|
TURNSTONE / FENRIR
12th April 2004
By Terry Bullen
Last week saw the stakes raised yet again, in what is turning out to be an extremely high standard competition. This week (week 7) had the Easter bunny delivering us two more great bands to admire.
Fenrir:
First on stage were the five piece heavy rock band Fenrir, with the well know “Radar” on bass. The band certainly had the heavy rock look about them and for the majority of their set had the sound to go with it. The musicians in the band were good but they didn't really set the place alight, with the exception of the phenomenal young guitarist, who injected some awe inspiring riffs and power chords into the bands set. The band opened their set with three covers back to back; Metallica “For Whom The Bell Tolls”, Dio “Holy Diver” and Thin Lizzy “Cold Sweat”. Performing these songs back to back seemed to give the set momentum and by the fourth song the band was in full flow, as a sea of head bangers covered the front of the stage. The fourth song was an accomplished cover of the Ozzy Osbourne classic “Mr Crowley”. This song was obviously a favourite for the young guitarist, as he seemed to adore every second of the song and delivered a capturing slice of brilliance on his guitar. He was ably supported by some nifty work on bass from “Radar”, as he aimed his bass guitar towards the crowd like a loaded machine gun.
Mid set saw Fenrir reveal the first and best of their three originals “No Old Heroes”. This song was well constructed and started out slow before revving up into a rousing finish. The band followed this with an exquisite cover of “Bewitched” by the group Candlemass. This song contained some great drumming and it had obviously been well practised, as the band was really together throughout. This was followed by the bands second original of the night “Hour Of The Wolf”, which didn't really capture me and was easily forgettable. The vocalist then announced the next track “Iron Man” by the legendary Black Sabbath. At this point I immediately thought to myself that this was a risky move by the band, as I just couldn't picture them pulling off the distinctive Sabbath sound. But to be fair the band produced a very good effort that left me somewhat surprised - 8/10. The bands third and final original “With Sword and Shield” followed this, but unfortunately was disrupted by a couple of immature idiots running on to the stage. The band showed great control and went on to finish the song, while the bouncers ejected the two clowns from the Arena.
Fenrir closed their set with two more covers; “Symphony of Destruction” from Megadeath and “Paranoid” by the mighty Sabbath. The Megadeath song delighted the head bangers at the stage, as they catapulted their heads back and forth in appreciation of the band before them. Unfortunately for Fenrir their final song “Paranoid” was weak throughout and brought the set to a rather limp finish.
I have no doubt that Fenrir gave it their all, but is their all going to be enough in this years competition? The band enjoyed themselves on stage and they did produce a good set overall. I don't think they currently have what it takes to be around at the latter stages but they should make the next round. The standard has been so high this year that there will be some very good bands who won't get through but Fenrir shouldn't have any worries.
Turnstone:
The five piece band Turnstone were next to take the stage, with a set of covers and originals heavily influenced by The Beatles and Rolling Stones. The band was full of accomplished musicians, which was noticeable right from the off, as the band seemed at home on the stage. The two guitarists, bass player and drummer were complimented brilliantly by the amazing vocalist and his occasional tambourine playing. Turnstone were very tight in their performance and showed no signs of nerves or uncertainty on stage. The lead singer was like a young Mick Jagger, as he strutted about the stage, while singing to the crowds throughout.
They began their set with one of my favourite Beatles songs “I Want To Hold Your Hand”. This was delivered with fineness and straight away showed the qualities and togetherness of the band. The band followed this with another rousing classic “Jumpin Jack Flash” by the rock n roll legends, the Rolling Stones. Turnstone then delivered their first two originals “Give It Everything You've Got” and “Scorpion”, which were met with a good reaction from the impressed crowd. They followed their first two originals with their best cover of the night, as we were treated to an astonishingly good vocal in The Kinks classic “Till The End Of The Day”. As with all bands the making of them can be the originals, as these really give you an insight into the bands qualities and hidden depths. The originals we've heard so far in this years competition have been of a very high standard and with Turnstone it was no different. The bands influences were very much apparent in their originals and they delivered every one of them with pride and some very good singing from the gifted vocalist, Guy Nottage. The Stones-esque original “When I Get You Alone” was a very catchy tune and the song “Don't Be Denied” was delivered with a real sense of zeal and was entwined with a brilliant guitar solo and some fantastic harmonised vocals.
Towards the end of the set the band delivered another outstanding original “Feena Roulette”, which for me was the best of their originals, as Guy delivered yet another consistently impressive vocal. The band followed this with two more covers; The Beatles “Twist and Shout” and “Brown Sugar” by the Stones. Both of these songs were delivered masterfully, as people filled the floor to dance and show their appreciation of a very musically talented outfit. The band closed their set with a song called “Take The Long Road”, which was yet again performed well but didn't come across as the best song to end a set with.
Turnstone are most definitely the tightest band we've seen so far (no it doesn't mean they don't get their rounds in at the bar!) and their musical ability is second to none. However I would like to see them mix the covers up a bit, as The Beatles and Rolling Stones are two of the greatest ever bands but it would've been nicer to have heard a few other classic covers mixed in with them. The band should also think of sticking another one or two originals in their set, as they've obviously got more great material in the repertoire. Turnstone will have no problem in making the next round and have got all the credentials to be there at the end.
|
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
