Reviews

While new soul and funk band Project EMU were playing their second gig of the weekend at The Doghouse a considerably different musical experience awaited those at the St Margaret's Lodge as a trio of bands showed just how heavy Guernsey can get.

First up were the youngest and, at first appearance, most out of place band of the night, The Archetype Formation. Looking like a run of the mill metalcore band, tonight they showed that they have the sound and ability to be much more than that.

The Archetype Formation.

Playing mostly a selection of covers the band defied my expectations to be not only surprisingly heavy, but also possessing that rare and special thing that is stage presence.

With a mobile guitarist and bassist, thanks to a wireless set up on the instruments, the band were able to be much more versatile in their movements than most and, upon realising the audience weren't yet in the mood for dancing, the band did their utmost to fill the space in front of the stage, all the time delivering a note perfect sounding performance.

The only low point of The Archetype Formation's set came when guitarist Murky's wireless equipment stopped working during the bands rendition of Killswitch Engage anthem 'My Last Serenade', however, to their credit a few cables were hastily swapped and they were back to full force by the next blasting song.

With Kobrakai's surprisingly brutal voice at its centre, The Archetype Formation show the promise to become a big thing at the heavier end of the local music scene and, if they can get some of their own material together, I could see big things in this young band's future.

Next up things reached their pinnacle of heaviness as the heaviest band I have ever seen grace a local stage, Ferox, unleashed their death metal onslaught.

Matt of Ferox.

With song titles like 'Multiple Stab Wounds', 'Ten Thousand Bodies' and 'Insides Out At The Mortuary Gates' it was clear this wasn't going to be the worlds most 'easy listening' act. Tonight, however Ferox surpassed themselves in terms of brutality.

The last time I saw this band I said "the lightest band you can compare them too are early Metallica and Slayer" and tonight I would up things to say the lightest band you could compare them too was simply Slayer or possible someone even heavier than that.

With increased tightness of performance and sound and even more confidence than when I saw them last, Ferox tonight really showed any of the youngsters who think they are 'true metal' that they have some work to do to reach these standards.

The circle pit kicks off.

With Matt's voice growling, roaring and screaming like some demented demon torn straight from Hell and Piere's drumming making the room shake with their ferociousness Ferox certainly showed that they deserve to be headlining nights of heavy music, and all within the first year of their existence in this form.

Last and by no means least tonight were veteran extreme metalcore favourites My Last Victory. Taking to the stage in a stripped down form as a four piece, without second lead guitarist Luke Vidamour, tonight the band pulled out all the stops to give one of the most ferocious performances I have ever seen them play.

Josh of My Last Victory.

Playing a selection of songs from their 'Bury These Thoughts' record, alongside a few new songs, the band almost literally tore the house down as Jack Fletcher screamed and sang his lungs out face to face with the audience, who were screaming most of the words back, when not engaged in some truly brutal moshing (even getting a circle pit going at one point).

The band's new material, I believe getting its live debut tonight, stood up well against their more established songs and in parts even surpassed them with its varied musicianship. Being both more extreme in some places and more melodic in others the bands new songs (tonight dubbed 'Angels' and 'Airwaves' in, possibly mocking, tribute to former Blink 182 front man Tom De Longe) show My Last Victory really could have what it takes to make it off the island, as they hope to do with their upcoming shows in the UK.

Tonight the band really seemed to connect with the crowd even more so than in the past and Jack came across as far less arrogant and demanding a front man than in some previous performances, however he still displayed the necessary confidence to deliver a stellar performance.

Seann of My Last Victory.

And all the while he was backed up by the shredding lead guitar of his brother Josh and the pounding bass of James Mc Phail. Special note tonight goes to Seann Bewey whose drumming really helped My Last Victory achieve extra heaviness and extremity tonight.

This triumvirate of bands showed just how healthy and vibrant Guernsey's heavy music scene is at present and how, in Ferox and The Archetype Formation, there is hope for this to continue for years to come.