Reviews

Today was yet another exciting night for music in Guernsey as yet another venue opened it's doors to the many fans of local music who are under 18 years old. The L'Ancresse Bay Hotel was a surprising venue, but one that, it turns out, leant itself perfectly to hosting bands with a clear stage area and large dance floor, that unfortunately tonight wasn't used to its full potential.

But enough about the room, the night was of course about the bands, and first up were death metallers Ferox.

Matt from Ferox.

In the past Ferox have been a brutally pummelling force of heavy-duty noise, tonight however, especially at the start of the set, something seemed to be missing. While they played with their usual skill and precision both Matt and Jonny seemed to be lacking the confidence that has marked them as such a force in the past.

There are several reasons that could possibly explain this and the most apparent and likely is that the crowd just didn't really seem to be getting into the music on this occasion. All standing at a polite distance, the gathered mass in the room seemed appreciative of the music if not as into it as usual, by the end of the set however Ferox seemed to have over come this.

Closing their set with storming renditions of their own theme song, 'Cannibal Ferox', and 'Insides Out At The Mortuary Gates', the band had hit their stride, however, overall tonight was far from the bands best.

None more metal? Jack from MyLastVictory.

Following Ferox were MyLastVictory who hit the stage tonight as a band with a lot of pent up emotion to release and looking like they had something to prove after their aborted show in Brighton last week.

They took this energy and used it to its maximum potential as they careened through a set of old favourites and new explosions of sound. While the old songs went down as well as ever, with 'This Summer (There Will Be No Mercy)' once again proving itself the band's breakout track. The new songs proved just as popular and displayed a more traditional metal sound, especially during some of Josh's guitar parts, while still incorporating the bands trademark extreme metalcore style.

For their last number we were treated to a surprise appearance by the band's sometime second guitarist Luke Vidamour on vocals, alongside front man Jack Fletcher, for a roaring run through 'Self Destruction (Seeking Salvation)' from the 'Bury These Thoughts' EP. However throughout, the crowd once again didn't seem totally into it tonight, some got going for few songs, but not to the degree MyLastVictory are known for and deserve.

Josh of MyLastVictory.

Jack at one point made reference to the crowd being full of "posers with cameras" and I agree he has a point as there were at least six people with cameras standing at the front, often in the pit area, thus making dancing a challenge for those who wanted to and creating a barrier between the band and those there to just listen to the music and have a good time. (I will freely admit to being such a person with a camera, however I like to think I try and keep out of the way, bands please tell me if I'm getting in the way).

Finally UK band Sufforance took the stage to treat us to a blast of their semi-'trancecore' sound. Combining standard metalcore sounds with synthesisers the band seemed to be trying for an original take on the modern metal genre, however the impression I got tonight was that of a mess of noise.

Fil from Sufforance.

While all the band members sounded great individually, especially the two vocalists and old school guitar solos, their sounds at times really didn't gel together and, as a listener, I felt somewhat lost in a mess of music.

When Sufforance's music did coalesce into a cohesive sound it really did start to hit the spot, however tonight this happened less than it didn't causing an overall confused sound that failed to connect with me, and seemingly many other members of the audience.

Once again they seemed to suffer from the evening's less than enthusiastic audience, however, the bands lack of between song stage presence made their performance seem disjointed. Sufforance should, though, be credited for their individual musicianship and attempt at doing new things with a genre that can very easily become stayed and repetitive, tonight however it just didn't connect with me.

At the end of the day all three bands put on a valiant show in the face of a less than energetic crowd, but once again MyLastVictory owned the night and I only hope the next time they try and break away from these shores the 'Victory Curse' (as they dubbed it) doesn't rear its ugly head again.