The FudBlog: God Alone

Showing posts with label God Alone. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 21, 2026

STRANGEFORMS FESTIVAL, DAY 1, BRUDENELL SOCIAL CLUB, LEEDS, APRIL 18 2026

We're back in Leeds for the 11th StrangeForms festival. Of course we are.

Line-up:

BIRDWITCH: Off to a grand start with these folks, Norwich based - but partly from Scotland - doomgazers. Rousing stuff, and a big voice from such a slight figure of a singer. Draw a good sized crowd, which is nice for an opening act.

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/EqdaMY3n0Ww https://www.facebook.com/Birdwitch

LAST OF EDEN(L.O.E.): Hefty post-rock. First band of the weekend to have a member join the crowd. There isn't a video for this, because I fucked up somehow. I have video, and I have audio, but they don't match. Which is annoying, because they were more than decent. But barely visible.

https://www.facebook.com/weareloemusic

AS LIVING ARROWS: The first band (of only 4) of the weekend that I've seen before, and happy to see them again. Chunky post-emo-screamo-metal

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/72Ia7XWHpyo https://www.facebook.com/aslivingarrows.band

FORLORN: Self-described as 'Midsommar metal', stirring stuff with songs of paganism, mythology and folk horror. From that leafy green centre of mysticism, London.

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/BHOogmZVIO8 https://www.facebook.com/weareallforlorn

GOD ALONE: Ridiculously skilful explosive dance-math from Cork, and the second of my previously-seen bands. I STILL have no idea how they do it. Inevitably, some of them end up in the crowd.

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/ai3P4WSGELs https://www.facebook.com/godalonecork

COLOSSAL SQUID: Drummer/producer Adam Betts in his squid costume. Gets off to a false start with his computer acting 'like a twat'. Sound cards don't like excessive vibration, apparently. Once sorted, he batters several shades of shit out of his kit and is enormously entertaining. Previously seen act #3.

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/iH1pE40UyBI https://www.facebook.com/colossalsquidmusic1

KNIVES: Blistering punk noise. With a saxophone. And a very turbulent crowd.

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/moxXO_aiY9Y https://www.facebook.com/knivesnoise

MERYL STREEK: Irish 'council house lad' raging against injustice and the cruelty of modern society with a soap-box, a laptop and a flashing torch. Entertainment or education? Why not both? Something to think about on the way home from the show.

VIDEO: https://www.facebook.com/merylstreek

Tuesday, September 16, 2025

CORE FESTIVAL, GLASGOW, DAY 1, SEPTEMBER 12 2025

Glasgow's premier underground metal festival, back for a third year.

'No plan survives first contact with the enemy' - attributed to Gen. Carl von Clausewitz, amongst others.

FRIDAY:

Right, here we are in Glasgow, waiting at the front door of the Woodside Halls, and getting nervous. GOD ALONE are due to start shortly, but the box office, where we're supposed to pick up wristbands and press passes, won't open until 7:00pm at the earliest. This is awkward, and needs to be sorted for future events. Opening the doors 30 minutes or so earlier surely can't be impossible.

The quotation above will prove to be relevant.

We are already presented with a major clash, with headliners TORCHE directly up against math-rock legends AND SO I WATCH YOU FROM AFAR. It's a tough choice, but I've seen ASIWYFA recently in Leeds, so I opt for the resurrected Torche up in the main hall. It's still a bit annoying because it would be good to see the Irish lads in their natural environment of a small venue, but it's going to be really hard to get in if you're not there VERY early. It will be, and indeed IS, rammed.

Line-up:

GOD ALONE( Hug & Pint): Hyperactive Cork math-rock lads, out on tour with And So I Watch You From Afar. Very twiddly, very dancey. A fine selection of horrible shirts.

VIDEO: https://www.facebook.com/godalonecork

OMO: Enigmatic doom/sludge combo from Glasgow, featuring current and former members of a number of other bands from Glasgow. Which bands? Various bands.

VIDEO: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571640149538

HELMS ALEE: Seattle thundersludge trio touring with TORCHE and playing their first ever gig in Scotland. A band I've wanted to see for many years and they do not disappoint.

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/i-RoWcRtEDU https://www.facebook.com/HelmsAlee

TORCHE: Stoner-sludge/pop quartet from Miami, they 'retired' in 2022 but CORE persuaded them to come back to play a few gigs with CAVE IN, and here they are. Nice to see them back in Glasgow for what proves to be the best gig I've seen them play. Quality.

Singer/guitarist STEVE BROOKS now has a lot more hair than he had last time I saw them.