The Metal Column – August 2010

In a digital world of illegal file sharing and downloading, it’s good to know that we can still support artists where it really matters: on the stage and in the clubs. Metal fans have always been more than willing to shell out a few extra quid at a gig for a tour shirt or limited vinyl edition of that special record – it just doesn’t sound as good on CD or MP3, now does it? So even though we’re all skint as fuck, we won’t forget to buy merch in order to help our favourite bands do what they do. Right enough.

How fortunate are we to host Welsh powermongers Taint for two Scottish dates? Bannerman’s in Edinburgh (1 Aug) and The Tunnels in Aberdeen (2 Aug). This trio faithfully blend scuzzrock noise with old-school metal chops and pound it out in grand style – definitely one of the best heavy bands to come from the UK in recent years. They’re touring with support from progressive doomsters Manatees, but don’t let the environmentally-cutesy name fool you: their sound is lumbering and massive, like the death-moans of a beached sea mammal that’s about to be carved up by starving neanderthals. Or something. Anyway, check this yin out for sure.

Also at Bannerman’s, the thrash revival continues unabated with Bonded By Blood (14 Aug) who conjure the likes of Testament, Exodus and Death Angel from the glory days of way back when. ‘Member? Simultaneously in Glasgow, the Barrowlands 2 (that’s the wee lounge bit, not the gigantic upstairs ballroom) is kicking off a full-on Metal Weekender (13 & 14 Aug). Too many bands to list here, but suffice it to say that the lineup is impressive and fully represents the local scene in its unending quest for metal retribution.

With their totally unique spin on black metal, Swedish deathgoths Katatonia made compelling musical statements that stood out from the corpse-painted hordes of early 90s Norway. Their sound has softened somewhat with age but continually grows bleaker in both tone and delivery. Last year’s Night Is The New Day is one of their strongest efforts, and it’s a rare treat to catch them in the live setting earlier in the month at the Cathouse (2 Aug). Opening support from Glaswegian nihilists Solstheim will invoke the freezing moon of winter’s bane, as they do.

Ivory Blacks keep ‘em coming the whole month long – death n’ roll courtesy of Fallen Fate (7 Aug), followed by the sanctimonious profanity of Purified In Blood (17 Aug), while English thrash mainstays Sabbat create a theological void with help from Imperial Vengeance, Cinders Fall and Achren (18 Aug). The Rock ‘N’ Damnation fest plows through Glasgow for a full week at a slew of venues, but highlights include Take A Worm For A Walk Week (28 Aug) and Throne O’ Diablo (29 Aug), both at King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut. See you there.