The Joiners, Southampton is an important venue not just in my personal life but for music in general. This grassroots venue has played host to many artists such as GREEN DAY, THE LIBERTINES, COLDPLAY and MUSE. Just over two weeks ago, rising heavy metal stars TAILGUNNER headlined this venue that was nearly packed out. Together with powerful support from TERMINATION FORCE and PECTORA, a night of Heavy Metal Mayhem took place.
Danish Heavy Metal force PECTORA were the first band to take to the stage. First impressions? If EDGUY and ALTER BRIDGE had a love child, PECTORA will give you an idea on what that would sound like. Their set contained killer riffs and solos that will have every air guitarist rejoicing. Vocalist Phil Butler brought a young Tobias Sammet to mind in terms of charisma and vocal talent. The stakes are high when you are the first band to play the stage, PECTORA rose to the challenge and excelled; they got the crowds chanting from the word go and that’s a feat to achieve as an opening band. All in all, PECTORA were the perfect choice to open this night of Heavy Metal Mayhem.
Find PECTORA on Facebook.
Local Power/Thrash Metal quartet TERMINATION FORCE were up next. I had the pleasure of catching them a month before and was blown away by their set. This night was no exception. The showmanship as they belted out their songs was top notch. This band is made up of members from local powerhouses TOLEDO STEEL, DESOLATOR and TERROR DRONE so TERMINATION FORCE showcased the best parts of those sounds and combined them together. If finger blistering riffs and powerful vocals are your thing, then TERMINATION FORCE are ones to check out. They are releasing a new album in the near future; you can enjoy their EP for the meanwhile.
Find TERMINATION FORCE on Facebook.
TAILGUNNER are very new to the scene. Having only established themselves last year, they are already making waves and from witnessing their set, it’s easy to see why. Choosing Zorba’s Dance as the opening music before the band took to the stage was a fantastic touch; fans were even doing the dance. So, the band hadn’t even taken to the stage and the crowd was already warmed up and ready for them; that’s impressive. The transition from Zorba’s Dance to the abrupt sounds of the title track from their debut Guns For Hire was incredibly smooth.
Highlights of the gig included a guitar battle between Zach Salvini and Rhea Thompson, this showcased their impeccable talent for shredding riffs and solos. They were another band that prove that it is possible to headbang to classical music, proof was show through their own version of Greig’s In The Hall Of The Mountain King. Their cover of JUDAS PRIEST anthem Painkiller was a welcome treat to all heavy metal fans alike, I wondered if Rob Halford was channelling himself through lead vocalist Craig Cairns, they sounded identical in terms of vocal power and technique.
The crazy shenanigans, singalongs and boundless energy carried on throughout the set, right down to the very last song of their set. Given it was the Halloween weekend and it was true heavy metal mayhem, they took the chance to cover MISFITS classic Halloween.
Find TAILGUNNER on Facebook.
It was a fantastically, chaotic night of heavy metal mayhem. Each band displayed highly infectious energy and passion as they performed top class tunes; if any of these bands come to a town near you in the future, catch them now before they start playing the bigger venues and stages.
Words: Lotty Whittingham
