Music / Previews
Metal & Prog Picks: July 2022
It’s festival season, which means that gigs are fairly thin on the ground right now. But at least this month sees the return of the Welsh fest with the loveliest site, friendliest atmosphere and best music. Yep, we’re talking about the orgy of rural mountaintop classic rock action that is Steelhouse.
But if you’ve got gig money burning a hole in your pocket, you might consider blowing it on the seventh album by splendidly named Bristolians Schnauser, who specialise in quirky, witty prog that might even be described as keeping the spirit of Stackridge alive and should certainly appeal to anyone steeped in the Canterbury scene. Released on July 1, Altra Seccatura reins in the quartet’s multi-part epic prog tendencies in favour of more concise pop/prog songs. But it would be wrong to assume this is Asia to their earlier Yes as there’s more than enough lyrical weirdness and eccentric tempos to keep the most demanding progger engaged. Schnauser tell us that work commitments have precluded a launch party but they hope to play locally later in the year. Watch this space for details when we get them. In the meantime, you can buy the album here.
Should you fancy something a little heavier, another Bristol band who are unlikely to get mentioned anywhere else locally have an album out this month. RXPTRS (pronounced ‘Raptors’) are signed to Metal Blade, who’ve just released their debut, Living Without Death’s Permission. Described by Metal Hammer as “a fascinating and compelling introductory statement”, it’s a pigeonhole-dodging, purist-infuriating collection, combining metal, hardcore and even grunge influences. Oh, and check out that cracking guitar solo in Demon In My Headphones.
is needed now More than ever
Fleece, July 3
. . . or Love Without Arthur Lee, if you want to be pedantic. But given that Arthur died back in 2006, his absence is excusable. Guitarist Echols is the sole remaining original member of the influential sixties psychedelicists. He’s been keeping the music alive in one form or another since 2009 and even played one of those ‘farewell’ tours, which reached the Fleece back in 2019. Needless to say, he’s back again three years on for this new tour to celebrate the, erm, 55th anniversary of Forever Changes, which Robert Plant has often cited as one of his favourite albums. We can expect to hear that in its entirety, plus other stuff from Love and Da Capo. As before, Echols will be joined by members of Baby Lemonade.
Exchange, July 8
What better way to celebrate the Great British Summer than in a windowless sweatbox with the cheerily named Old Man Gloom? Something of a sludger supergroup, featuring members of Isis, Converge and Cave In, the Gloomsters are best known for The Ape of God, released on Profound Lore.
O2 Academy, July 18
In their minds – and, indeed, their videos – The Struts are already global superstars who hang out with supermodels and rock royalty. In truth, they’ve yet to come up with The Hit that might result in Darkness-style crossover success, despite opening for The Who, The Stones, Motley Crue and Guns n’ Roses as well as co-writing songs with Robbie Williams and Joe Elliott and Phil Collen of Def Leppard. Frontman Luke Spiller (who’s clearly watched an awful lot of Queen videos and has collected every mid-period Stones album) was actually born in Bristol and formed the band in Clevedon with guitarist Adam Slack. They’ve done well to reach Academy headlining status and our reviewer was very impressed with them last time they played SWX.
Exchange, July 20
Classy self-styled “heavy psych” trio King Buffalo were certainly productive during lockdown(s), with Regenerator, the third album in their pandemic trilogy (after The Burden of Restlessness and Acheron), due for release in September. These New Yorkers are a cut above their more lumpen stoner brethren, and well worth a punt if you just can’t wait for November’s Pallbearer/Elder double-header.
Hafod-y-Dafal Farm, Ebbw Vale, July 29-31
There’s been a lot of talk about punters returning to festivals this year, but Steelhouse actually went ahead in 2021, having been given special dispensation by the Welsh government. Alas, travel restrictions meant that headliners Europe weren’t able to make it from, you know, Europe to the scenic Welsh mountaintop, but they’re definitely playing this year as Sunday night headliners. The mighty Saxon headline Saturday night and the rest of the bill includes the current incarnation of the Michael Schenker Group, Finland’s fabulous Von Hertzen Brothers, H.E.A.T., Diamond Head and the Graham Bonnet Band (remember him?). Those who prefer the heavier stuff are well catered for by the lovable Orange Goblin and magnificent Green Lung.
Main pic: Europe. Credit: Fredrik Etoall
COMING SOON
Here’s our essential diary of upcoming gigs that should be of interest to anyone of a rockin’ disposition.
GWAR, Fleece, August 10
ArcTanGent: Opeth, Cult of Luna, Tesserat, Enslaved, Pallbearer, Amenra, Zeal and Ardor, etc., Fernhill Farm, August 17-20
FM, Thekla, August 21
Gloryhammer, SWX, Sept 9
Evergrey, Thekla, Sept 19
Magnum, Fleece, Sept 19
Vola, Fleece, Sept 27
Deafheaven, SWX, Sept 29
Cheap Trick, O2 Academy, Oct 4
Steve Hackett, Bath Forum, Oct 5
Anthrax/Municipal Waste, O2 Academy, Oct 6
The Sheepdogs, Thekla, Oct 7
Rosalie Cunningham, Chapel Arts Centre Bath, Oct 8
Coheed & Cambria/Thrice/Touche Amore, O2 Academy, Oct 14
Ryan Hamilton & Warner E. Hodges, Thekla, Oct 16
Amenra, Fleece, Oct 16
Dare, Fleece, Oct 23
Skid Row/Winger/Phil X and the Drills, O2 Academy, Oct 23
Cradle of Filth, Marble Factory, Oct 27
Rosalie Cunningham, Thekla, Oct 30
Despised Icon/Decapitated, Fleece, Nov 2
Pallbearer/Elder, Fleece, Nov 3
Zeal & Ardor, Trinity, Nov 8
Fozzy, O2 Academy, Nov 12
Saxon, Bath Forum, Nov 15
Gong/Ozric Tentacles, Trinity, Nov 20
Frost*, Komedia, Bath, Nov 30
Rick Wakeman, Bath Forum, Dec 3
Clutch, O2 Academy, Dec 13
Lamb of God/Kreator, O2 Academy, Dec 16
Imonolith, Exchange, Jan 26
Epica/Apocalyptica, O2 Academy, Jan 30
Karnivool, O2 Academy, Feb 3
Katatonia/Solstafir, Marble Factory, Feb 12
Back Star Riders/Michael Monroe/Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons, O2 Academy, Feb 22
Avatar, SWX, Feb 23
Napalm Death, O2 Academy, March 7
Ville Valo, O2 Academy, March 10
WASP, O2 Academy, March 23
Devin Townsend, O2 Academy, March 29
Bloodywood, Fleece, March 29
The Zombies, Fleece, April 13
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