Music / Previews
Metal & Prog Picks: October 2015
Trinity, Oct 10
is needed now More than ever
These days, Canuck prog-metal titan Devin Townsend can comfortably sell out the Albert Hall without attracting the attention of the fad-obsessed mainstream media. But this isn’t going to be one of his big productions, like the show he put on at the Academy back in March. Billed as An acoustic evening with Devin Townsend, this low-key tour sees restless Heavy Devy pitch up with just an acoustic guitar and a stream of anecdotes. He’ll also be taking requests, so let’s see if we can persuade him to do an acoustic version of Oh My Fucking God.
Fleece, Oct 15
They sure don’t look like a prog-metal act, but young Norwegians Leprous are just one of a slew of new acts pushing progressive rock forwards. They rose to prominence as the backing band for Ihsahn, formerly of black metallers Emperor, who also now ploughs his own, idiosyncratic alt-metal furrow. Musically, they’re pitched somewhere between Tool and modern King Crimson. New album The Congregation is out now on Inside Out.
Motion, Oct 17
Hailing from darkest, erm, Suffolk, the Filthies are easily Britain’s biggest black metal band – although they prefer the term ‘extreme metal’ or just plain old ‘heavy metal’ – their notoriety deriving as much from their merch (that covetable Jesus is a Cunt T-shirt) as their music. Fun-sized Dani Filth’s infernal shriek remains an acquired taste, but he’s an eminently quotable personality in a genre not noted for this quality, and with Lindsay Schoolcraft taking the place of departed Sarah Jezebel Deva (yup, Dani doesn’t half burn his way through band members) it is at least leavened by some soprano. New album Hammer of the Witches got a four-star review in the increasingly metal-friendly Guardian (“Filthy, vicious fun, as always”) and sees a return to the Maiden-influenced twin guitar frenzy of their earliest work. The naughty scamps have also come up with a pleasingly rude video for Right Wing of the Garden Triptych. Expect a hugely theatrical show with no stinting on the corpse paint.
Marble Factory, Oct 21
Melancholic Warsaw prog-metallers Riverside took a slightly more upbeat approach with their sixth album Love, Fear and the Time Machine. Beginning with Lost (Why Should I be Frightened by a Hat?) and ending with Found (The Unexpected Flaw of Searching), this is a loose concept piece hinging on themes of change and transformation. Driven by Mariusz Duda’s world-weary vocals, it’s a melodic, textured and finely crafted album, with more than a hint of ’80s pop. A treat for anyone who loves The Pineapple Thief or Steven Wilson.
Marble Factory, Oct 22
Female-fronted gothic/symphonic metal? You can’t get away from it this autumn. Next month brings Epica at the Academy and Leaves Eyes at this very venue. But first, here’s the outfit former Within Temptation keyboard player Martijn Westerholt formed with recovering jazz singer Charlotte Wessels. Although the band take their name from a Stephen King novel, Wessels’ lyrics frequently deal with political and gender issues rather than fantasy. She’s got a masters degree in Gender Studies, you know.
Carcass/Obituary/Napalm Death/Voivod
Motion, Oct 27
This was already shaping up to be October’s best metal package before it was upgraded to Motion and Napalm Death were added to the bill. British melodic death metal pioneers Carcass made a welcome return with 2012’s Surgical Steel and were last in town on the Amon Amarth tour at the Academy back in 2013. Original members Jeff Walker (bass/vocals) and Bill Steer (guitars) are joined by Bath’s very own Daniel Wilding (from Trigger the Bloodshed) on drums. Veteran Florida death metallers Obituary are the main support, with the late John Peel’s favourite grindcore act (and Bill Steer’s former bandmates) Napalm Death third on the bill. Finally, French-Canadian prog-metal legends Voivod make a swift return to this venue, having headlined the third stage at this summer’s Temples festival.
The Tunnels, Oct 27
These days, affable yodelling Dutchman Thijs Van Leer looks like a long-lost member of The Wurzels. But he can still play the shit out of his flute and vintage Hammond B3. With original drummer Pierre Van der Linden back in the fold and the very capable Menno Goojes taking Jan Akkerman’s role on guitar, Focus’s annual visit to the Tunnels is a must for any self-respecting prog fan (though those of us who are going to Carcass have an acceptable excuse for being absent this time). Alas, they’re one of the few original progressive rock bands who don’t seem to be pulling in younger fans as a result of the welcome prog revival. And yes, Hocus Pocus, Sylvia and Saxondale theme tune House of the King are usually in the set.
Colston Hall, Oct 28
As the only former member of Genesis who seems remotely interested in keeping their music alive, guitarist Steve Hackett has been doing a roaring trade with his splendid Genesis Revisited project. And in the flamboyant Nad Sylvan, he’s found a vocalist who can handle both the Gabriel and Collins material. This time he’s promising something a little different. The first half of the show will be taken up with songs from his new solo album, Wolflight, and his very first one, Voyage of the Acolyte, in its 40th anniversary year. After that, he’s promising lots of Genesis – but not the usual stuff. Instead, we’ll get material that hasn’t been played live for years, including Get ‘Em Out by Friday and Can-Utility and the Coastliners from Foxtrot, as well as – woo-hoo! – The Cinema Show from Selling England by the Pound. He’s also got a retrospective box set out now. Entitled Premonitions, it includes 5.1 mixes by the ubiquitous Steven Wilson.
Thunderbolt, Oct 28
A regular visitor to Bristol, gap-toothed former Georgia Satellite Dan Baird has not, to our knowledge, played the Thunderbolt before now. Homemade Sin includes fellow ex-Satellite Mauro Magellan on drums and the fab Warner E. Hodges on guitar. Expect a raucous blend of Satellites classics, plus Dan’s solo hit I Love You Period (the only chart record to feature the word ‘parentheses’ in its chorus) and material from his new album, Get Loud.
Further Ahead
Here’s our essential diary of upcoming gigs that should be of interest to anyone of a rockin’ disposition, including plenty of annoying clashes.
Leaves Eyes, Marble Factory, Nov 4
Joe Satriani, Colston Hall, Nov 8
Epica/Eluveitie, Academy, Nov 11
Skindred, Academy, Nov 12
Kadavar, Marble Factory, Nov 12
Pat McManus Band, Tunnels, Nov 12
Crobot/Scorpion Child, Exchange, Nov 15
Cherrie Currie, Bierkeller, Nov 16
Uncle Acid and the Deadbeats, Fleece, Nov 18
Sepultura, Marble Factory, Nov 19
Clutch, Academy, Nov 25
Apocalyptica, Academy, Nov 29
The Zombies, Fleece, Dec 3
Fish, Academy, Dec 3
Orange Goblin, Bierkeller, Dec 4
Fear Factory, Motion, Dec 7
The Darkness, Academy, Dec 13
The Aristocrats, Bierkeller, Dec 17
Stackridge, Fiddlers, Dec 19
Ghost/Dead Soul, Academy, Dec 20
Steven Wilson, Colston Hall, Jan 26
Bowling For Soup, Academy, Feb 15
Thunder/Terrorvision/King King, Colston Hall, Feb 16
Symphony X, Bierkeller, Feb 18
Graham Bonnet, Bierkeller, Feb 19
Stiff Little Fingers/Ricky Warwick, Academy, March 6
Sabaton/Alestorm, Marble Factory, March 8
The Enid, Redgrave Theatre, March 18
Overkill, Fleece, April 12
Yes, Colston Hall, May 4
Temples Festival, ‘Secret Location’, June 2-5
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