After having to miss the first Semi Final due to whatever flu-like rubbish was going round, I’m here for round two!! And I’m damn glad, because every single member of every band brought their A game!
COLOUR OF BONE
You can’t open with a B99 Captain Holt soundbite and not win me over! BOOOOONE?!
I was told that the new lineup of The BOOOOONE was heavy as fuck, and that was not a lie! Straight into heavy riffs, the kicked ass.
Johnny’s theatrics on the guitar just rub it in how damn talented that guy is, and to find a bassist who matches that level is absolutely insane! Dave as always had all the emotion in the vocals, very captivating (and as I typed this into the notes he had just let out a hell of a long scream, fuck yes!). The new drummer is not to be left out – he was just as energetic and all over the place as everyone else. Holy crap I am HERE for this new era of the BOOOOONE!
We were handed teeeeeny tiny little lights before their set, and seeing them all shining out for a song was really just lovely. And then ending the set with a little chat about Pride was the cherry on top. Just a group of ass kicking wholesome people.
DEAD RUBBER DOLLS
Opening with a stunning voice, veiled and on her own, and then the band kicked in like fucking crazy! This lot are so jam packed full of energy, all over the stage, and the rocking those opera style vocals as well! The bassist has the most crazy unhinged energy, jumping around looking almost like some kinda haunted Marionette doll, which is absolutely fitting and had the PERFECT voice to throw in there every so often. The guitarist’s hands were just a permanent blur, as were the drummers arms!
I once again as blown away by the massive range of amazing styles coming from one perajn – and we LOVE a queen who gets in the crowd and starts up a pit, always great fun to see!
WORLD//ERROR
They started the set with some ominous sounds, and then it was immediately into heavy chaos in the best way! The screams are just insane, and adding the bassist’s clean vocals are a perfect balance to it. The guitarist is as always was insanely impressive, and the drums were so perfectly heavy.
And what’s what, we had a guest on stage?! A perfect blend with Entropic Rot! 10/10 would love to see more collabs happen there! And Holy PITS batman! The crowd did not STOP! GREAT set, No notes.
BEARPIT
There was a bear. In the pit. FOR BEAR PIT!
Bearpit never fail to have some flippin lethal pits, more energy than IV caffeine and speed mixed together!
Both the backing vocals are lovely, you know you won me over last time though!
Vocal and drummer are fuckin INSANE. Beautiful guitars! Them machinegun drums just win me over immediately!
ENTROPIC ROT
Violent pits from the first note, these guys know how to bring it fuckin HEAVY! I am definitely a big fan now! I think my favourite part of this lot is the guitars. Every single one of the millions of guitars up there are just incredible. The jumps from heavy fast, to twinkly pretty, it’s do damn good. Throw in the raw beaut vocals and some heavy as shite drums, and you have a fan!
Also they had 3D printed frogs as merch, which I hope to be the proud owner of soon! LOOK HOW CUTE!!!
THE FIVE HUNDRED
WHAT a set to end the show with! Having had the pleasure of a quick interview with them earlier on, I was so excited to see what they would bring to the stage, and I was right to be. Just all round mental energy, could not stand still for their set. Non stop headbanging throughout, and I just love a band that has this much range!
I think the best way to sum up the second Semi Finals in one word it would be:
Energetic
WINNERS!
I genuinely was so amazed by every single person that performed. Everyone BROUGHT IT and every single band could have gone through in my opinion. I must say, Bristol M2TM has been SUCH a close competition from the start to me, but sadly only 3 could continue on, and they were COLOUR OF BONE, BEARPIT and AUGMENTIA! All very well deserved, and I can’t wait to see what the finals bring. That said, DEAD RUBBER DOLLS, ENTROPIC ROT, and WORLD ERROR, you guys better keep it up, cause I’m counting on a lot more great shows to come hit up!
Apologies to Augmentia, who’s set I unfortunately had to miss due to a interview, but congratulations, I’ll see ya at the finals! Can’t wait!
The finals will be held at The Exchange in Bristol on Sunday the 12th of July – see ya there \m/
Some shows are live, some pre-recorded. All times are GMT
