Live Review : Shining Blackjazz Streaming Show on June 6th 2020

Live streams are evolving. Bands are realising that there is an opportunity to make “event” shows. Shows that stretch the boundaries of what performance actually is. Tonight “gig” is about as far you can possibly get from the usual fare of rock star strumming acoustic versions of their hits in their designer kitchen. It is a taut, claustrophobic and hypnotic experience that discombobulates as much as it entertains. Shining have always trod the left-hand path and have made a career out of being challenging and often contrary. “BlackJazz”, the record being celebrated here tonight, is the last word in free form jazz reimagined as Black Metal. It is a monumental piece of work.

Live Review : Amorphis 30th Anniversary – Stream From The North Side on June 4th 2020

It must be lousy to have a landmark birthday or anniversary in 2020. All those carefully laid plans scuppered by this bugger of a pandemic. This is exactly the situation that Amorphis find themselves in. This year is the 30th anniversary of their formation and they had grand designs of how to mark this momentous occasion. Sadly lockdowns and the fact that none of us are going anywhere quick has put paid to all of that. However, instead of being downhearted they have decided to jump on the live stream bandwagon and perform two special commemorative shows from their home town of Helsinki.

Gig ReviewAuthor : Stewart Lucas6 June 2020KaapelitehdasAmorphis, Stream, 2020, Review, Stewart LucasComment

Live Review : Dropkick Murphys Live Stream at Fenway Park, Boston U.S.A. on May 29th 2020

How do you do a socially distanced gig when you have eight members? You play on a sports field! Not a stage set up at the end of a stadium but literally on the field of play. Tonight is by far the most ambitious and large scale live stream event that has been attempted. The Dropkick Murphys are never one to do things by halves and here they are playing on diamond at the Red Sox home …

Gig ReviewAuthor : Stewart Lucas30 May 2020Dropkick Murphys, Bruce Springsteen, Red Sox, Fenway Park, Boston, 2020, StreamComment

Live Review : Insomnium Winter's Gate's Live Stream on May 29th 2020

Ok! We have the man that wrote a whole blog about not doing live streamed gigs doing a live stream (well to be honest two in one night but let’s stick with the first one first). The reason is that it would take something really special to coax me into the streamed show fad and put simply, “Winter’s Gate” is that something special. A single forty minute long melodic death Metal masterpiece ...