Raging Speedhorn, Cardiff Barfly 17/12/06
w/ Shaped By Fate & 33
A sunday night, not the best night for a gig to take place in Cardiff to be honest, especially with a gig in Newport everyone's talking about 'Between the Buried and Me w/ Darkest Hour'. As I walk in I’m preparing to see a club full of metal heads and welsh nutters, instead I’m surprised to see it empty! All of about 10 people in the room. I’ve seen more people at a toilet queue.
What seems like a long wait until first band '33 take the stage. The place has filled up with what looks about 30 people max. We are confronted by 2 singers from the band, who look like brothers and who I’m sure are meant to be screaming down the microphone but it doesn’t quite come out right and sounds rather screechy and flat. The pair sound like something you might find down the pub at a Karaoke night competing with each other. The tunes however are very catchy, very rock and fast paced making it more enjoyable to listen to. They do put a good amount of effort in to connect with what audience has bothered to turn up and honestly look like they would destroy the set if they could. Letting a friend of theirs scream along as well as jumping around making sure people know who they are or annoying the hell out of them like one poor photographer. The one singer does a dive back onto the stage to finish off their very short (what seems like a) 20 minute set. Their the type of band you need a certain taste or comedic value to listen to, or quite a few pints down your neck. * *
A few more people have entered the building, still no filler and not looking to be. It's Shaped By Fate's turn to hit the stage. A Cardiff band and quite well known. They are what you call Hard Core Metal, their sound is brutal and puts the first band out of perspective. You don’t even want to remember anything of the first band. The chemistry each and every member show on stage is exceptional, even the respect they show for each other and the sound is alone great. The singer puts many courageous efforts in to try and get the crowd active and it works, a pit brakes out but doesn’t last long and wont with only three people in it. But he still continues and persists. A moment spared to welcome back an old drummer and to how well the band works with him, He couldn’t be more right. The crowd reaction is more positive, like there’s already a fan base in the room even getting a well deserved cheer. This band will keep you hooked from start to finish.
Check them out on www.myspace.com/shapedbyfate
They'll be back January 30th @ Clwb Ifor Bach. See you there! * * * * *
Last and who do not look too happy about the out come of the crowd (or that could be just how main screamer John looks with his glaring eyes, quite evil). From Ozzfest’s Main stage to this… A dismal turn out and with a huge separation in the crowd, those at the front who have specifically come to see Raging Speedhorn, a huge space for those spontaneous pits, and those at the back with their beers who look like their here for the fun of it or were here to see Shaped by Fate. This place can’t even be a ¼ full. Anyway, they start and they sound on top form, infact couldn’t ask for them to sound any better. Such songs like 'Dead Man Walking', 'Redweed' and 'How Much Can a Man Take' get the better of the crowd. Songs are taken from a variety of albums to please, including two new songs, which deliver and give off the sense that RS fans will not be disappointed with their new album screamer John tells us their half way through. Though he is still constantly trying to spur the crowd to move forward, but they seem reluctant. Even one guy shouting out "Shaped by Fate" only to get the response, "yes they were on before us, clever boy". Although Raging Speedhorn put on a mighty set maybe a shorter set than they should have been playing but sounding 5/5, you cant help but think if they were out done by Shaped by Fate, being a Cardiff band, a Cardiff date and being more energetic than a kid who’s eaten way too many e-numbers. Still you can’t help but think why the hell isn’t this place sold out for this band.... * * * *
Nadine J Ballantyne