After Friday evening’s NWOBHM flavoured event Saturday leaned more towards doom metal. The acts varied in quality as well as sound.
First up were newcomers Cruel Mother. They appeared to tick a lot of boxes for me but their lack of experience showed once they started playing. The first few numbers didn’t seem to gel, with the two vocalists and the fiddler being held back by the drummer and rhythm guitarist. I left to get a beer and on my return they seem to have got a bit more into the swing of things with their last number. I hope to check them out in the future to see if they have learnt from the experience.
Next up were Orphan Gears whose more standard heavy metal was very well presented and made for an entertaining set. They would be welcome on a wide range of heavy metal bills as a strong support or maybe even headliners with the right bands.
It’s not often nowadays that a band plays a set that really blows me away. I have seen (and shot) Gévaudan several times before and have always enjoyed them. This time they played a set which I have added to my “best sets I have seen” list. I wasn’t sure whether they were referencing the Hammers or the fact that the Cart & Horses are very forward in their link Maiden with the scarf on the drumkit.
Finally we had Alunah. Whilst not reaching the stellar heights of the previous band, they played a very good headline set and topped off the evening well.