i-(DEF)-i

with

PHAT JERUSALEM,

BLACK RIVER PROJECT

and
NATURAL MUNK

Friday 30th September, 2005 @ The Shed, Leicester, ENGLAND.
On a Friday night in Leicester, where the metal scene seems to be thriving, there was a healthy choice tonight between Dragonforce (apparently, the warriors with plastic swords) at The Charlotte or i-(DEF)-i (plus three bands) at The Shed.  The support for Dragonforce on this tour was Mendeed - who I was well up for seeing - but unfortunately, they had other commitments for this evening, and so it made our evening very easy and saved some running between venues! The Shed is a decent venue; it’s about the right sort of size, with a good atmosphere and tonight a good soundman.

First band up was Natural Munk who I know nothing about (fill us in guys!), other than they’re from the Leicestershire village of Stoney Stanton. They produced a tight but short set of modern metalcore kind of Hatebreed style, with some fine riffs and lots of guttural growling.  Despite admitting to being so very drunk, the vocalist managed to complete the performance, albeit facing the wrong way for most of it - and one of the guitarists took to introducing the songs. But hey, this is Rock n’ Roll on a Friday night man and they did entertain!

Next up were the discovery of the night for us, a band called Black River Project.  The Leicester based 4-piece took the proceedings to another level and shone out like the eyes of Satan from the depths of hell. With such stage presence, Paul McGlennon commanded the room and orchestrated a polished band through a far too short set of powerful, chugging, downtuned riffola with such professional panache - it was so very impressive.  Like Machine Head digging up the rotting corpse of Entombed and puking over it with the most awesome and incurably demonic, gravely vocals.  I implore you to find the time to see this band live, they are highly recommended and you won’t be disappointed - Let The Rivers Run Black!

 Friday 30th September, 2005 @ The Shed, Leicester

Earl Shilton hero’s Phat Jerusalem were on next fronted by the inexhaustible enthusiasm of Adam (the vocalist), who seems to do a lot of the motivating and organisation of gigs around the local scene. They provided an entertaining session of chaotic uncouthcore, a mixture of Slayerized thrash metal with elements of things more experimental but with just about everything at manic pace. To the uninitiated (and personally not knowing any of their songs), it all fused into one mad vortex of sound, but was hugely appreciated by the maniac moshers who spared no energy to beat the crap out of each other and were in themselves great entertainment.

Chris Maher - i-DEF-i Vocals

Chris Maher - i-DEF-i Vocals
photo by www.coldwinterdigital.co.uk

Kev Gaffney - i-DEF-i Bass

Kev Gaffney - i-DEF-i Bass
photo by www.coldwinterdigital.co.uk

Topping the bill, I-DEF-I were the last band to take to the stage and picked up where Black River Project left off, with an awesome show performed to a highly professional standard.  Having listened to most of their recorded material over their four years of existence and been mightily impressed, especially with Chris Maher’s vocals, it was going to be very interesting to see how it transferred to the live environment. I needn’t have doubted this hard working band for a moment and the vocals were just as strong and tuneful as ever.  This is a class act and their take on metalized hard rock that mixes downtuned, aggressive, heaviness with magical melodies, has you appreciating the quality of the songs as well as the performance. The variety in their music keeps it feeling fresh and interesting and never feels one dimensional, they certainly leave you wanting to hear more and you just know they deserve to go on to bigger and better things.  Go and see these boys, they are worth the entrance fee alone.

Mel Stewart - i-DEF-i Drums

Mel Stewart - i-DEF-i Drums
photo by www.coldwinterdigital.co.uk

Tom Clements - i-DEF-i Guitar

Tom Clements - i-DEF-i Guitar
photo by www.coldwinterdigital.co.uk

Overall, an excellent night out at The Shed, four metal bands each offering something slightly different to the audience, but together producing a very entertaining and enjoyable evening. And all for £3 - guys support your local live scene, it unbelievable value and a good crack to boot!

Rigsby
www.iwillbeheard.co.uk

RECORDINGS / REVIEWS:

i-(DEF)-i “A Curse Beneath The Surface”
i-(DEF)-i “August 2004" Sampler
i-(DEF)-i "September 2002" Demo

BLACK RIVER PROJECT "Those Whom" EP

PHAT JERUSELEM ??

NATURAL MUNK ??

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