VOTE NOW! Listen to our 10 Battle of the Bands finalists HERE, and then VOTE for who you want to open this summer's Bizarre Ball in London on 21 May.
(bands in no particular order...)
BAND 1: THE SHANKLIN FREAK SHOW
Eleanor says:
These guys come from Isle Of Wight tourist hotspot Shanklin, and their scary circus faces and ass-kicking boots probably go down a treat with holidaymakers hoping to browse tasteful shops of snow globes and postcards. With a sleaze-tastic, vaudevillian groove and a song called ‘Lizard Man’, which sounds like it was written for
Alex says:
The Shanklin Freak Show sound like how the best strip club in the world would sound – the solid drums are the poles, the simple yet sexy as hell guitars are the strippers, and the vocals are the burn of your favourite 40proof. They are stompy, filthy and true to their name. They have that sinister circus-like synth adding a whole new dimension to their sound. Very cool.
BAND 2: FIXIT KID
Eleanor says:
The video for Fixit Kid’s ‘Dredge The Lake’s is full of bloody, pale zombies... but you couldn’t sleep through this lot. Scary-eyed singer Mat screams blue murder, while the band’s squally, punky riffs induce fear and madness. As the chaos progresses, you’ll feel like you’ve got two choices: crawling up the walls, or rocking out madly and spilling a pint all down yourselves. Either is acceptable at the Bizarre Ball, and Fixit’s live clips show they could follow in headliner Gallows’ footsteps.
Alex says:
There are a lot of elements I like about this band: the bass lines are simplistic yet captivating, the vocals are passionate and sour, the drums are tight and the guitar work is great. BUT, I feel like there’s something ever so slightly missing from these guys, I’m not hooked from the outset and at times the recording let’s them down a touch by becoming a liiiitle bit loose. I think they need to think about the song as a whole a bit more and try and draw the listener in. I like them, I don’t love them.
BAND 3: LUCY SEVEN
Eleanor says:
Sweden’s Lucy Seven suck you in from the creepy musicbox lullaby intro of ‘Liberation’, and seal the deal with an awesome performance. Like a glammer version of fellow countrymen Backyard Babies, they take rock’n’roll, add industrial and metalcore touches, and back the whole thing with massive, snarling confidence. And with his false eyelashes, Mohawk, and snaky hips, androgynous frontman Ruby proves he can own a stage – and your souls. We’ve had this one on loop!
Alex says:
A decent gothic-rock sound with some obvious industrial influences and cool riffs. Lucy Seven for me however don’t break the mould and lack a bit of punch.
BAND 4: SOUL SANCTUARY
Eleanor says:
AFTER... LIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIFE! Fuck yeah... get in the pit! Soul Sanctuary’s ‘Afterlife’ is a delicious slice of modern metal, with verses meatier than a turducken, and a chorus more melodic than a canary on LSD. This song builds to a massive, heart-in-the-throat climax, before leaving you exhausted and fully satisfied. In their live version, Soul Sanctuary are playing to some guys dressed as Dalmatians, so there’s no doubt they could please Bizarre’s eclectic Ball crowd. They’d probably batter the stage to pieces, in a good way.
Alex says:
Euughh I’ve just been punched in my stomach, and I like it! Soul Sanctuary successfully straddle two distinct worlds of metal, the old and the new. Melodic enough to appeal to the Killswitch Engage fan whilst aggressive enough to satisfy those with old-skool metal appetites. Chunky, fast and melodic.
BAND 5: RAVENFACE
Eleanor says:
If Team Bizarre had ravenfaces, we’d hang out in the graveyard and scare people. Sadly, this Blackpool metal crew don’t look like birds, but they sound like a kick-ass homegrown Killswitch Engage. The chorus of ‘The Resurrection’ will burrow into your tiny minds, like a vicious little parasite looking to chow down on some brain. The rap in the middle sounds a little misplaced, but the soloing will win you back from the dead. They’ve got the passion to rule the roost!
Alex says:
Musically I think these guys are spot on – tight as hell, soaring guitar lines – I think the vocals however are an acquired taste, having said that the longer I listened the more I liked them. I’d imagine they’d be great live too!
BAND 6: FEARLESS VAMPIRE KILLERS
Eleanor says:
If My Chemical Romance and Panic At The Disco mated, their offspring might look like Fearless Vampire Killers. With a slick dress sense and even slicker songs, these eyelinered boys play good clean death pop. Their new romantic theatricality would rule a stage – not to mention a few hearts. They also have a song called ‘Bleed ‘Til Sunrise’ and The Fearless Vampire Killers is the name of a Roman Polanski comedy horror film. What’s not to like?
Alex says:
Although Fearless Vampire Killers have the introspective darkness of one of the biggest rock acts in the world today (My Chemical Romance), I can’t help feel they haven't quiiiiite found their sound. However the talent is there, the style is there and they are an incredibly promising prospect. Great riffs and some soaring melodies make for a great listen.
BAND 7: STONERUN
Eleanor says:
StoneRun’s singer looks like a lunatic version of Biffy Clyro’s Simon Neil, and there’s something compelling behind his wide eyes. In ‘Tainted’, the Steel City fivesome come over like a more melodic Queens Of The Stone Age, playing sweaty rock
Alex says:
Listening to Stone Run isn’t like being on the receiving end of a Mike Tyson-style haymaker, however what they do do is deliver a nice slice of spiky riotous rock and roll without forgetting the importance of a hook and the hooks they provide would be useful even to Leatherface – and I’d rather have Leatherface on side than Mike Tyson! So Stone Run 1, shit things 0.
BAND 8: SPLITMIND
Eleanor says:
SplitMind are like an updated Pitchshifter, cranking out fiery rap metal with an industrial slant. While they aren’t re-inventing metal, and their 1990s baggy pants are a crime against fashion and nature, their growls induce headbanging and their soaring vocals really fly. SplitMind are perfect for those who love to rock out to nu-metal classics every weekend, and would definitely put bounce in the Bizarre Ball moshpit.
Alex says:
A nice blend of late 90s nu-metal with some modern electronics, Splitmind may not be reinventing the wheel but with their chunky guitars and old-skool style punk-rap vocals they certainly hit the spot in the genre. Both vocalists deliver and if you like Fear Factory and Disturbed the chances are you may find a place in your heart for Splitmind. They would definitely benefit from better recordings though.
BAND 9: TANKUS THE HENGE
Eleanor says:
Playing gypsy cabaret in the style of Bizarre Ball favourites The Tiger Lillies, Tankus The Henge amble around a winding instrumental path, which is like the soundtrack to a drunken stumble home via a maze. At the Secret Garden Party, they managed to attract a group of punters onstage, including one sporting bunny ears. At the Bizarre Ball, they’d probably get toes tapping, before starting a good old drunken freakshow knees-up.
Alex says:
Exciting, different and interesting. I’m not a fan of judging from live performances alone as sometimes it’s unclear where the “song” is. HOWEVER, these guys are clearly tight and have an incredible almost carnival-vibe! It takes talent and guts to create music with so many influences and so many musicians, Tankus The Henge don’t just pull it off then TEAR it off! Haha – if that makes sense.
BAND 10: ASBO RETARDS
Eleanor says:
These big, dumb, fun Brighton punks know what you want, and how to give it to you. Competition entry ‘Called In Sick’ is a raucous song about bunking off – ladies, check out the sexy shots of their denim-clad bums – while other songs include the subtle ‘Lily’s Arsehole’ and ‘Kiss With A Fist’. Asbo Retards probably live in the pub, and they’re the perfect soundtrack to beer-swilling, vomiting, and having a good time.
Alex says:
At times they may not be the tightest band I’ve ever heard, but who gives a fuck – this is PUNK!!!! Fast, aggressive yet fun with ample opportunities for crowds to scream their lungs out.
MORE FILM AND MUSIC
