GIG REVIEW: Summer Rocks At The Empire With STORMZONE, SAFIRE, LIKE A HAWK And DEAD ADDICTION
Summer Rocks at the legendary Empire was the event to be at on The Longest Day, Friday 21 June.
Even though it doesn’t really seem like summer going by the weather recently it was going to be an evening of four rocking bands. Two that I have seen a number of times, one that even though I know their music, I have seen live only once before, and one that I had never heard of before tonight.
All put together by SO:NI, Sounds Of Northern Ireland promoter Philip McCarroll.
The opening band of the night was DEAD ADDICTION.
A band that I have seen on a number of occasions at various venues over a period of time. This band just keeps improving. Over the time from when I first saw them, Joe Murphy has came a long way and looks much more comfortable up on stage fronting the band than he did about a year ago. Thats not to say that he wasn’t good then, but he has improved in the lines of stage presence and looks more the part of a front man.
Backed by a band that are tight, and from what I saw and heard, never put a foot wrong the whole set. Awesome drumming by Stephen Engelen. Nice bass lines from Danny Haughey. Great riffs from guitarist Chris Van Engelen. And some blistering solos by Ciaran Lyttle, who really shines in this band.
If you get the opportunity to catch this band live, and you are a fan of local bands like the mighty MAVERICK. Then be sure to check these guys out. You won’t be disappointed.
Up next on the bill was LIKE A HAWK.
Hailing from Limavady, they are relatively new to the scene. After some line up changes they ended last year with a bang by reaching the final of the Bulleit Bourbon Battle of the bands, after playing only once with their current members.
I have to admit, I wasn’t exactly blown away when they took to the stage and performed their first two songs. To me, it wasn’t really anything special. But when they started into the third song of their set, something just seemed to click. What followed was some great rocking tunes and some great banter from the boys between songs. Telling the audience before a song that they had to tune their guitars down so they would sound more ominous.
Front man Aaron Archibald introducing his brother Ryan on drums as his “wee lesbian brother”. To performing a song about erectile dysfunction. They even joked at the end of their set that you could find them on Tinder along with all the usual social media sites.
LIKE A HAWK were the only band on the line up that I had not only never heard before, but also had never even heard of. But I certainly hope that I get the chance to see them again.
Up next was the penultimate band on the line up.
The female fronted SAFIRE.
Led by an absolute powerhouse on vocals in Saffron Gorman. A powerful voice with great range and control, and an amazing stage presence that commands your attention.
She is backed by former DONUM DEI bassist Dean Kane, who adds a lot of energy to the band. Guitarist Tim Torrens, who in my eyes, and ears, is one of the best shredders round. Regular drummer Cozy McCauley is currently on hiatus but taking his spot behind the kit was Baleful Creed’s David Jeffers.
I personally found the band to sound better and tighter with the addition of Jeffers on drums, but I might be a little biased here considering I’m a big fan of Baleful Creed.
SAFIRE played a great set, with the only downside being the absence of “Fallen Angel”, which to me, and I’m sure others, is one of their stand out songs.
Finally, the moment we had all been waiting for, the mighty STORMZONE.
What really is their to say here? One of the biggest rock acts to come from our wee island. Fronted by, hands down, one of the best on the local scene.
Harv Harbinson is a total package, if you will. A great voice with charisma and a stage presence that’s hard to beat. Behind him, a band to match, and a return of the Three Kings Line-up. Davy “Basher” Bates who recently returned to drumming duties, as well as the also recent return of David Shields on guitar.
The flawless grooves on bass guitar from Graham McNulty, and the blistering lead guitarist that is Steve Moore with his ever present signature flying V Jackson’s.
STORMZONE played a blistering set of old and new which never let up. From the commercially sounding “Another Rainy Night” (one of my personal favourites), to the classic “Three Kings” (another favourite), and finishing with the Whoooaaaas of the crowd participating “Death Dealer.
Harv even commented towards the end of the night at two women who were on their phones for most of the set and standing in the corner next to the stage, that the band were almost finished and that they can come off using Tinder. One of the women replied up to him that she was married, to which Harv quickly came back with, “sure everyone on Tinder is married”, which gave the audience a good laugh.
All in all, a great night, a well sized crowd with a great line-up with over three and a half hours of music at a legendary venue, and all for just £6.00. What more could you ask?
Review and Photos by David Stewart, Music Photo Factory
