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I.C.O.N / ANVIL / UDO
MANCHESTER CLUB ACADEMY
13/04/2016
REVIEW BY LINZI ANNE
I.C.O.N
We finally got in the venue after the front desk misplaced the press/guest lists making us wait for ages in the lobby, therefore we only managed to catch the first bands last song.
Up First are I.C.O.N who are a 4 piece Hard Rock/Metal band.
These guys have currently been on a European tour visiting the likes of the Netherlands, Belgium and France touring their ‘Blacklist’ album.
These guys have a very dark and deep sound, almost sinister like and this is what comes out in their music lyrically.
With fast paced songs such as ‘Welcome to my war’ which is catchy and upbeat, Larry Patterson belts out some thunderous drum rolls, while Scott Knowles is lashing out some insane riffs.
The bass is very intense and delivered assertively from Reece Bevan which emphasises the vocals from Mark Sagar which are strong and powerful .
As a group these guys are tight, no flaws, just balls to the wall good hearty pure metal at its finest.
ANVIL
Its no secret that im a big fan of these guys, they are true to what they do and they go from strength to strength.
Anvil are a 3 piece from Canada, who are diehard old school metallers.
Their dvd ‘ Anvil the story of Anvil’ shows you how these guys never truly got the credit they deserved, and how they never quite achieved the status as one of the top dogs in the music industry, but after all the knocks these guys never gave up, they live to play and its in their hearts and thats what being a true musician is all about.
You have to watch their movie directed by Sacha Gervasi to truely understand the high and lows of what these guys went through and how they still overcome all obstacles thrown in their way, their dedication to their music pushes them through.
Their lyrics are simplistic and catchy, played with enthusiasm, their passion on stage and showmanship draws you in like a moth to a flame.
Steve ‘lips’ Kudlow on guitar blasts out some strong riffs while playing ‘Mothra’, while Robb Reiners incredible Drumming skills leave me in awe, with lightning quick beats and solos, he pounds out some incredible rhythms, one of the finest drummers i have ever witnessed play.
With slick dynamic these guys have pulled it together once again for their fans.
Their new bass player Chris Robertson aka Christ as the band call him fits perfectly like hes always been part of the band, mad as a box of frogs with such a lovely personality, youd think hes always been here.
The fans chant along with the likes of ‘Badass Rock n Roll’ which gets everyone buzzing, the mood is electric here in this room tonight.
Their power and energy for old school metallers still shines through their performance, showing younger bands that they have still got it.
True to their form and their vibrant bursts of energy gets the crowds pumped up wanting more.
They finish their set with ‘Metal on Metal’ , true to form all fans salute them with the metal horns in the air while singing along to this Anvil classic.
With frantic drum solos, Robb pounding on every drum on his kit along with some gravelly bass these guys have it all.
https://www.facebook.com/anvilmetal/?fref=ts
UDO
This was my first time catching this band.
UDO Dirkschneider made his breakthrough in the early 80’s with the notorious ACCEPT, to which he formed in his hometown of Solingen, Germany.
UDO is an accomplished german metal band founded by lead singer UDO Dirkschneider, and for such a small guy with a straight to the point attitude to music, this is a band not to be reckoned with.
They start the night with ‘Starlight’ which instantly gets the crowds buzzing, and carry on through their set with classics such as ‘Restless and Wild’ and ‘Son of a bitch’ which keeps the crowds pumped.
UDO have a very Judas Priest feel to them, with alot of percussion, thundering guitar and high falsetto.
With fast paced songs and some melodic, songs change pace very quick with some distortion and synths thrown in for good will.
Dirks vocals go from a clear talk/singing to very high octave which is very distinct and powerful.
They carry on throughout the night with songs such as ‘Losers and Winners’ and ‘Balls to the wall’, which are played energetically with alot of enthusiasm, with infectious choruses and diverse style of AOR mixed with Power Metal in this diverse performance.
The crowds singing along with songs such as ‘Restless & Wild’ and ‘Son of a Bitch’ have made the crowds transfixed, all chanting along in unison, such a well-received performance has ended this night in a true power metal style.
This dynamite performance was one not to be missed they have made their mark here at this venue tonight.