The last day already, but it’s a decent morning and thanks to rather a lot of that fruity cider yesterday, I slept really well. Another eight bands on today and again it all starts just after noon. So there’s plenty of time to get breakfast and chat to camping neighbours about the highlights of the festival so far. First band are another of my favourites, so I stick my ‘Ashen Reach’ t shirt on and head over to the front of the stage.
ASHEN REACH I never tire of listening to the ‘Homecoming’ album, the debut from these five Liverpudlians. After three years in existence they are finally getting on the festival roster’s and opening Steelhouse today is a mighty achievement. I am not alone in wearing an A.R shirt, most of the folk around me have too, making Red,White and Black rows of people, down by the stage. You would be wrong to think this has all come easy, but back in 2019 after supporting ‘Bullet For My Valentine’ in Russia, the band imploded leaving only three members. The decision to carry on however has since been justified, with new vocalist Kyle Stanley and guitarist Joe O’Sullivan on board. We only get five tracks off the album today, but as they start with ‘Fighting For My Life’ it isn’t long before the Steelhouse crowd are loving what they hear. It does have a catch of a riff and the band are extremely good on the eye, with Kyle wandering to and fro, those dreadlocks of Joe’s flying in all directions and the lush drumming from Jess Stanley. Another scintillating riff on ‘Heir To The Throne’ which heralds more levels and more emotion. It creeps into full view after the massive build up and we have heads nodding in unison around the site. Their second single ‘Prey’, then ‘Epiphany’ and finally ‘Homecoming’ make up the set and it’s been amazing. The queue at the signing tent later, was so long they had to stop people joining it !
I caught up with the band the day before in the guest area, watch the interview here –
Filmed By Lee Greenhough
THESE WICKED RIVERS Time to deck the stage with those flowery lampshades and hippy throws, as the guys from Derbyshire are ready to entertain. ’Shine On’ from the brilliant ‘Eden’ album is the opener and rather fitting for a Sunday afternoon. They only have enough minutes to play five songs, but their style of groove is so infectious, it’s just immense to see them. ‘Force Of Nature’ and the captivating ‘Evergreen’ follow and John Hartwell and company look so cool up there. It must be the hats and dark sunglasses, or the laid back attitude that oozes from these five, as they simply own that stage. If you have a copy of the ‘II’ EP form 2017, or have watched TWR before, you will be familiar with ‘Testify’ a song that saunters along with mellowness and bruising bursts of guitar. Southern Rock in so many aspects, but home grown and ‘Don’t Pray For Me’ also off that EP, brings the proceedings to a soulful end. The band have a crowd funder set up for album number two –
Head to https://www.thesewickedrivers.com/category/crowdfunder to get involved
These Wicked Rivers are – John Hartwell – Lead Vocals & Rhythm Guitar. Arran Day – Lead Guitar. Rich Wilson – Multi-instrumentalist & Backing Vocals. Dale Tonks – Bass. Dan Southall – Drums
Photo Copyright MPM – KS 2022
KING HERD Are a new four piece from Birmingham, who have been in previous bands together. Also a band who I haven’t seen before, so I was keen to get near the front. I have to get the note book out straight away, as they are dealing out some awesome music. ’The Same’ and ‘Close To The End’ are hard, pressing and grunge in texture. Swirling guitar, riffs and harmonies, wow these guys have it all. The new single ‘Halo’ begins with more dense chords by Tom Longworth and sumptuous bass from Ray Loverock. With the vocals of Dave Taylor coming in, the song harkens on the bands alternative rock influences and spreads into melodic bliss. ‘Medicine’ is more direct and again Dave’s voice is impressive. The backing vocals add a spellbinding layer and it’s just so head swayingly brilliant. ‘Save Me’ will feature on the upcoming album and after the stellar track ‘Remedy’ which has some really decent sticks by Karl Brazil, they bow out with ‘I Used To Be Somebody Else’. Love the sound and visually they are great to watch. Check them out, I notice they are getting a lot of bookings so there’s no excuse.
I had a chat with ‘King Herd’ afterwards, watch the impromptu interview here –
Filmed by Rachel Tomlinson
GREEN LUNG The pagan titles that govern the ‘Green Lung’ set may be slightly misleading for some of the uninitiated. Yes, they are lovers of the darkness, but it’s more spiritual than devil worshipping, as the band’s name implies. Anyway up the mountain, they are home from home, the Welsh wilderness being a perfect backdrop for their performance. ‘The Harrowing’, ‘Old Gods’ and ‘You Bear The Mark’ are all off the recent ‘Black Harvest’ album and as they utter forth we delve into other worlds. I suppose years ago, they would be labeled as ‘Prog’ or in the same vein as ’Hawkwind’ and ‘Steve Hillage’. In 2022 it’s more political and leaning further towards environment issues, but the basic messages are the same. All in all, this band from London are fresh, appealing and different, they wake you from slumber and with songs like ‘Reapers Scythe’ and ‘Woodland Rite’s’ open up your innermost senses. ‘Let The Devil In’ the last number, has a more satanic theme, as they are fond of the mystic and they certainly gained a few more cult followers today, judging from the applause around the field.
Photo Copyright MPM – KS 2022
DIAMOND HEAD Brian Tatler is a local legend of mine, ‘Radio Moscow’ was just one of the other band’s I saw him with back in the day. When I worked in Stourbridge, I would often bump into him in the high street, so it was nice to catch up with Brian after ‘Diamond Head’ played their set. I was so glad they were here, as I missed them at the Barcelona Rockfest, (they were rescheduled at 2pm with an hours notice!) Anyway, at 4.50pm the rock god guitarist is on stage with his band and it’s time for hell to break loose. The classic track ‘Play It Loud’ is followed by ‘The Messenger’ from the album ‘The Coffin Train’ and it’s a blistering piece of workmanship. I don’t have to list the set from Steelhouse, you know the score, but the newer ‘Belly Of The Beast’ and ‘Shades Of Black’ mixed up with the older favourites and of course the encore ‘Am I Evil’ prove conclusively that together with Rasmus Bom Anderson on vocals, this is as strong as the NWOBHM legends Diamond Head, have been for years and we are going back to 1976!
The legendary debut album ‘Lightning To The Nations’ aka ‘The White Album’ has been remastered and feature the master tapes that Lars Ulrich helped Brian with back in 1990. With alternative mixes of “Lightning To The Nations”, “The Prince”, “Sucking My Love”, “Am I Evil?” & “Sweet And Innocent” that have never been publicly released before! Pre-Order here – https://lnk.to/LightningToTheNations21
Photo Copyright MPM – KS 2022
ORANGE GOBLIN Did you know this London band go back to 1995 and as far as I can recall there’s only been one change in the line up. That was only at the end of 2020 when founder and bassist Martyn Millard sadly decided to step down and was replaced by Harry Armstrong. Raucous and excessive noise merchants, ‘Orange Goblin’ are just the band for this early evening. It’s all getting a bit hazy after nearly three days and we are in need of some more brutal metal offerings, that started previously with Diamond Head, to keep us fully alert. The launch into ’Scorpionica’ is cosmic and as Ben Ward adds his vocals it all gets very turbulent. Wizzing guitar by Joe Hoard is followed by distant vocal echoing and the the riffage returns with a massive onslaught. After the toxic heaven that is ‘Sons Of Salem’ where Ben growls in his best ‘Lemmy’ manner, we hear more that are not only resident on the Goblin set list, but also feature on the recommended live album ‘Rough & Ready, Live & Loud’. Venomous numbers like ‘Sarumans Wish’, Made Of Rats’ and ‘Renegade’ the latter is dedicated to Mr Kilmister and the Motörhead crew. Which the late lamented hero would love the sound of. Pounding drum bashing by Chris Turner is the base on ‘The Devils Whip’ while Joe’s strings scream out in accord. Penultimate track ‘The Fog’ encroaches like it’s title, slowly winding up in density to smother us in another howling riff and subsonic vocals. Which leaves them to finish on ‘Red Tide Rising’ a force of immense character, to match the bands persona. Brilliant set, I’ve seen them a lot recently and they just get further under my skin each time.
Photo Copyright MPM – KS 2022
MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP I think it was with U.F.O at a Reading Festival, that I first watched Michael Schenker. Then with the Scorpions and M.S.G which must be as far back as the early 80’s. Tonight he is here at Steelhouse as part of his 50th Anniversary celebrations with long time friend and cohort, vocalist Robin McAuley, who is standing in for Ronnie Romero. A list of songs stretching back on a career, that has seen the guitarist play with some of the biggest names in rock and front his own projects, at stadiums all over the world. This is a masterclass on how to perform for any budding bands watching here. Apart from ‘Sail The Darkness’ and ‘A King Has Gone’ which are off recent albums, the fifteen listed are from the past and there are eight U.F.O. numbers. I’m not complaining though, like a few in the audience, I can sing along to the likes of ‘Doctor,Doctor’ and ‘Lights Out’ anytime. But it does show how much that band are held in respect with Michael and what an array of magical songs they have produced. So as we venture further into the night with ’Shoot, Shoot, ’Too Hot To Handle’ and finally ‘Only You Can Rock Me’ it’s been a memorable one and my throat is hurting now from all the singing !
MSG at Steelhouse were – Michael Schenker – Lead guitar. Robin McAuley – Vocals. Steve Mann – Guitar / Keyboards. Bodo Schopf – Drums. Barend Courbois – Bass
Photo Copyright MPM – KS 2022
EUROPE Joey Tempest, gosh remember that hair and those chiselled looks. Fair play to the man, he still looks good and is full of charm, as he ventures up to the front of the stage extension. Mainly because of some minor technical issue that’s preventing the start of the show, so he chats to us and asks someone what their favourite Europe song is. I would have chosen something other than ‘The Final Countdown’ but I guess when you have Joey holding a mic in your face, your mind switches off ! Eighteen songs for the headliners to get through and first up is a new song ‘Walk The Earth’ which is the eponymous track from the last studio album, number eleven would you believe and recorded at the Abbey Road Studios. ‘Rock The Night’ with its ‘Whoa Oh, Whoa Oh’ chant is more familiar territory and one of the bands most successful ballads ‘Carrie’ is well received. Lots of interaction with the audience and a few light hearted moments from Joey, make it a superb show. I did wonder if I would last to the end, but they were so engrossing that I was like a rabbit in the headlights throughout ! It’s surprising how many classic’s you remember, ‘Heart Of Stone’, ‘Cherokee’ and even ‘The Final Countdown’ were so well presented.
Photo Copyright MPM – KS 2022
Europe were on fire tonight and brought the festival to a spectacular end. As the fireworks lit up the Welsh sky, we slowly stumbled back to the campsite, tired and drained but having had a wonderful weekend. Steelhouse always delivers, a great atmosphere and so friendly. A big thank you to all the organisers and crew, security, bar staff and stall holders. You all made it another festival to remember.
Photo credits and thanks to Kelly Spiller – All photos – Copyright MPM-KS 2022
Thanks to Lee Greenhough for filming Ashen Reach & Rachel Tomlinson for filming King Herd.
