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Tonights support comes from Scottish act The Pictish Trail (aka singer Johnny Lynch). Its hard to describe the sort of music Pictish Trail performs – much of it is probably best descibed as folk, played on an acoustic guitar, but Pictish Trial also includes electronic synth music with a drum machine. Banter between songs keeps…

Tonights support comes from Voodoo Johnson playing what is almost certainly their largest ever show, at the sold out Shepherds Bush Empire. Voodoo Johnson are the support for the whole of Europe’s UK tour and have been getting postive responses from both reviewers and audience alike, and tonight appears to be no different with the…

Tonights event at the Scala venue is completely sold out with a large queue forming outside well before the doors open. First up tonight is Anathema’s label mates North Atlantic Oscillation. By the time they go on stage the venue is already fairly full so they have a large crod to impress. NAO play some…

First on stage tonight are Sandhurst band Primitai. Recently named as one of the bands to watch for 2011 by Classic Rock magazine, this young thrash/metal band take to the stage in front of a half filled venue – the rest of the audience and all the press/photographers are still queueing outside. Once inside it…

Tonights support band are the oddly named ”Sparrow and the workshop”. This three piece folk-rock band from Glasgow take to the stage in a half-full venue – many people are either struggling with the snow or are simply preparing for the Pogues by drinking in nearby pubs. While they do get plenty of applause, this…

Tonights gig starts earlier than normal for a gig due to the venue having a club night after the gig. For this reason when Ramming Speed take to the stage just after half past six, the venue is still half empty (doors dont usually open till 7). Boston based thrash band Ramming Speed put in…

Tonights opening act are Italian band Trick or Treat who originally formed as a Helloween tribute band but soon developed their own material. Unfortunately tonights winter conditions have caused major train disruption so I only manage to catch their last few songs, but thoroughly enjoy what I hear. The band has a style that will…

Tonight’s show is opened by Taiwanese band Chthonic (pronounced Ker-Thonic). Despite the early start (doors opened at 6.30 and Chthonic are on at 7pm) there is a good sized crowd by the time they come on stage. First out on stage is their drummer, Dani with his face hidden behind a Hannibal Lecter style mask,…

First on the bill tonight is a new Norwich band, Shrapnel, who only formed in April 2009. They take to the stage in front of a small crowd which grows steadily during thier set as more people arrive, with the room being around two-thirds full by the end of their set. Shrapnel play fast powerful…

The Defiance festival was held at the Asylum venue in Birmingham. A few minutes walk from the city centre, the venue is located in a run-down industrial estate, and doesnt look much from the outside. Once inside however the venue’s appeal becomes obvious. The venue is a decent size, has good sound and lighting, cheap…