My editors are being a bit slow this weekend(!), but when they get round to it, this'll be up at http://www.blastwave.org.uk
Headliner: Threshold
Location: Underworld, London
Rating: 9/10
Support: Power Quest, Balance Of Power
Date: Thursday 02nd September 2004
The Underworld had a nice vibe about it tonight. Filled with hardcore fans and mates of the bands, there was an undeniably friendly atmosphere at this Bloodstock Festival warm-up gig. First up on the overtly cramped stage was Power Quest. Not quite as slick as when they headlined the Underworld only a couple of months previously, the Power Metal quintet were only allotted a 30 minute set. Unfortunately, (probably due to the lack of soundman during the bands sound check) the sound quality was rather poor, with an almost complete absence of snare drum. Despite this, the boys played a fast and powerful set, with their wonderfully comical stage presence: Alessio Garavello and Andrea Martongelli really went to town on their metal face poses and the latter managed some wonderful windmilling with his blond waist-length locks. Overall, a short but sweet set let down only by the mediocre sound quality.
A quick stage change, and Balance Of Power was ready to force feed the audience their aural assault. Continuing the theme of big guitars and even bigger melodies, Balance Of Power provided a tasty variety of ballady tenderness and thrashing intensity. Vocalist Jon K is a relatively new addition to the band yet he couldnt have looked more comfortable than he does on stage tonight. His sneering gesticulations of every precise guitar stab and drum fill simply added to his slightly unnerving presence, securing his position of most psychotic frontman of the evening. However, whilst the band is definitely fun to watch, there was a distinct lack of interaction - something that could maybe be improved upon to ensure a flawless all-round performance.
Headlining tonight is Threshold, and Ill be blunt - they were on top form. With an impressive back catalogue, it must have been a somewhat arduous chore in arranging tonights setlist, yet with many songs spanning over the six minute mark, it must have been equally difficult to squeeze everything into their hour and a half slot. Opening with Mission Profile from their new album, Threshold included an array of material from across their 11 year career. With blinding accuracy, Karl Groom and Nick Midson played guitar solos in unison in The Art Of Reason and the vocal harmonies throughout are performed with equal precision. Meanwhile, consistently throughout the set the awesome talent of sticksman Johanne James is displayed with uncompromising might, leaving only an unquenchable thirst for more. A clever combination of professionalist reservation along with audience interaction keeps the crowd eager, yet it came to an end all too soon. For an encore, vocalist Mac teaseed the audience: One more? You want one more?! Sorry we dont have time. Yet having already run over their time slot, they finished off with the incredible The Long Way Home. In a word, stunning.
Headliner: Threshold
Location: Underworld, London
Rating: 9/10
Support: Power Quest, Balance Of Power
Date: Thursday 02nd September 2004
The Underworld had a nice vibe about it tonight. Filled with hardcore fans and mates of the bands, there was an undeniably friendly atmosphere at this Bloodstock Festival warm-up gig. First up on the overtly cramped stage was Power Quest. Not quite as slick as when they headlined the Underworld only a couple of months previously, the Power Metal quintet were only allotted a 30 minute set. Unfortunately, (probably due to the lack of soundman during the bands sound check) the sound quality was rather poor, with an almost complete absence of snare drum. Despite this, the boys played a fast and powerful set, with their wonderfully comical stage presence: Alessio Garavello and Andrea Martongelli really went to town on their metal face poses and the latter managed some wonderful windmilling with his blond waist-length locks. Overall, a short but sweet set let down only by the mediocre sound quality.
A quick stage change, and Balance Of Power was ready to force feed the audience their aural assault. Continuing the theme of big guitars and even bigger melodies, Balance Of Power provided a tasty variety of ballady tenderness and thrashing intensity. Vocalist Jon K is a relatively new addition to the band yet he couldnt have looked more comfortable than he does on stage tonight. His sneering gesticulations of every precise guitar stab and drum fill simply added to his slightly unnerving presence, securing his position of most psychotic frontman of the evening. However, whilst the band is definitely fun to watch, there was a distinct lack of interaction - something that could maybe be improved upon to ensure a flawless all-round performance.
Headlining tonight is Threshold, and Ill be blunt - they were on top form. With an impressive back catalogue, it must have been a somewhat arduous chore in arranging tonights setlist, yet with many songs spanning over the six minute mark, it must have been equally difficult to squeeze everything into their hour and a half slot. Opening with Mission Profile from their new album, Threshold included an array of material from across their 11 year career. With blinding accuracy, Karl Groom and Nick Midson played guitar solos in unison in The Art Of Reason and the vocal harmonies throughout are performed with equal precision. Meanwhile, consistently throughout the set the awesome talent of sticksman Johanne James is displayed with uncompromising might, leaving only an unquenchable thirst for more. A clever combination of professionalist reservation along with audience interaction keeps the crowd eager, yet it came to an end all too soon. For an encore, vocalist Mac teaseed the audience: One more? You want one more?! Sorry we dont have time. Yet having already run over their time slot, they finished off with the incredible The Long Way Home. In a word, stunning.
