Metal Discovery: Review + Photos of Bloodstock Open Air 2007

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FREEDOM CALL

http://dimensions.freedom-call.net/

If metal could be measured in cheese, then Freedom Call would be the equivalent of extra mature stilton which is, like the band's music, palatable to some, and insipid to others. For comparative purposes, I would rate bands such as Hammerfall and Edguy as a medium cheddar, so we're talking some big cheese here. As they take to the stage around 1pm, a largish crowd are gathered to watch the German quartet as light rain begins to fall. I previously saw Freedom Call at Bloodstock's indoor festival at the Derby Assembly Rooms in 2002, although frontman Chris Bay erroneously informs the audience that "it's good to be back - we played here 4 years ago". While Freedom Call's songs are irrefutably 'happy', their brand of almost Disney-like power metal becomes paradoxically dreary a short way into their set. In parts, their inexcusably clichéd music sounds directly plagiarised from fellow countrymen, and power metal originators, Helloween, albeit far cheesier. Having said that, Freedom Call are talented musicians and their four-way vocal harmonies are impressive. The band appear popular with the Bloodstock audience, although I remain unconverted, and with song titles such as 'Mr.Evil', it's hard to take them seriously. To a degree, I guess that I've missed the point, as Freedom Call are perhaps a band that don't want to be taken too seriously, as they perform with beaming grins on their faces as cheesy as their music. Ultimately, though, it's not for me - they would be better appreciated in the right mood...and after copious amounts of alcohol. Freedom Call are anachronistic Euro-cheese, though at least they add a little variety to the Bloodstock bill.

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RISE TO ADDICTION

www.risetoaddiction.com

With the weather remaining dry, Rise To Addiction appear on stage to a slightly larger audience around midday. Featuring ex-BLAZE axemen John Slater and Steve Wray, the band have recently released their debut album, 'A New Shade of Black for the Soul' on Mausoleum Records. They've impressed me the two previous occasions I've caught their live show in very small venues, so was intrigued as to how they would fare on a much bigger stage. Opening with 'Cold Season', Rise To Addiction look immediately at ease and are axiomatically enjoying the occasion as all band members smile at each other and the audience. Making the most of their half hour slot, they cram in a plethora of strong material which motivates a previously stationery crowd into their first movement of the day as fans punch the air and clap along to the contemporary metal groove of each song. Rise To Addiction's creative songwriting encompasses a fusion of metal subgenres as their music shifts between stoner, progressive and thrash elements with audible ease. Leigh Oates is on form today with a strong vocal performance that exhibits his wide ranging voice (not too dissimilar to that of Chris Cornell), while bassist Joel Graham can't help himself but smile throughout the band's entire set. Closing with the awesome 'Falling As One', they exit the stage to huge applause and cheers and will surely have gained some new fans. Through the strength of the material and an engaging performance, both musically and visually, Rise To Addiction prove themselves worthy as big stage performers. I shall reiterate what I've already said within the pages of Metal Discovery - Rise To Addiction have the potential to be huge and, in years to come, I'm sure they'll be back on the Bloodstock stage much higher up the bill. Absolutely brilliant.

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BENEDICTION

www.benediction.org.uk

By the time Brummie death metallers Benediction appear on stage just after 2pm, the impending heavy rain finally arrives, although a large audience brave the bad weather to watch their 40 minute set. Originally formed back in 1989, only original guitarists Peter Rew and Darren Brookes remain in their current lineup, and with the promise of new studio album 'Killing Music' later this year, it will be the band's first for six years. Playing a variety of material from their long history, every track is well received by the Bloodstock audience with the first mosh pit of the day serving to churn up the mud and shit on an increasingly soggy field. Benediction are plagued with a bass-heavy mix for their first two numbers which diminishes the heaviness of Rew/Brookes' fast riffing, although sound levels are fortunately adjusted to apposite levels by third track 'Magnificat (Irenicon)'. Vocalist Dave Hunt's amusing proclamation mid-set that "by now you'll either smell of baby wipes or death" perhaps accurately describes the dichotomy of punters' hygiene standards on this third day of the festival, and is a reflection of the band's down to earth approach with their style of raw Brit-death metal. Sound glitches aside, Benediction proves themselves a still relevant live act in 2007.

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LEGION OF THE DAMNED

www.legionofthedamned.net

As Dutch metallers Legion of the Damned appear on stage to the oft-used orchestral version of Clint Mansell's 'Requiem for a Dream' soundtrack, rain still falls heavily from the prematurely dusk imbued sky. Although I wasn't overly familiar with their music before today, I'd actually seen bassist Harold Gielen play with another of his bands, mathcore crew Charlie Adler, in support of Ephel Duath in Holland earlier this year. Relatively new on the scene, Legion of the Damned's music borrows heavily from Slayer in the same way as contemporary death/thrash crossover acts such as Dew Scented. Although largely unoriginal in their music, they are an impressive live act with traditional palm-muted thrash riffing and pounding basslines underpinned by concomitant blast beats and the generally impressive drumming of skilled sticksman Erik Fleuren. Vocalist Maurice Swinkels rasps every death growl with intense conviction as the band's energetic performance enlivens a now dishevelled looking crowd. What Legion of the Damned lack in originality, they compensate for with a lively set of up tempo headbanging compositions full of emphatic thrash riffs. Just what the day needed at this point!

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SATURDAY 18th AUGUST - PART 1

BEYOND ALL REASON

www.beyondallreason.co.uk

With heavy clouds pervasive in the sky, the last day of Bloodstock threatens rain from the offset, though as York band Beyond All Reason commence playing just after 11am, it fortunately remains dry...for the moment. Releasing their debut album, 'Words of Betrayal', back in 2005 to wide critical acclaim, the band's music fits loosely into the emo-rock-metal subgenre à la Funeral for a Friend. With a significantly smaller audience than for yesterday's main stage openers Exploder, only a few witness the half hour of material performed today. While I generally avoid emo-related music, Beyond All Reason are a fairly enjoyable start to the day, and have enough variety in their songwriting to engender my interest. The small crowd remain generally static throughout their set, though this is probably more to do with the early start and third day fatigue. Overall, a good, solid performance.

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