BATTLE FOR BLOODSTOCK HEAT 2 - PRESSUREHEAD - WORD OF NOD - NEAR RUIN - LOS ALCATRAZ (14/03/14) @ THE IVY, SHEERNESS

BATTLE FOR BLOODSTOCK HEAT 2 - PRESSUREHEAD - WORD OF NOD - NEAR RUIN - LOS ALCATRAZ (14/03/14) @ THE IVY, SHEERNESS - by Cez

Heat 2 starts off with Pressurehead. A band I've seen before, although at that gig, they had 2 of the 4 out due to what ever reasons, so they performed an accoustic set, which I have to say, was awful. So Iwasn't expecting much from tonight.. But I was wrong! Playing some fun grunge rock with smiles on their faces, it may not be 'metal' enough for Bloodstock, but it’s a good start.

Word of nod are an odd bunch. Older than most of the other bands in the contest and very... unique. Their front man is all 'hairy chest out, epic mustache on, mad metal posses go and voice high!' I guess you could call them heavy rock meets power metal? Not really sure.. The front man is a performer for sure, although the audience seem to float away through the set it’s a good one.

Near ruin are a young lot. Possibly the youngest in the contest. Playing generic melodic hardcore its all pretty standard other than the keybored playing irritating 90s ring tone randomly in the tracks. sure they got energy and are having fun up there, but I am not.

Los alcatraz. Another band I've seen before. always calling for everyone to come watch them, never watching the other bands. Want to know what they sound like? the front man is wearing 'Whitechappel' ' Chealsea grin' and ' Carnifex' logos. says it all really. Everything is by the numbers, the music, tone, body language and posturing. Its hardcore. Plain, boring and simple. Yawn.