Gig review - Darbex Band Quest (Metal Heat 3) @ Drayman - 18/02/08
(interstellar_overdrive2@yahoo.co.uk)
ZocalornConquestrnDownfallrnrnNow everyone talks about derbies, be they football, rugby, ice hockey etc but they can happen within local music scenes as well. We have already had one derby of the Arsenal/Tottenham variety with Cursed as Angels taking on Without Remorse and tonight we had another local ding dong derby that is more of a Charlton/Palace...
(read more)
Gig review - Darbex Band Quest (Metal Semi Final 1) @ Drayman - 25/02/08
(chris_coombes85@hotmail.com)
Upon knowing the bill for tonight’s Darbex Heat Semi final I became excited. A 3-way heavyweight contest of immense proportion, one band walking away a step closer to Bloodstock Festival. Without Remorse earn their golden ticket to the final, by 1% difference.rnrn‘Without Remorse’rnrnThis heavy thrash band in the same vein as Lamb of...
(read more)
Gig review - Darbex Band Quest (Metal final) @ Drayman - 05/05/08
(alan@rockmatrix.co.uk)
The Darbex metal final got off to a crunching start thank to Violation Complex (7.5/10). Their brand of progwarped extreme metal was the perfect way to wake anyone bogged down by the increasing heat inside the venue.rnrnTrad metallers Conquest (6.5) were next, displaying a song writing ability which escapes many a contemporary act. Schizophrenia (6.5)...
(read more)
Gig review: Band Quest Metal Semi Final 5 (All-dayer) @ The Drayman - 04/05/09
(alan@rockmatrix.co.uk)
1st) Into Exilern2nd) Silent Descentrn3rd) AffluenzarnrnAnother week and another semi final in the Bexleyheath metal category of Band Quest, with 3 bands battling for a place at Bloodstock with the addition of 7 other bands to make this an all-dayer!rnrnNon Band Quest bands:rnrnSince his split from local trad metallers Conquest Roy Stone (5/10) has plied...
(read more)
Gig review: South of Heaven @ The Fox and Firkin - 25/09/09
(kluthje@yahoo.co.uk)
The Fox and Firkin is a great place, has a friendly atmosphere and a good size stage for bands.rnrnThe first band on was Zocalo (6/10), a Female fronted band with a Led Zepplin sound and style. They were not deterred by the fact their bass player was missing, as their guitarist jumped on bass and a stand-in guitarist helped out, having only 10 days...
(read more)
Gig Review: Band Quest Kent Metal Heat 2 @ Bull n Vic - 16/02/10
(alan@rockmatrix.co.uk)
It seems like only a few weeks ago when SNAKEBITE were celebrating their route from Band Quest 2009 to Bloodstock, but here we are in the second week of Band Quest 2010 already.rnrnCompetition veterans ZOCALO (8/10) know the highs and lows of the road to Bloodstock. They reached the final in the initial competition but were dumped out the first round in...
(read more)
Gig review: Band Quest Kent Metal Final @ Red Lion - 30/05/10
(alan@rockmatrix.co.uk)
It was only a year ago when Snakebite stormed to the Bloodstock Metal 2 The Masses Kent title with Denounce taking the overall Band Quest honours. A year can be a long time though and since then some of the local acts had split, fallen into a state of comatose or simply moved on.rnrnWhile Falling Empire opened up last years final with a ferocious set of...
(read more)
EP review: Zocalo - Providence
(alan@rockmatrix.co.uk)
It would be something of an understatement to say Zocalo have had a good year. The addition of an extra guitarist made them rock harder than ever and of course there was the small matter of grabbing a slot at Bloodstock, the primary festival for metal in the UK. Therefore, the 'Providence' E.P. arrives at a time when everyone is looking at the...
(read more)
Festival review: Bloodstock Open Air @ Catton Hall - 13-15/08/10
(alan@rockmatrix.co.uk)
The UK was a baron wasteland for metal festivals before Bloodstock began in 2001. Okay, you had the odd Ozzfest and giant Metallica gigs but these were aimed at the more commercial end of the metal spectrum, as was the proceeding Download Festival. The decision to move Bloodstock outside was met with derision by a few, but anyone who has witnessed...
(read more)
Gig review: Cutting Edge Showcase @ Underworld, Camden - 20/09/10
(alan@rockmatrix.co.uk)
The third Cutting Edge gig had a lot to live up to after Alestorm, Ignominious Incarceration, Denounce, Snakebite, O.M.T and Silent Descent had, along with other bands all lit up the Underworld stage at the previous two shows. Tonight it was the turn of Beholder, Zocalo, Silas, Sizen and Avenge Thee + Naime.rnrnIf there was a cool, chilled out atmosphere...
(read more)
Gig review: Splintered Soul + Zocalo @ Red Lion - 17/07/10
(pierrot_lunaire_@hotmail.com)
Any traveller, for whom Crete Hall Road is virgin territory, is met by a demolition site, a dead end, and barely a breath of life for around 3 miles. That is, until they spot The Red Lion: Gravesend's primary epicenter for rock 'n' roll spice. And that epicenter is in full swing at 8.30 tonight, as the main stage kicks off with SONS OF TORMENT (7/10). An...
(read more)
Gig review: Cutting Edge Showcase @ Underworld, Camden - 20/09/10
(alan@rockmatrix.co.uk)
The third Cutting Edge gig had a lot to live up to after Alestorm, Ignominious Incarceration, Denounce, Snakebite, O.M.T and Silent Descent had, along with other bands all lit up the Underworld stage at the previous two shows. Tonight it was the turn of Beholder, Zocalo, Silas, Sizen and Avenge Thee + Naime.rnrnIf there was a cool, chilled out atmosphere...
(read more)
Gig review: Femme Fatal Friday @ Dirty South, Lewisham - 12/11/10
(alan@rockmatrix.co.uk)
Some people may question the point of having a line-up consisting of only female fronted acts but at the end of the day it doesn't really matter as long as there is enough quality and on this occasion there was plenty. Original headliners, London hard rocker SHUSH had to pull out but the five remaining acts ensured this was to be a fine night of live...
(read more)
Gig review: Kent Metal 2 The Masses Final @ Beer Cart Arms, Canterbury + Bull n Vic, Dartford - 29/05/11
(alan@rockmatrix.co.uk)
A final in 2 different venues on the same day? Madness surely? Well not if you are one of the bands who reached the final and want the best opportunity to play to your own crowd. This extension of the 'local gig' means the air bristles with excitement for most of the day as 2 packed venues for the most part showcase the best of what Kent can offer...
(read more)
If you would like to submit a review for Zocalo please get in touch and we will update the profile with any reviews supplied.
