Review Of:

“Beholder”

At: The King Billy, Northampton

On: 11/10/08

By: Gaby

From the start you just knew that this was one of those nights at the wonderful King Billy that you would probably never forget, for this was the first time that I had the privilege to check out “Beholder” doing what they do best and that is nothing short of teaching you what Rock is all about.

Taking to the floor like a pack of hungry wolves that had just been set free they took to the stage with authority and sheer power. This five piece stormed their way like an army of Ninjas through Rock/Metal covers ranging from the likes of Dio’s excellent “Holy Diver” to Black Sabbath, Metallica’s monster hit “Master of Puppets”, Pantera, Slayer, Lynrd Skynrd’s “Freebird” and even a tadge of Thin Lizzy with a super charged “Whiskey in the Jar” .

As if this was not enough they went on to treat us to a truly sumptuous selection of their own well penned and put together material such as “Let it Die”, Welcome”, Unleash The Hell” and “Code of the Dead” .

Special mention here for another one of their own tunes entitled, “Never Take Us Down” which was especially fine and filled with significance and meaning that we could all relate to as the song was dedicated to the memory of Sophie Lancaster.

This was by far a true performance feast for the senses delivered with quality, character, musicianship, flare and professionalism by the absolute “lead filled” bucketful!

Their lead singer Simon Hall has a true and melodic vocal tone that rang sweet upon my ears offering both the hard edged, rough, throaty tones so demanded by these rock/metal classics as well as the more sensitive and evocative emotional tones that as a package made him one of the finest rock/metal singers I have seen in simply ages. Add to this the ability of being able to skilfully engage and absorb his audience and what you have is a front man of very rare magnetic calibre.

Twin axemen Paul Hurley and Martyn Blackwell were simply put, astonishing as they wove and interwove their guitar parts with the sort of technical precision, brilliance and passionate flare for their instruments that shows a true understanding, appreciation and sheer love and joy of the music that not only gave true and respective homage and tribute to the songs they played but in addition added their own “brand stamp” all over the place.

Powering up the band’s back bone was Si Fielding on bass offering a hot, hard and heavy throb to proceedings that sent shivers up the back of my neck and made my toes curl in metal delight.

Finally on drums Chris Bentley was an absolute fire cracker of a drummer who delivered the beats like a Tornado jet fighter and just when you thought that this tub thumper could not go any faster or harder he ignited his turbo charger and took us up a gear to hard rock musical nirvana leaving us all spell bound in the light of his after burner.

For me this was a band that exemplifies what I call  “Rock Passion” in a totally real and unadulterated way. They are a band that are both commanding and approachable and I defy anyone to hear them and not be moved by the music both physically and emotionally.

By the end of their set I might have been a little deaf and knackered but boy did I have a smile on my face and a tune or two going round my head that left me in no doubt that this was simply put – one of the best rock/metal bands I have heard for a very long time and which deserves some serious respect.

So if you like your rock/metal hard, heavy, loud, real, honest, passionate and heartfelt see them soon or I guarantee you will seriously regret it!

“Beholder” is one hell of a mighty beast of a band!