Wall of Silent’s and Barbecued babies, 12/03/2011 the Factory, Palmerston north
The Factory really is a cool venue small, but can still get a few people in.
Bizarre Punishment was playing their first show and they didn’t do too bad a job. They were all young guys and it’s such an awesome sight to see the new talent coming through They played a four song set which included two covers. Their first song was an original which was not to bad showing off their style of hard rock metal. Their covers showed what their influences were and they did these with flair. Their singer although appeared fairly confident didn’t really belt out the songs with much passion but my guess that was just first gig nerves. He has a fairly strong voice but just needs to make the songs his own and relax and I’m sure it will come to him. With two guitar players they were trading leads like no tomorrow. They were able to show this off in their second cover which was Iron Maiden's Phantom of the Opera which they pulled off to near perfection. They also covered Scorpions’ Rock you like a Hurricane. It was there last song when they finally kicked into second gear. Their last track was an original and an instrumental which showcased their talent. It was pretty much a jam and by the end of it they had found their groove. Hope next time they have a few more originals so we can get a longer set. It’s always good to see the new talent stepping up.
Cephalopod has only done a few gigs but they are quickly getting a name around town. I was gutted I missed them at The Royal a few weeks before so was real excited to see them. Elise is an awesome front woman. She screams and growls like a Demon and looks the part. She really knows how to perform and the crowd got right into it. K k their guitar player is very cool chunking out some really cool riffs that I swear shook the building. They are very much Thrash orientated with a punk edge so their set was welcome but like Bizarre Punishment way too short. We got a few songs and were left wanting more. I can’t wait to see these guys again soon.
It has been over a year since Wall of Silents have played and it had been even longer since I had seen them myself and these guys didn’t take long to make up for lost time. Skeletor always has great presence and other than minor technical difficulties these guys played a blistering set. Playing tacks off all of their albums it was so good to see their brand of Horror metal. These guys are similar to Horror story in the fact that they sing about Zombies and the dead etc but they are very much a Metal band rather than punk. They do still have a little Punk and Doom flavour. I really enjoy seeing these guys and Jay their guitar player is one of my favourite local guitar players showing a real relaxed style showing himself as a true guitar player rather than just a paint by numbers guitar player. They show a real passion when they play and have a good time onstage and with the crowd. It’s always good to see interaction with the fans rather than just standing up there and singing songs and these guys have great banter with the punters. Songs like Last house on the left and Samurai went down a treat and ending on a great note with one of my favourites from their debut album Fuck off. Great to see them again hope it is not another year before we get the next show.
Barbecued Babies have been around for quite some time but the last time I saw them they didn’t have their current Singer or Bass player. Rob Brutal sounds like Satan spawned. Very much in the vein of David Vincent from Morbid Angel he growls and screams like a man possessed. Willy their guitar player lays down a solid Grind while Clancy and Luke take care of the rhythm. As far as heaviness goes these guys were the heaviest on the night delivering an awesome set of Death Metal. They have laid down a few tracks as a demo but they really need to put out an album because these guys need to be heard. The crowd fully reacted and gave this band their all with hair windmills everywhere and the pit going crazy. This band is definitely one to watch because they are on the way up.
Metal in the Manawatu is looking so good we have a great fan base and some awesome talent coming through. Bring on the next gig from all of these guys cause they will be well worth attending.
Forming in late 2003 Wall of Silents unleashed their own brand of loud and heavy noise on the unsuspecting populace of Palmerston North. A demo was recorded and after a few early shows and house parties line up changes were inevitable with members lack of commitment.
A settled line up was formed after firstly Ben in 2004 and then Skeletor in 2005 joined original members Jay and Aaron. Songs were written with a new more focused direction taking influence from punk rock n roll, heavy metal, doom and stoner rock. 2005 also saw the recording of the self titled album which one reviewer labelled as "A doom laden aural assault".
More and more shows in town as well as venturing to other parts of the lower North Island followed. New songs were written with an increase in attitude and the band recorded the album "Looking Through Cadaver Eyes" in 2008. Faster and heavier than the previous effort it showed a definite step forward.