REAL GONE GOES OUT: Lamb of God – Brixton Academy, London 18/01/2014

After Randy Blythe was arrested on a charge of manslaughter in the Czech Republic in June 2012, the future of Lamb of God was uncertain.  If found guilty, it would put the band on hold for approximately a decade – and given that their 2011 release ‘Resolution’ placed the band further into the big league, the timing could not be more unfortunate.  Understandably, given the good news of his innocence – a decision reached in March 2013 – the band’s first return to the UK just under a year later is cause for celebration; their show at London’s Brixton Academy is, unsurprisingly, a sell-out.

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SEVEN DEADLY – Obliviation

seven deadlySeven Deadly’s debut release, the ‘Allegiance EP’, gained the band positive coverage from lots of different corners of the rock press, with independent websites, established magazines and one-man bloggers practically falling over themselves to praise the British quintet.  From the ashes of Panic Cell, this then new band proved that they had so much to give.   …And a year down the road, with their first full length release, the band shows no signs of tiring.  If anything, they sound even better.

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BENEDICTUM – Obey

benedictumBenedictum’s third album ‘Dominion’ (released in 2010) presented a huge step forward for the US power metal outfit.  Their first release for Frontiers Records afforded the band a bigger budget than their previous and Benedictum seemed to relish this new beginning.  While the lyrics left much to be desired, musically it wasn’t a complete loss, including some impressive riffs throughout, bolstered by more than a few chunky drum parts.  ‘Dominion’ wasn’t an especially great record, but  by comparison, 2013’s ‘Obey’ is a crushing disappointment.

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