Slipknot

review of zimbalam unsigned battle of the band by Dyamond its long PLEASE READ :) muchly thanked if you do x

Zimabalam battle of the bands review (by the way its long) After a quick 20 min rehearsal, the band jump the car and set off; driving up the A2 to London with the sounds off zepplin as we enter bexley heath. chatting about old band members, gigs and joking now we're somewhere in jolly old London where the battle of the bands is taking place a crimson victorian style hall with a small stage with a stained carpet...that's rock and roll for you. Only big enough for a 3 piece drum kit

its a shamble really amps, pick-up and wires nothing to high brow but it does have 3 mics A few other bands are here now maybe 3. the tech starts for a little sound check, people on phones, people talking others setting up the room still fully lit looking at the other bands nerves can't been seen but they'll be shown soon. riffs now flow through the air now licks followed by a bass line...off to the side alight chat band mates talking eating sorting wires and pedals moving gear; friendly jokes waiting

drink&eating passed gig reminisced. practice unplugged electrics. its not a scene here. the distant sounds of the other bands talking amongst themselves but not to another, rather tribal. lights are now being set six large spotlights, two show lights and various small coloured lights. Quick shots of drum cymbals band talk tech now tuner, amp set-ups. sounds being checked this time by another band deep riffs heavy bass lines quick pointy licks light drum patters just a sound check

BACK STAGE

in the backstage area which is under the stage a tiny cellar painted back one wall bored signed by bands of the passed however tonight light licks can be heard bands putting down equipment. A band in the corner singing and playing some members are sign the wall with their myspace and band logo's going over lyrics doing vocal warm-ups waiting...

SHOW ROOM Music fills the air from the huge speakers from the sound rig. Bands still in their set places but now the drinks a-flowing (the bars open)

Its 7:15

In one of the groups the bass player and the drummer have a muck about jokes of stage diving and chatting only a few beers deep nerves can be seen a little now. The other bands all talking,eating and laughing The rooms started to liven up filling with bands friends/girlfriends/boyfriends & family or any support they have got. All waiting for the band to see their set. The stage is set up for the first band.

the light go off a light glow is left of the different colours

the first band goes on no name, no need heavy riff deep bass joined with a spidery guitar solo being kept by a hard rock beat the whole room is vibrating. The singers voice is straight but rough and clear like james hetfield mixed with m.shadows this song has a great webby fingered solo with the lead singer voice joined by the drummer.

In all this band -Eighth deadly sin are apart of the next up and coming sound moreover they do keep to the old rock sounds of metallica and trivium but bring a new element too. Even though these guys didn't even come fourth in the battle i think this unsigned band should be getting some coverage as their down to earth music can make you move a grove.

www.myspace.com/eighthdeadlysinband "so what did you think of tonight? i thought i was fucking awesome, everyone should play here this place was amazing says craig the lead singer/lead guitar so do you thinking you've got a chance of winning? no laughs who are your influences slash, G'n'R BMTH yes emo bass player" haha "how well did you think you did ? well i think we did pretty well, we did need a bit more of a crowd and enjoyed the other bands if you could pick another band to win who would it be ? sapphire burning do you anything special before you go on stage ? errmm i get drunk other than that nothing else because i don't really get nerves wow well i hope you do well you look really tired, go a long ride home ? yes actually gotta get the train, then i'm driving the rest, its after 10 and i should be in bed" and laughs.

10 minuets pass its time for the next band this time a crowds by the stage calling names people already with cameras, some even putting drinks on stage for the band, just by the side of the small stage the band can be seen waiting to jump on and go. The rooms filled with heat now with only the glow of one spotlight the crowd goes silent...then flash,flash,flash,red,blue and green the stage is lit.

Up next sapphire burning these guy really draw in the crowed and not just because they've brung one, a four piece band with their eyes only on one thing winning with shouts and calls from people in the room the guys set of straight to to a song called "special place" opened with a huge power solo leading into a chill bridge solo then on to a smooth melodic course with a deep bass and hard but hitting drum beat these guys know what they're doing. This song teases the crowd with hard and heavy to soft its got beauty and punch packed will of solos from both guitar players this song have range from hard to soft rock as did all their songs

they did what they said they were gunna do play classic hard rock. sapphire burning show their roots bikers and rock, really showing rock has a heart of gold. When it comes to it you can have it all with this band because they have that catchy hook about them(along with the presence) listening to their set they went from classic to jazz to hard, its hard to find a band with that much control such as sapphire burning's they weren't dancing like david lee or head banging but enough to fill the room a real rock show, these guys put up a fight. worth listening to if you want what could be the next biggest rock band then this could be it. http://www.myspace.com/sapphireburning

words from the crowd what did you think of the band? "i very much enjoyed it my favourite song was jack the ripper" "orgasmic however i didn't like the jack song it scared me" "it was amazing its pleased the crowd you know really got them moving" "these guys are one of the best bands ever and have only been along time time something only like 9 months" sapphire burning should have a album coming out some time in 2010.

The halls filled with congratulations but anticipation the crowds changed all await for the next band. the sweet smell of alcohol and humidity can take your breath away if you move it quick although there's a feeling in the air something going to happen excitement maybe or are expectations to high ? only 5 minuets left...

"krystal vayne are fanatic i've been following them i've never missed a gig their music its brilliant they each have a different sound you know one listen to old another heavy him there he listen to death you know all different classic to punk rock i mean, you know they're like the the red hot chill peppers . To describe them into one word; one sound bit like the foo fighters they have a myspace www.myspace.com/krystalvayne" a man that walks over, then from amongst the crowd brings forward a woman who says "their awesome i love them, their like rock but easy listening and the all write the music. Its an all round sound"

they walk on stage not even to looking at the crowd, with the room still dark and the crowd at a hush waiting...waiting for that first pick of the leading guitar which starts of slowly with twin riffs then opens up with a heavy drum and a riding bass line which is then complemented by the singers voice who sounds a bit like new found glory. this band crowed pleaser they talked to hte crowed got them to join in but the sound these guy have created is mind-blowing they go from punk to iron maiden without even breaking a sweat; hardcore and melodic

Krystal vayne are a FUCKING-A band for the solo's to the drum patterns if your a goth or just a plain skater they are mind blowing this is a band that i cant wait to get signed they are what the music scene needs no more scene shit no emo pop but easy rock something that anyone can listen to. With only a 30 minuet set Krystal Vayne won this round of battle of the bands i highly recommend this band of highly skilled musians but also because when they were on stage they owned the room but didn't even look bothered i admire that http://www.myspace.com/krystalvayne quote from the crowd "OH MY GOD THIS ISN'T REAL"

Its late and with a breath-taken crowd the next to play have high expatiations. which is a great shame for the next band or maybe just maybe they were put in the wrong level ? 10 minuets pass after and a six piece walks on stage...

yes a six piece; two girls.. singing and for guys.. all playing guitars and drums at this point these guys are lucky for two reasons 1, they had their own crowd 2, for the girls-a yummy front man and four guys pretty girl (the other one wasn't)

now to start off this i can't even bring myself to say sorry.

a slow tap drum beat with a fairy sounding guitar the lead singer a pretty thing however she was singing through her nose and shame about the other one accompanying here however they both did sound like paramore. a main thought while they were play was If barbie did a band this is what it would sound like purely for the fact it was simple music with the same line reaped then half way out of the blue a guy chimes..yes chimes in under the two girls.

at times they were bouncy but it was like paramore mixed with jefferson aeroplane mixed with folk or possibly taylor swift mixed with high school musical. Nightlight is a simple sounding band the closest to rock reference is by a stretch the plain white T's and that is a long shot .//www.myspace.com/nightlightuk

so after that. hope did fill the room at this point of the night the place is full and most people are just waiting. the next band get on the stage the lead singer/guitar has broken his leg so that gave extra time to let expectations rise,

the best song from the whole set was the second song which really go the crowd moving. the guitar had light tingly fingered riffs with a whiney bass and simple drum but gladly all the songs were short unfortunately there was more of the than the other bands. not much can be said for the LSD Blues but the funny names of their songs

they sound all to much the the radio friendly bands of today even if at time they did go light grunge it was all to much King of leon and hard-fi which the crowd ate up or bobbed along to the almost same sounding da,da,da bass and guitar for your indie you'd go for this http://www.myspace.com/lsdblues

so its pretty late and most people know who they are voting for. this late at night many people here tonight by now are drunk or are just super tired, mix that with a warm room full of people and then the last band come on and its amazing the crowd size they got to move.

the last band on with out even looking at the list you could tell they are a punk band. with a heavy drum but a punchy bass and stringy guitar a small roar from the crowd shows this bands worth a listen with a singer sound like the sex pistols and a safteypin sound that brings back the punk core moment but smart enough to use catchy lyrics then night went down alot better with these guys however the drummer did love his hi-hat a tad to much which gave a crue sound to the set Filthy night have range but keep it punk RATM meets the sex pistols and pop. they give energy but only got a little back which was a shame however, more cult band than anything http://www.myspace.com/thesefilthynights

with the night now over and a long ride home for most of the band the winners go off partyin' the losers go of sad. it goes to show that unsigned bands do work for their shows, maybe some of them should re-think what their doing.