Blanket Coverage.
I crept up the backstairs of the venue like a canny burglar and sat in the corridor, listening to the soundchecks. Much to my delight, Anna from headliners Cellar Darling strolled passed and I instinctively jumped up and grabbed a cheeky off the record chat in the cramped and dimly lit hallway. She was thrilled to hear that I had enjoyed the new material and was looking forward to the show tonight.
Appearance Of Nothing
Finally, we were allowed in and saw Appearance Of Nothing make a start in this quite small venue. For the geographically challenged, singer, Omar Cuna, differentiates between Sweden and Switzerland, the latter being where they are from. They sound like Dream Theatre, a little Celtic Frost, but are quite adept in the ways of progressive metal. With a new album, In Times Of Darkness, available now, they embark on a tour to promote the new songs. A very classical, operatic feel envelopes the room as we listen intently to the man with the funky mic stand.
“Please take all my dreams” he implores, I’m not sure I can do that my friend, sounds a little scary.
Anna Murphy joins them onstage for “Storm” as they work tirelessly to engage the audience, which at this time was quite thin on the ground. The music is heavy duty, but not so much so that we are crushed under its weight. Maybe we would have enjoyed it more if they were on later and there was a bigger crowd. I think the band felt that too. Nevertheless, a strong performance from a band that deserve a bit more support.
After the changeover we welcome Blanket, all the way from Blackpool( Hello Boston Manor) who are here to support their new album, How to Let Go. A slower , and more measured dose of metal here, but still quite cutting and angst ridden, There is a distinct scientific feel, the kind of music you’d expect in a sci-fi movie, it seems a bit more technical and more precise in its outlook. If I’m right they began with a Deftones cover, Knife Party, and moved with a certainty, an honesty and a perseverance that has brought them thus far, and that will undoubtedly shape their futures. Not having heard much like this, it was quite surprising and enriching and a world away from the crash, bang, wallop metal we are used to hearing. With “This Moment Right Here” and “Turn Ourselves To Stone” to finish the set, we are directed to the merch stand to offer our support for new music.
It’s sad that there are so many artists vying for our attention, and the industry is like a meat market, only the strongest will survive, and I think Blanket have that edge, because their sound and approach is quite different, which will hold them in good stead amongst their peers.
Night Of The Hurdy Gurdy
Please don’t be scared my friends, it’s not a monster, it’s not the bogeyman, but it is a magnificently strange looking instrument that is the baby of singer Anna Murphy – wind it up and watch it go, it’s superb!
Showcasing songs old and new, we here in Birmingham felt all warm and fuzzy inside when Anna told us that the UK fanbase is more galvanised and unrelenting, which is why the new album was being premiered here, rather than on mainland Europe, yippee, I say!
There is something very Kate Bush ( help me someone, help me please…) in her delivery, in her expression, and in her voice. Quite staggering as she also does a mighty fine flute solo too. “Black Moon” kicks things off and we stand as if entranced by whole spectacle.
“Pain” was the first song off the new LP, The Spell, quickly followed by “Death” and then “Love”- it may seem a little obscure, but the new material is centred on the idea of a maiden being in love with the personification of death. The imagery that accompanies these songs is nothing short of stunning, it is a like a fairy-tale, it is enchanting and imaginative.
The common thread running through is one of dreaming, sleeplessness, a hunger, a passion, maybe a love unrequited and all sorts of other emotions, as we are carried away on waves of human emotion, which can be as fickle as it is fierce.
We are treated to a rollicking hurdy gurdy solo, and also a beautiful rendition of “The Prophet’s Song” by Queen. It is a difficult song to play, it has been said that Queen themselves haven’t played it live that much. She is a one- woman choir, my friends, almost fairy-like herself in stature but the immense power that she brings to the show is irrefutable. I could feel myself keeling over at times, just drawn in by the music and what it all symbolised.
With “Redemption” to wrap things up tonight, we leave the venue, quite giddy quite overcome, as the sound of the hurdy gurdy rings in our ears and into the night sky.