The Anvil, Bournemounth
Venomfest is turning into a must do, clear the calendar, don’t let anything else get in the way event for me. The quality of the bands on show and the music they play (Sludge, Stoner, Psychedelic and Doom) is phenomenal.
I missed local stoner boys Dead Lettuce who kicked off the whole thing at 7pm, but arrived in time to catch another local band Greenhorn, who started tearing up the Anvil immediately. Their low down Doom causing shock waves among those who haven’t experienced them live yet. Track “Witches Brindle” rapidly become a firm favourite on my playlist and played to perfection tonight.
Next up were Portsmouth boogie crew Tricorn. Racking up the rock n roll vibes and letting loose with a party atmosphere, they got the Anvil crowd grooving to their kick ass stoner sound. London based Amulet up the pace even more with their NWOBHM influenced rock, think Raven meets Witchfinder General. Jamie Elton’s top notch wailing made a nice change from the standard throaty singing and gave the band a new dynamic on the night.
Caravan of Whores returned to Venomfest with a vengeance. The last time they played the drummer broke the bass drum, this time he found way to knacker the pedal. One was quickly sourced though and they carried on, delivering an excellent set with a triumphant rendition of their original composition Your God Is Dead.
Having reviewed album “All Too Human” on these pages I was really looking forward to seeing Brighton progressive stoner outfit Enos and I wasn’t disappointed. Opting for a selection of their heavier songs befitting the event vibe, they absolutely nailed it. They incorporated some psychedelic guitar pedal knob twiddling, to produce some real trippy effects adding to the shows diversity. Band of the evening for me!
I didn’t drive tonight so by the time Serpent Venom hit the stage, I was a bit bladdered to say the least! As is traditional now, Venomfest closed with a traditional Doom band and these guys were heavy as fuck. Punishing riffs steamrolled the assembled punters who so ate up the unholy commotion like Jackals devouring a Rhino carcass. Roll on Venomfest V!
Words and Photos: Dan “okay just the one” O’Gara.
