As Lions Live Report

As Lions is the new vehicle for Austin Dickinson, yes his dad is Bruce in case any one reading this didn't know. His previous band was Rise To Remain and they were a melodic metalcore band. They've fully abandoned that style for a streamlined melodic modern rock motif and they are all the better for it. Of course you might lose the metalcore kids but you'll gain a whole heap of new fans that need melodic hooks in their music. Their new album has some excellent melodic song writing and very solid vocals from Austin himself although he does sound a bit boyish at times.

Two support bands were billed. First was Shadows Into Light. never heard of them obviously. The singer was on the main floor the whole time whilst singing. Sometimes rolling around on the floor in anguish as the band remained on stage. Not knowing their songs proved a bit difficult enjoyment wise but this kind of post grunge angst isn't really my cup of tea.

Main support were Brutai. They've been making a few waves in the underground with their brand of melodic modern metal. They mix vocals from screams to cleans and use stop start djenty riffs and dreamy keyboard swathes as well. They went down a bit better but still this is not the kind of music and old man like me can get into. I need stronger vocal melodies and memorability and was waiting for As Lions to provide that for me.

Finally Austin and the boys came on and launched into opening cut from their new album Selfish Age. The crowd had filled out a little more to a respectable 100 or so by now and so the As Lions fan club was in full show and effect as they sang all the words back at Austin. Of course they played the whole of their debut album in random order plus the EP. The set wasn't long but the album is not long as a whole as most of their songs are radio friendly lengths. Austin sounded very good for the most part but he was sick apparently. The band sounds good but not as amazing as they do on the cd.

Austin himself can't quite capture the perfect melodic vibe that he does on record but the crowd was loving it anyway and Austin has quite a few of his dad's mannerisms with his animated stage presence. He's definitely a confident lad. Selfish Age is a great start for the band too and the next album should be something even bigger and grander. best songs were Aftermath, White Flags, World on Fire and Selfish Age.

One thing I will say though is that Austin needs to cut out the OTT swearing on stage. It's not that cool to drop regular F Bombs like it's going out of style. The album is great but live they have room for improvement but I'll still be playing these songs come the end of the year, they are that good.

Amberian Dawn Live Review

A bit late writing this live review but better late than never! Finnish band celebrated their 10th anniversary as a band with a gig at the Boston Music Room. Unfortunately the attendance was not really good at all with barely a 100 people there. Two other bands played support with both having females on lead vocals. Crimson Sun were up first and I must admit I don't recall hearing them. They weren't terrible and her voice wasn't awful but they were no great shakes really.

Next up were Diabulus in Musica, who I believe are Spanish judging by the accents. It turns out they too were celebrating their 10th anniversary. They were a bit more dramatic and better sounding than the first band. The girl singer was very beautiful herself and very slim indeed. But she had a big operatic voice as well a cool normal singing voice. Better than the first but still not really my cup of tea. Too dramatic and not song based for me to enjoy.

Finally it was time for headliners, Amberian Dawn and boy did things spark and turn around. Immediately you could tell who was the classiest band of the night. First of all there was a dramatic improvement in the sound mix. The band's up front keys especially booming through loud and clear. Most importantly of all front gal Capri's vocals were nigh on perfect. I know they pipe in some of the operatic harmony stuff as she can't do it all but she was an absolute Goddess on the mic. She's got very beautiful round eyes and her dancing skills are very good too and she really gets into the songs.

The songs themselves were oh so memorable and very catchy indeed. The melodies flow so well and you're left with quite a happy and joyous grin on your face as you nod along. They came on quite late at quarter to 10 but played until 11 including a nice three song encore. It's a shame they didn't have more people come and see them 'cause AD are a top class female fronted euro power metal band and they proved it with a fantastic performance with Capri being the star of the show.

Hope to see them again one day!

Kobra and The Lotus Live

It's been only 8 months since I saw Kobra and her Lotuses but they were back again for another rocking performance at the Boston Music Room in Tufnell Park. Going to indoor metal shows in a middle of a heatwave is a perhaps something only a diehard metal head would do and indeed the attendance for the Kobra show wasn't huge and would have been around 150 at best. Not that it seemed to bother the band and Kobra herself as they seemed to attack the songs with great gusto and played them even sped up as it were to increase the energy levels all round. I was standing right in front at stage right, oddly enough I had a very similar position as I recall at the barfly the last time they came. More of Kobra later but first we had two support bands to get through.

Dethonator is I guess a local London band although I don't think I've heard of them. They played a traditional kind of heavy metal with clean melodic vocals from the guitarist. Quite good but not amazing although I've heard far far worse opening bands in London recently so I guess I should check out their music online 'cos they weren't bad at all.

Next up were more Londoners and Boston regulars Neuronspoiler. It seems these guys open for most bands that pass through this way. These guys are super talented instrumentalist especially the fiery little guitar wiz who plays shapes galore as he taps his frets like there's no tomorrow. Very damn nice cover of Holy Diver as well so bonus points for that guys.

Finally at 9.30 the Lotus boys took to the stage minus Kobra herself as they played the opening to High Priestess before the young metal priestess helself strode on confidently to begin singing the title track to their latest and best CD. The band was on fire and playing the songs super fast and invigorating although the sound mix was a little loud on music and it was hard to hear Kobra's superb vocals in amongst all the music. He live vocals are a little more shrill and higher pitched than her studio efforts. I guess she has to put more into it live to complete with the boys in her band. The set was energy packed and soon enough they had played most of the new album and of course regulars from the previous album too. After a rapid fire 60 minute set of sweat and plenty of energy it was time to venture out into the warm night air having been fully Kobrafied and Lotusized! Looking forward to their next album hopefully in 2016. Love ya Kobra!