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›Orange Goblin/Buffalo Kings/Blacktooth/A470
JB’s, Dudley – 13th April 2008
It’s been a while since the delights (ahem) of Newport have tempted me to visit the hallowed ground of TJ’s, but a night out with Orange Goblin is always gonna be worth the long trip up. Tonight’s line up is filled with local talent and first up, the young A470 have bags of it as well as a confidence that wins over more than just their family and friends. Pulling elements of Pantera, Metallica and Bullet for my Valentine together, the band do enough not to sound like just another metalcore act, as they have more of a classic metal/thrash sound going on and also some great songs to work with as well. Frontman Jamie Mathias commands the crowd like someone twice his age, and with a tight enthusiastic band behind him they even manage to make some of their slightly more generic numbers sound damn good. Certainly a band to keep an eye open for.
7/10.
Which is more than can be said about Blacktooth. They might have gone down well with the crowd, and they might have had some nice riffs, but they did appear to have the only person in Wales who couldn’t sing fronting them. I know it was a personal thing, but when a voice grates on you it ruins the band and I found myself being drawn back to the bar to avoid them.
5/10.
While next up Buffalo Kings raised the bar again there was still not enough there to be completely won over by, especially seeing the best numbers of their set were the slightly bizarre but intriguing cover versions.
6/10.
The eight legged drinking machine that is Orange Goblin are a completely different matter though. From the moment they amble on stage their sheer presence wins over the crowd, with towering behemoth Ben Ward commanding the front row as they go suitably mad. So mad in fact the TJ’s bouncers seem to loose the plot completely, and instead of letting people get on and enjoy themselves a few heavy handed actions are used. One poor guy is dragged off by one pumped up gorilla and thrown outside, and then his mate who merely stands open palmed asking why it was done is grabbed around the throat and given the same treatment. It’s always a pity when some idiot who doesn’t understand what is going on acts in this way, and as Your World will Hate This is introduced with a rallying call of ‘fuck the chavs’ I can’t help thinking Mr Gorilla is beginning to look a little bit uncomfortable as the crowd go suitably barmy again.
Highlight of the night has to be the step back in time for a superb rendition of the rarely heard Aquatic Fanatic from Orange Goblins debut Frequencies from Planet Ten album though, which even sees the Goblin cleverly merging into Metallica’s Seek and Destroy before Joe Hoare’s solo kicks in and drags the song back. The customary Blue Snow closes proceedings to a mixed bag of a night, with the shine being taken off a great night out by the actions of a few beefed up idiots.
8/10.
Nige
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