Band: Revoker
Support: Black Iris and Motherload
Venue: Face Bar, Reading
Date: 19.01.12
First on the agenda were local four-piece band Black Iris who played to a small and cosy crowd. Their set was tight and their sound was similar to Killswitch Engage (before Howard Jones left). They played well, and the crowd enjoyed it, but they seemed to lack enthusiasm on the stage and looked almost uncomfortable in where they stood.
Shortly following were another local band Motherload who had potential to put on a good show, but you could tell that they hadn’t rehearsed for a while, which frontman Tom Ford apologised for on stage. Their guitarist was talented and the overall sound was very raunchy rock n’ roll, but they need to practice more if they want to progress. None the less, the crowd seemed to enjoy them and they had a good reception.
Finally, the room filled up and Revoker was on! The band we had all been waiting for, and boy, it was worth waiting. You can see why this band spends so much time on the road, because they owned that stage and they really belonged up there. Although they have never played Reading before, the reception was good and the crowd went nuts!
From the first note played on the guitar and the first hit of the drum you were instantly fixed and you couldn’t take your eyes off them. They played with passion and admiration for what they do and it really shows. Their talent and hard work all unravels into one room full of drunken head-banging moshers, as they showed us just what heavy metal is all about.
There wasn’t one person who wasn’t moving in that room, even though the numbers were small and the room could have been mistaken for a closet, the show rocked! Revoker really know how to get a crowd moving.
Guitarist Chris Green really engaged with the crowd, drawing them all to the front with his wild stage presence. Front man Jamie Mathias screamed down the microphone catching everyone’s eye with a look that says ‘jump’ and so the people jumped, and they didn’t stop! Bass player Shane Phillips played with ease as his fingers elegantly slides up and down the fret board bursting out insane riffs. Let’s not forget Jack Pritchard on drums, with his enthusiasm and charisma bursting at the seams. He is just one drummer you you need to witness. The whole performance was outstanding.
The highlight of the night was their performance during latest single, ‘The Great Pretender’. The room turned into one huge pit and voices screamed the chorus from every angle. This song was definitely a crowd pleaser and it sounded just as spectacular live as it does on CD.
We at HTF would recommend anyone who shares the same passion for heavy metal as we do, to go check this bands live set out if you get the chance. Keep an eye out for them at your summer festivals, and keep on rocking!
Check out the rest of the tour at:
January
21 WATFORD The Railway Club
26 BRISTOL The Fleece
27 TRURO B-Side
28 SOUTHAMPTON Joiners
2 ANDOVER The George
3 PLYMOUTH White Rabbit
4 TUNBRIDGE WELLS Forum
Chimaira Tour
March
8 GLASGOW King Tuts
9 DUNDEE Fat Sams
10 ABERDEEN Tunnels
11 NEWCASTLE Academy 2
12 YORK The Duchess
13 LEEDS Cockpit
15 NORTHAMPTON Roadmender
17 WOLVERHAMPTON Slade Rooms
18 NOTTINGHAM Rescue Rooms
19 NORWICH Waterfront
20 COLCHESTER Arts Centre
22 OXFORD Academy 2
23 EXETER Lemon Grove
24 CARDIFF Great Hall 2
25 SOUTHAMPTON Talking Heads
26 MARGATE Westcoast Bar
27 LONDON O2 Islington Academy
Also, check out our exclusive Revoker competition and interview coming soon!
Reviewer: Louisa Smith
Photographer: Daniel Ashton-Lloyd
