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GIG REVIEW: M2TM: Scotland 2023 - Dundee Heat
https://www.facebook.com/events/719685049310523 Bands: Oceans On Fire, Volcano X, Uganda’s Moonshine Epidemic, Kurnel Fist Right on cue and again excellently presented by Big Paul’s Slow Dragon Music the next edition of Bloodstock‘s Metal To The Masses returns to Dundee. Pitting 4 of Tayside’s most respected metal acts against each other to win their spot at Bloodstock 2023. This year competing…
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GIG REVIEW: VOLCANO X, THEE RAG N BONE MAN & TYRANNUS
GIG REVIEW: VOLCANO X, THEE RAG N BONE MAN & TYRANNUS
https://www.facebook.com/events/1085035762129700 Bands: Volcano X, Thee Rag N Bone Man, Tyrannus Radical Rad Apples has been the Dundee the home of hardcore this year, and for me as much as hardcore is in my blood my heart still beats strongly for metal. So when it was announced that some black metal was returning to the former Conroys basement I made sure I was present! In the blog, I have…
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GIG REVIEW: Immortal Omen Single Launch
GIG REVIEW: Immortal Omen Single Launch
https://www.facebook.com/events/1001771220737005Bands: A Life Without You, Volcano X, Immortal Omen Before I got stuck into this gig I first had to sample the delights of the hosting venue (formally known as Conroys and its Basement): the Vegan Restaurant Rad Apples. I can certainly give props to many elements of what I was served. Asking for a “quick-bite” from their menu I ordered the “Bacon”…
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EP Review: Volcano X - The Eruption
EP Review: Volcano X – The Eruption
Proclaiming boldly that “The World Needs Heavy Metal” Dundee’s minions in Volcano X are trying to fulfil that need with their own variety of traditional metal they play. Spearheading what they hope is the next NWOBHM movement influencers, this EP certainly made some tremors in the local scene, but is this a start of a true eruption. This Demo with an older line-up really got their ball rolling,…
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GIG REVIEW: Oliver Dawson’s Saxon - Dundee show Sat 6th April
GIG REVIEW: Oliver Dawson’s Saxon – Dundee show Sat 6th April
Oliver Dawson’s Saxon – Dundee show Sat 6th April
Bands: Oliver/Dawson Saxon, Volcano X
https://www.facebook.com/events/1957818150942211/
The old Beat Generator the venue for this show, from a place that is getting more and more of a reputation for either old school punk, uninteresting indie bands or a multitude of cover and tribute bands. The night band has all there an air of the later,…
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Gig Review: Oliver Dawson's Saxon - Dundee show Sat 6th April
Bands: Oliver/Dawson Saxon, Volcano X
https://www.facebook.com/events/1957818150942211/
The old Beat Generator the venue for this show, from a place that is getting more and more of a reputation for either old school punk, uninteresting indie bands or a multitude of cover and tribute bands. The night band has all there an air of the later, another tribute, but things as they turned out, were much different. The first thing of note was the crowd this time, was populated with lots of the older generation this time. Although it was missing a few familiar faces, this a gig for the old schoolers, or those that missed out in seeing Lords of the Land festival in Glasgow the same night. All were there were merry and filled the place nicely in time for the music to start.
First up and filling the one and only support slot for this gig was Volcano X, a band I've wanted to cover for some time. They have some strong connections to my musical youth of early gigs and have become quite the staple in the area. They play with a traditional heavy metal sound that is fist pounding a full of power. This gig for them was no different for them as the blasted out some triumphant songs.
The guitar work provided smooth and Maiden influenced harmonies and some brut riffage too. Excellent stuff! Guitarist JP in an odd steampunk tophat has some high ability, lacking only in a little confidence to bring that extra added touch to his on-stage presence. The other side of the guitar was taken up by former member (also ex-Dirty Judas) Mike Bell has taken up the reins for them a few times to fill in for their absent at times Spaniard permanent member Danny (this time only absent due to his stag do in the homeland). Mike though only a stand-in he had much more laid back vibe to him while certainly delivering the riffs. The rhythm section included another ex-Dirty Judas alumni was old fella Gavin who bashed away effectively in the back like a machine, adding the necessary speed and performance that makes it all click together like lego. Bass provided by Robi rumbled along smoothly too with grace and fuzz that made the effort rewarding despite being understyled.
The instrumental side of would be all for nothing in the powerful and classic style they play if they were not behind anything but a worthy and prominent frontman! Vocalist Johnny Steel or Norrie as I knew him back in the nostalgic days of early gigs and seeing in political groove metallers Self Made Man is not one for shyness. Verging on theatrical, his style is bold and energic on stage with his movements and prompts. While his high anthemic singing is full of personality and talents. In the power metal inspired style while staying rooted in classic metal. There were a few cliched moves in there and moments that don’t work as well for an early band (such as introducing each band member), that might knock a few points of with some people. Depending on how much parmesan you like on your metal, they leave little to disappoint. Ending on the metal or die anthem “This is Heavy Metal” their set certainly made an impact on a few and the made for a fine introduction for the nights metal and shows why the world needs Heavy Metal [8/10]
The crowd suitably warmed up it was time for the main show Oliver/Dawson Saxon. Now as the band name implies this band has a connection to another band. Saxon [duh!]. For those who are unaware, OD Saxon, all started way back in the nineties when former members Graham Oliver and Steve Dawson tried to resurrect the band and name of Son of a Bitch (one of Saxon's original monikers). This attempt lead, however, to them entering into disputed territory with the still existent Bif Byford-lead version of the band. Cumulating in a lawsuit and the creation of this band and there now being two competing versions of Saxon out there (both of which I happened to of seen live too). The History lesson out of the way, they kicked off their set into full force.
With the band's songwriters onboard, they own the rights to play the most memorable of the Saxon early catalog. From the 79' debut classic to “Crusader” through “Denim and Leather” to “Wheels of Steel” and “Strong Arm of the Law” albums. All of which are chock-full of classics and well-known cuts. They had no shortage of material to play and get the crowd and party fully started in no time at all. The classic songs that I think all metalheads are at least familiar with, were played to perfection in a glorious set. Virtually nothing at fault in any of the instrumentation. The duo of Oliver/Dawson are more just seasoned musicians and veterans. They a practical elderly in terms of how long they have played these songs and toured. [keep living the dream!]
Though between the two of them, there is a distinct energy level difference. Oliver on lead guitar is very much full of life and energetic as can be expected from a 60+ year-old rocker. Compared to the “almost dead” energy level of Dawson (Bass) for the first two-thirds of the set (this might be a “loading time” issue.) The Vocals are the only obvious difference from the as on the LP sound of the bands material. The thick accented old northerner Bri Shaughnessy is a very entertaining frontman and singer with an easy attitude and impressive range. His singing style is in the same vein as Bif with only minor touches of difference in tones here and there. Between the songs he was very funny and honest, and in keeping very much with the spirit of the songs, he is presenting, notably giving all the dues to the duo of songwriters he shares the stage with.
It was not all old fogies on stage though, the drummer Paul Oliver (son of the lead guitarist) was excellent at the skins in the back, working well as a father and son combo adding some new blood to the package on stage, with the guitarist Gavin Coulson too, all worked wonders on stage to do all these classic songs more than justice!
Overall this was an amazing night of somewhat nostalgia driven fun for the crowd and me, that they make some clarification about the other Saxon. Bif's Saxon is now and has been for a while a massive arena-filling band. As a result, they feel more distant and dislodged from their roots. While ODS is an exactly the opposite, much closer. By playing these smaller clubs and venues, it gives us the strongest feelings of what it must have been like: to see Saxon way back in 1979 in the early days of the band the glory days of the NWOBHM. As the final tunes of “Denim and Leather” and And the “Band Played On” played out it really did feel like I'd time-warped back one of those crazy nights! Superb! [9/10]
