion of stoner and thrash that characterises their music. Like Kiuas, they receive a great mix through the PA which does justice to their crushing down-tuned stoner vibe and sporadic bursts of more up-tempo thrash riffing. The songs also have a genuinely heavy groove which is often lacking with music in this metal subgenre. This is stripped down, non-gimmicky, raw metal aggression, as vocalist Mark Logan unpretentiously introduces songs with lines such as "this is 'Meat Wagon'...a song about meat on a wagon" and "we'll keep the rain at bay a bit longer - this song is called 'Sunrise'". With a live show as good as this, Head-On are surely destined for greater success. Impressive.

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FIREWIND

www.firewind.gr

Hailing from Greece, Firewind attract the largest crowd of the day so far at the main stage just prior to their performance which is indicative of the band's rising popularity in the UK. A couple of weeks before the festival, it was revealed in a statement issued by Firewind's guitarist Gus G. that their regular vocalist Apollo would be 'taking the next few months off' as he was experiencing 'some problems back home', and that Henning Basse, the frontman from German band Metallium, would be temporarily recruited to fulfil touring commitments. Basse is thanked for this on stage as it enabled Firewind to honour their appearance at BOA to which the crowd cheer in appreciation. Their music is rooted in the power metal subgenre although with progressive overtones and virtuoso musicianship which, during their performance, manifests in the breathtaking fretboard widdlings of guitarists Gus G and Bob Katsionis, with the latter occasionally playing guitar and keyboard simultaneously reminiscent of Michael Angelo's ambidextrous 'Double Guitar' solos. At times, the songs seem secondary to these guitar virtuosi; merely excuses for displays of their masterful technique à la Yngwie Malmsteen with his 'band'. However, the songs, albeit very unoriginal and infused with Euro-cheese, are strong enough to sustain interest in their set. Basse does a remarkable job as stand-in vocalist and the BOA audience appear to warm to him as Firewind's temporary frontman. Overall, nothing original here, but nonetheless a very enjoyable performance.

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TESTAMENT

www.testamentlegions.com

With time having been made up from earlier delays, this is then compromised by an unnecessarily overlong soundcheck by the roadies of Thursday headliners, Californian thrash legends Testament. Such lengthy soundchecks always seem rather futile as setting levels for instruments in complete isolation from each other is no test as to how they'll actually sound when played together, such is the case when the band appear on stage and launch into opener 'The Preacher' from 1988 album 'The New Order'. Drums are almost entirely lost in the mix, with only a very tinny sounding snare audible, and guitars are far too loud which simultaneously distort the PA speakers and drown out Chuck Billy's vocals. In direct contrast to Firewind, Testament sound completely abysmal through the PA for the first 3-4 songs, and this coupled with the strong bias on back lighting and a rampant smoke machine that renders the band as only murky silhouettes, abates the impact of their stage entrance. When the sound problems are rectified and band members become more visible, Testament are an impressive live act in 2007. With the current lineup including all original members apart from original drummer Louie Clemente - ex-Cradle of Filth/Dimmu Borgir sticksman Nick Barker occupies the drum stall - the band's set includes material both old and new which is well received by the BOA audience. Initial sound problems aside, Testament prove themselves worthy headliners of the first day of Bloodstock.

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THURSDAY 16th AUGUST - PART 2