MUSIC

From grindcore to death metal to full-on ear-shredding thrash, Adam Anonymous investigates the current state of the local metal scene.

What with Bristol’s burgeoning reputation as a post-dubstep clubbing haven, let’s not forget one festering scene that’s still bringing the noise with, y’know, guitars and stuff. There’s a new wave of decibel-spitting metal gnashing its teeth in the region’s undergrowth. And many established figureheads – from brutal death metallers Trigger The Bloodshed to Bristol power/thrash metal punishers Shadow Law – have spread tentacles far outside the South West.

“Bristol’s awesome,” insists Shadow Law frontman Cris Sutera, but with a London-based label and significant European touring on the quintet’s CV, blinkered geographical favouritism is hardly an issue here. “People say it’s all about getting on the road, but we’ve played some absolutely shocking shows and what makes it better? An awesome hometown show. Without local fans and friends, where would you be?” Currently working on a new album, Shadow Law’s live plans have been hampered by a spate of unfortunate injuries lately.

No such poor luck has befallen Trigger The Bloodshed, though, destroying a slew of European cities as we speak, supporting this year’s LP ‘Degenerate’. Initially from Bath, three-fifths of TTB now call Bristol home. Their pedigree: opening for spiritual forefathers Cannibal Corpse, wowing Download festival, three unforgiving albums and rapturous reviews across the metal press.

“We don’t play Bath or Bristol much, we’re out and about doing other things, but there are a load of really good bands in the area,” says vocalist Jonny Burgan, citing Burning Skies, Bristol gore fiends Amputated, Taunton thrashers Flayed Disciple and kindred Bath spirits Ignominious Incarceration.

“I’ve seen Trigger The Bloodshed since day one and I’m so impressed by those boys, how they’ve got to where they’ve gone,” gushes independent promoter Paul Goddard. “It’s important to show the rest of the world what we can do.”

The driving force behind the punishing Crypt Of Locusts line-ups, Goddard has specialised in shows comprising various extreme metal variants for four years. Starting at now-defunct Bath spot The Porter Butt hosting one of TTB’s first ever shows, he relocated to Bristol after that venue shut two years later. He subsequently brought now-defunct Brit bruisers Raging Speedhorn and vegetarian Americans Cattle Decapitation to the city, and before October ends you can add Skeletonwitch, Sick Of It All and Madball to that list.

“There aren’t many independent promoters dealing with the more extreme styles in Bristol,” he explains. “If we didn’t exist and didn’t take risks, I don’t think some of the shows would happen. I love the music. I love the bands. I’m someone who cares about what I do.”

Goddard is also in a fairly unique position, having witnessed both Bath and Bristol’s metal undergrounds at close quarters. “There is a scene in Bath,” he insists. “But it’s a very hard city to work. I love Bath to bits, but for a promoter it sucks. The scene in Bristol is just so much more varied: there are always kids at every show, whether it’s death metal, hardcore or thrash. I find the unity very strong.”

Among the most experienced characters promoting in Bristol today is the man behind late lamented rock club Area 81, Big Chris. A prominent face behind Midlands biker-rock fest Bulldog Bash, he’s best known locally for his Maverick Promotions shows and associated rehearsal/recording space. If the metal blasting from a venue near you sounds to be straight from a soundtrack to ‘Sons Of Anarchy’, it’s doubtless a Maverick gig. “I’ve seen bands, just young lads, who finish work, rush down to the venue and play better than bands that are getting hundreds of thousands of pounds for touring Europe or the States,” he says. “There’s a lot of talent here. And there is unity, definitely. The fans that turn up are really good.”

It’s not only those intrinsically linked into the metal scene that are quick to big up their natural habitat. Despite contributions to a recent Metal Hammer tribute to Black Sabbath and a Classic Rock cover-mount of AC/DC covers, gonzo Bristol animals Turbowolf won’t win many purist votes – but they are about to embark on a European enormodome jaunt supporting nu-metal titans Korn, and they list meeting Pantera shouter Phil Anselmo and attending the Kerrang! Awards as career pinnacles.

“We don’t think we’re really part of a scene here, but it’s not something we’ve ever strived to do. We’ve been carving our own path,” muse the band’s Chris Georgiadis and Andy Ghosh, jointly via email. “We feel lucky to be living in a place which allows us to be creative and develop our passions.”

For a city of under 100,000, it comes as no shock that metal-loving venues in Bath are nearly non-existent. Yet Bristol’s options have become surprisingly skeletal too. The Academy deals with bigger touring packages, sure. But with the volume at The Junction turned down in its new No 51 guise, the Fleece re-finding its feet after years of tribute band purgatory, noise issues inhibiting The Louisiana and the Bierkeller only a sporadic player, only the Cavern can really hold a candle to the one venue that has consistently prospered - and it’s hard to find a bad word about The Croft’s contribution to Bristol’s metal evolution. “The Croft is very important,” Paul Goddard confirms. “The bands I put on love it. Also, it’s very good for first-time promoters. The hire isn’t expensive and you work with decent people.” “Bristol’s a great place for metal and it’s down to venues like The Croft that keeps it thriving,” adds Cris Sutera.

The Croft’s in-house promoter Matthew Otridge, who cites hometown death-grind stalwarts Burning Skies as “head and shoulders” above regional metal competitors, takes such praise in his stride. “Metal’s been really important to The Croft,” he says. “If heavy genres didn’t exist, The Croft probably wouldn’t still be going. And there’s a good relationship there: I don’t want to sound big-headed, but The Croft’s been far and away the most important Bristol venue for metal in the last 10 years. We probably do more metal shows than any other venue in Bristol, maybe even the South West. I’m proud that lots of heavy bands who come through – even really big ones like Sick Of It All – hear about The Croft by reputation and ask specifically to play here. The people who run The Croft have all been in bands and know how bands want to be treated on the road.”

There’s a dark lining to the silver-tongued eulogizing, though: almost all we spoke to acknowledge that the scene’s infrastructure requires a degree of spit and polish. There are good bands coming out,” Jonny Burgan reckons. “It’s just a shame about the lack of shows. There could do with being a few more.”

Big Chris sees things from an opposing angle, suggesting the burden lies with paying punters: “There are a lot of metal bands but not a lot of fans for some reason. Getting them to gigs, unless it’s for free, is really hard work.” Paul Goddard concurs that fans hold the key: “If you don’t know the bands, you should always go to a show and check it out. Go and support the bands.”
 

FFI ON THE PROMOTERS/BANDS INTERVIEWED VISIT:

WWW.THE-CROFT.COM

WWW.MYSPACE.COM/COLPROMOTIONS

WWW.MYSPACE.COM/MAVERICKSTUDIOSBRISTOL

WWW.MYSPACE.COM/SHADOWLAWMAFIA

WWW.MYSPACE.COM/TRIGGERTHEBLOODSHED

WWW.MYSPACE.COM/TURBOWOLFBAND
 

Copyright Adam Anonymous 2010

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