Reviews

Tonight's show, once again taking place at the L'Ancresse Bay Hotel, was dubbed a 'night of music for everyone' thanks to the fairly broad cross section of local music on offer.

From the emo-pop-rock of The Escape Fall to the old school death metal of Ferox there certainly was a broad, if rock based, selection, however by the end of the night one was left with the feeling it had a been a night of music for no one as the audience was so small.

Silas The Assyrian Assassin.

First up on stage was Silas The Assyrian Assassin, or Andy (formerly of Vietnameasles) as he is otherwise known. Carrying on where his old band left Andy's style of punked up shambolic covers and unique originals can provide an entertaining set if you let it.

Tonight though the audience were largely distant, save for a few who clearly the enjoyed the tunes. Appearing something like Billy Bragg without the social conscience and with an element of the hardcore style Vietnameasles made their own.

What really stood out in his set were the original songs, 'Office Bike' and 'Wheelchair Blues' which were hugely entertaining for those of a certain disposition, and special mention has to be made to the Napalm Death cover played in a Ska style which got one somewhat over enthusiastic crowd member attempting a pit all by himself.

Nick of Iron Cobra.

Next up came southern metallers Iron Cobra who are presently riding the crest of a new worldwide southern metal revolution led by the likes of Down and Maylene And The Sons Of Disaster. As ever Cobra's sound has continued to grow and evolve and tonight they hit a steady and pounding groove from the off and didn't let up until the end of signature tune 'Dead Man’s Hand'.

If the band continues to get reactions like they did tonight and keep playing to this standard, they could be Guernsey's next huge metal prospects and the addition of some cowbell to a few songs definitely helped.

Following the massive reception received by Iron Cobra the atmosphere took a bit of a downward turn when The Escape Fall took to the stage. Once again their emo inspired pop-rock felt somewhat out of place amongst the heavier bands and the crowd, while appreciative, seemed less than enthusiastic throughout the set.

The Escape Fall.

This was a shame as The Escape Fall are incredibly tight as a band and the recent addition of a second guitar and inclusion of extra backing vocals has really increased the depth of the sound fantastically.

Having seen bands playing this kind of music with this level of competence sell out comparatively large venues in the UK, I get the impression The Escape Fall are a band who have yet to find their audience in Guernsey, but, when they do, they have the songs and ability to be something very special.

Going from one extreme to the other, finally on stage tonight were death metallers Ferox. Having taken a break from live performing over the summer to record their debut album, they returned tonight with a new intensity which once again served to show just what sort of brutal noise three people can make.

Matt of Ferox.

Displaying their old school death metal influences with even more clarity tonight, and with moments that came across like vintage speed metal added into the bargain, they should have left the stage tonight triumphant.

However for some reason the crowd had shrunk to no more than 30 people by this point and while those who stuck it through were truly appreciative no one seemed to want to get moving and this left the night with something of a flat feeling.

All four of the acts provided entertaining sets in their own ways it's just a shame there wasn't much of a crowd their to witness a lot of it as they all have an audience over here even if not all of them have quite found it yet.