Metal Battle 2004 @ Sherlocks

Week 1

Meet the Reviewer:

Hatchet Face

First up . . . Hatchet Face!

Well, the 1st slot on an 8 week battle of the bands is absolutely THE toughest place to be in and I feel their pain. These guys looked like a cross between Kiss and Baron Zemedie (Voodoo Doctor from Ian Flemmings "Live And Let Die"). White face with a bloody hatchet injury. These guys had passion . . . . and lots of guts to paint there faces in 2004! The drummer had lots of hair so it was hard to see the whiteface. He reminded me of a manic metal "Cousin IT" from the Addams Family. But HEY! He did a drum solo! Drum solo's were a staple of most rock acts in the late 60's - early 70's. Cool.

The music was very heavy (duh...it's a metal battle) and seemed detuned a bit. Vocals . . .if you can call them that . . . was reminicent of the garbled yelling style pioneered by Pantera. All members played their instruments very well, which, in a metal battle is almost a given.

With the proper attire they would be perfect for a band in a Freddie Kruger movie.

photo by Gary Tomporowski . review by The Reviewer

Point Zero

Second . . . Point Zero.

These guys stick in my head more than the other acts for a couple of reasons.

1. The guitarist (pictured on the left) used a wide range of tones.
2. The band employed the advanced technique of dynamics.

A couple tunes had quiter parts to them and a little bit dynamics goes a long way. Especially to set up dramatic moments. Excellent.

The lead guitarist was also able to flow with the dynamic changes. Soloing with a clean tone at one point. This is the kind of thing that grabs your attention. As long as it's not overdone . . like the band "Live" who seems to be making a career out of dynamically changing every tune. (boring)

These guys can rock. but they also have some maturity in their arrangements.

photo by Gary Tomporowski . review by The Reviewer

Hard Right

Last . . . Hard Right!

By this time I'm beaten into submission and there was no escaping Hard Right's onslaught. Maybe the Guinness is also to blame! At times . . . the vocalist seemed to be controlling the crowd. Like a puppetmaster. Either that . . . or he brought along a busload of lunatics. Can't decide which one.

Their sound , while lacking dynamic range ( when I say dynamic range I mean change in volume) , had more of an orchestrated feel to it. More complex arrangements. Almost like there was some prog rock influences buried in there.

They reminded me of Blue Cheer or The Stooges or The Dead Boys. Definitely a rust belt sound . . . Detroit style.

.photo by Gary Tomporowski . review by The Reviewer

Standings as of Week 1:

1. Hard Right
2. Hatchet Face
3. Point Zero

Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7
Week 8

M Battle

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