The Albion Hotel, Pen y Llan, Connah's Quay, Deeside, CH5 4UW
Thursday 20th May 2010
Pictures by Nick Cummins
Thanks to all who voted! Better turnout than the Government this week!
Review from Richard Hibbert of Academy Images - additional photographs on: http://www.academyimages.co.uk/Blog/Blog.html
Battle of the Bands 2010 - 2nd Semi Final
So for the second time in as many weeks we were back at The Albion for the second semi-final of this years Battle of the Bands competition, with Final Theory - Winners (Heat 8), Inspite of Appearance - Winners (Heat 3), The Issues from Heat 6 and substituting for the oh so ill Imposters, from Heat 6, were Myth of Atlantis
In playing order
Final Theory
The draw put local Deeside Based hardcore / rock/ progressive trio Final Theory http://www.myspace.com/finaltheoryband on first, and their four track set of Ghosts and Memories(*), Do We Exist?, The Same Day and Walk Away were delivered with the same competence that saw them safely through their heat, drawing a warm appreciative support from the large crowd which has certainly swollen since the move from Pentre to the 'new venue'. Their performance this evening was a safe, un-dramatic set, with both vocal and instrumental performances that just didn't quite 'ignite' the audience. This is not to say that they performed badly, far from it, it was just a little lacking in 'the x factor' that indefinable quality that sets one apart from another. Their new track - The Same Day did draw some very appreciative responses from the crowd, and their final track, was for me the pick of the bunch. Sam, Thom & Tommy have delivered two good performances in this competition, and there is certainly talent aplenty therein, on which they can undoubtedly build a winning stage presence.
Inspite of Appearance - To Final
Inspite of Appearance - www.myspace.com/inspiteofappearance graced the stage next, and it was immediately obvious that they had brought many more supporters with them, drawing a healthy sized crowd to stage front right from the off. Thankfully this appearance is not to be their swansong, as several of this enchanting sextet may well be off to uni. next term with the inevitable reduction of performance opportunities if not total disbandment! Having made it through to the grand final with this performance, Stace, Holly, Sophie, Nicole, Hayley and Ally will have at least one more chance to entertain with their Techno / Pop Punk set, Don't Let Go(*), Goodbye for Now(*) and Life Goes On(*) being the pick of the set for me. A really nice performance - a glance at their website will show that they do know how to smile!!! - a real chance of top spot in the final.
The Issues - To Final
The third band The Issues - http://www.myspace.com/theissuesjam played a really impressive 5 track set opening with Enter The Mirror(*), quickly followed by Situation!(*) Vlad The Impaler, their excellent rendition of Johnny-B-Good and an excellent finale with Home. I was particularly impressed with their performance during their heat, this evening, they took their performance to a totally different level. This Rock / Alternative / Progressive quartet really did pull off the set of their career, Mathew's vocals and steady expressive bass, wonderfully underpinning Jay's masterful licks, on that very odd guitar, with Kris and Chris on drums and guitar respectfully each making considerable contributions to the overall performance effect. Their increasing confidence on stage and ever developing 'mastery' of their chosen instruments leads me to reflect on Jon Landau's 1974 statement: "I've seen the future of Rock'n'Roll and it's name is Bruce Springsteen." Undoubtedly a visionary statement, with which I am moved to parody into "I've seen the future and it's full of Issues".
Myth of Atlantis
Final act on stage were Wrexham based Hardcore / Metal quintet Myth Of Atlantis - http://www.myspace.com/mythofatlantis who closed out the evening with their very, very heavy, yet exceedingly energetic four track set, Dead Eyes, Ad Astra, There's Only Perception(*) and Best Of Intentions. In a very similar manner, to Final Theory, they did not have the same level of crowd support as the other two competitors, although their few - hardcore fans who did make it, made up for lack of numbers with levels of gyrating energy which were a spectacle in themselves. This was an excellent performance on the evening, especially when one considers that they had very little preparation time, as last minute replacements for the poorly sick Imposters.
So the lineup is now complete for the grand final on the 4th June, with Inspite of Appearance and The issues joining Calling Shotgun and Catfish and The Bottlemen in what promises to be an excellent evening with some very talented young people hell bent on producing the performances of their lives - do not miss this - check on Panic Promotions website http://www.panic-promotions.com/index.htm for confirmation of the venue.
(Final venue now confirmed as the Tivoli but with Panic PA, June 4th - Dave)
Audience
