HAMMER, LEGENDS, EDINBURGH, MAY 23 2025

First of three gigs this weekend.

I must admit, it was the support that drew me to this one. Nothing against local heavyweights HAMMER, they're great but I've seen them a number of times before. On the other hand, who could resist a band called FROGLORD?

Seems all of the bands on this line-up are Metal 2 the Masses winners. Well done, them.

Line-up:

KRAKEN WAKER: Sludgy stoners from Newcastle, Very beardy. Introducing fourth band member, OLLIE. He's very small.

VIDEO:  https://youtu.be/SC2kIStWjsY    https://www.facebook.com/krakenwakerband

SPACE PISTOL: Alt-metal/grunge, apparently, from Milton Keynes. Self-described as 'the gay Slipknot'. Not sure about that... Great fun, though, and the bass player has a pedal board the size of Belgium.

VIDEO:  https://youtu.be/Xoacf7wjFF0   https://www.facebook.com/spacepistol

FROGLORD: Amphibious royalty, second only to GOBLINSMOKER's Toad King. Possibly. Masks, robes, doom. And frogs.

VIDEO:  https://youtu.be/ZJ8ccryoyg0    https://www.facebook.com/Froglordband

HAMMER: Scotland's own turbo-metal bruisers. Fast and furious, and fond of trains.

VIDEO:  https://youtu.be/nq0nBcA-4cw   https://www.facebook.com/HammerScotland

ALAIN JOHANNES, CATHOUSE, GLASGOW, MAY 17 2025

I haven't been in the Cathouse since 2015, but here I am to see a pioneer of grunge back in Scotland, courtesy of those nice people at Red Crust.

Line-up:

VOLCANOVA: Icelandic turbo-stoners. A VERY sharp start means that they're playing to a nearly empty Cathouse at first. Doesn't seem to bother them too much.

VIDEO:  https://youtu.be/ZhfBxYurdro  https://www.facebook.com/volcanova

EARL OF HELL: Edinburgh rock'n'rollers doing a double shift tonight - on their own, playing their new album in full, and as ALAIN JOHANNES' backing band.

VIDEO:   https://youtu.be/MvXjhbvTHPI  https://www.facebook.com/earlofhell

ALAIN JOHANNES: The aforementioned pioneer of grunge. He has worked with Mark Lanegan, Queens of the Stone Age, Pearl Jam, Desert Sessions, amongst others, had his own band Eleven, and released solo stuff. And now he's here in Glasgow with Earl of Hell. Who don't do grunge.

Last time I saw him, he had a hat. He doesn't have a hat tonight.

VIDEO 1: https://youtu.be/PbBt4SewEM4

VIDEO 2:  https://youtu.be/23J_-f45Trk

https://www.facebook.com/alainjohannesmusic

BLACK TALON, LEGENDS, EDINBURGH, MAY 10 2025

Edinburgh thrash legends return with a new album. And an Album Release Show. This show.

Line-up:

LUXERA: Up'n'coming youngsters doing the classic thrash thing, and doing it rather well.

VIDEO:  https://youtu.be/RxzXInZdqgw   https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556723923104

EXDESTRIER: Blackened sludge trio. There's no video for this one, because the song I captured turned out to be an unfinished new song, and they asked me not to post it. It was a good song, but you'll have to take my word for it.

https://www.facebook.com/Exdestrier

DISPOSABLE: Edinburgh's other long-serving thrash metal band, now operating as a three-piece.

VIDEO:   https://youtu.be/Rn_4uh1ybhY    https://www.facebook.com/DisposableMetal

BLACK TALON: Edinburgh's premier thrash metal band, back after some time away with a new album, 'SCENES OF AGONY' which they are unleashing here tonight. Featuring a guest appearance of guitarist Guillaume Martin of BARSHASKETH, who had to learn the whole set at very short notice. Did OK.

VIDEO:   https://youtu.be/PvHrKejYJhg    https://www.facebook.com/blacktalonthrash