BATTLE FOR BLOODSTOCK HEAT 1 - ABYSS - MANTORA - VULGATE - HUNTER/KILLER (07/03/14) @ THE IVY, SHEERNESS

BATTLE FOR BLOODSTOCK HEAT 1 - ABYSS - MANTORA - VULGATE - HUNTER/KILLER (07/03/14) @ THE IVY, SHEERNESS - by Cez

Bloodstock battle of the bands in Kent kicks off at last! Running through March and April, with the semi final and final in May and bringing out some of the best in local unsigned bands, giving them the chance to play the legendary bloodstock festival!

Kicking of events is Abyss. A hard rock / grunge type group. At first, the whole thing was very … dull. Band members standing like cardboard, vocals forced and fake sounding. But, after 2 / 3 tracks, the boys started to relax and things started to get better! I imagine the weak start was down to nerves, but I'll be catching them in about a month so we shall see!

Next up is Mantora, filling in for some band who I don’t remember who dropped out.. Now, this is more like it! These boys don’t fuck about, getting stuck in straight away with their heavy / hardcore metal along the lines of Lamb of God with a couple of breakdowns thrown in for good measure, and a front man who spends the whole show on the floor, not one touching the stage.

Vulgate are a band I've heard of a lot, but never heard. I'll admit seeing a guitar without a head on just gets on my tits. They just look... wrong. But they prove they deserve the hype with some pretty in your face blackened metal. Its pretty much by the numbers, and the guys are a bit static on the stage, but the crowd love it and the musicianship is just spot on.. Which may explain why they won the vote on the night!

Last up is Hunter/Killer. Silly name if you ask me, since if you try to find them on line you just get US navy ships or rockets, but anyway. Not sure what these boys are about. The whole thing was very dull and strained. I hear their guitarist has only just joined and it shows, stood motionless in the corner in his smart shirt and tidy hair, while the others are all scruffy dress and hair down to their arse. During the set they play 2 covers (not a good move at a battle of the bands lads) and admit that the previous bands have made them realise they have a long way to go. They ain't wrong, but respect due to them for admitting it.