Live Review: APF Records Showcase

APF Records are an independent record label based in Salford Manchester. They have a very impressive, ever growing, collection of talent on their books and once a year hold a showcase to expose and celebrate their bands. This is showcase no.3 and my first.

I walk through the door as first band War After War begin their set. A three piece playing dirty, bluesy-rock and metal. With bass high in the mix they have a slight Motörhead vibe, a vibe that has the decent sized crowd for a first band nodding along in agreement. War After War are APF’s most recent signing and a very good start to the day.

Next over to the main stage where The Grand Mal begin their set. Essentially a hard rock band with heavy sections to the music. A confidant singer leads the band and works the crowd. Not extreme music in anyway and they are accepted with open arms.

Then the first band I am really looking forward to, and one of the reasons I wanted to attend this show; Desert Storm! I have been a fan of these guys for a few years now, in fact “Sentinels” was one of my highlights of 2018. I have only seen them once before and was ready for this. As they do a quick sound check, a small framed young man walks onto the stage and hands the band their set lists. He looks like he might be a stage hand or a runner. The lights dim slightly, the back ground music fades out and the band kicks in. This small framed man grabs the mike and transforms himself into a giant. Matt Ryans voice is incredible. This band’s doom, stoner metal is incredible. I was not let down and I start the process of damaging my neck. I am very much looking forward to their forthcoming album release.

Trevor's Head then begin their set on the smaller stage, but to a large crowd. They have a sound a little different than anything so far, a bit of jazz, a bit of punk, a bit of metal. The singer gets so carried away at the start of their set he jumps and stamps on the spot, bouncing the stage timber and destroying his colleagues bass pedal arrangement. There is an apology and the show goes on. Trevor's Heads drummer is an animal who also takes on vocal duties at times. Most entertaining.

Next is Mastiff, I have heard a buzz about this band for along time but to my shame never checked them out to see what the fuss was about. Once I decided to attend this showcase, I also decided to procrastinate and wait to judge. So it's now time... Black metal sludge spits from the stage including a vocalist wearing a black balaclava. This band are immense! Dark, slow, fast, angry, and despondent. I can easily see why there was such a buzz about Mastiff, and I can say they have gained at least one more fan this afternoon. To be honest I will not be the only one.

As I wait at the front barrier resting my weary body, I wait in childish anticipation, like a fourteen year old girl waiting for Guns N Roses to come on. Because the next band on my list is Manchester’s own Barbarian Hermit! Another of the many reasons I had to attend this show. I caught them live a couple of times before, and their album “Solitude and Savagery” is a constant on my playlist. So unlike the previous band I new exactly what to expect, and received what I wanted. Including a large swig of Buckfast that singer Ed was dishing out like some kind of demented sommelier. Stoner and sludgy metal grooves float over and into an eager crowd, lapping it up as I did the free drink. The band seem to be loving it, and by the amount of heads going up and down, every one is happy. I am, and to be honest that is all that matters.

Trippy Wicked And The Cosmic Children Of The Knight carry out the brief sound check and begin their trippy, guitar based music. Backed by an excellent rhythm section they play blues, psychedelic rock really well. Apparently very important in the history of APF records they are very well received and deserve the appreciation the crowd shows them. Fuzzy blues is most enjoyable but I have been drinking since 1.30 in the afternoon and this music is far too soothing. I need a pick me up.

I switch to a refreshing cider and walk back to the room with my northern inner monologue exclaiming “Now then, a bit of thrash”. Perfectly timed to revive me Redeye Revival slay the second stage with a mix of infectious thrash and punk. Frantic head banging and fast tunes and fast shredding light up the night with their 30 min or so set. Expertly thrashed I await Battalions.

Extreme metal should not be funky. Groovy rock music cannot be extreme. It won’t work, it can’t work. But Jesus it does. Like an extreme metal version of Clutch they tear the place apart. This is truly awesome. With two albums under their belt Battalions are not new to this; in fact they formed ten years ago, honing and fine tuning this frankly unique sound. At one point the audience is a beautiful mass of punters either violently head banging or dancing, and I mean proper dancing. By the end of the set there are a few more Battalions t-shirts being worn than before. Think I may invest in one also. Brilliant.

Widows are next to hit the second stage and they close this stage as well. As vocalist Adam worries that the audience has left, he half jokingly requests that some one gather the people who are outside the venue, recovering from the Battalions set. He had no need to worry. Very soon into their opening track the room fills once again. They witness Widows play heavy, stoner metal very well. Akin to the American southern sludge sound they both entertain and impress.

PIST close out the night with their familiar stoner rock routine, performed with a quite drunk vocalist fresh from joining people in the crowd while earlier bands were playing. They close the night with a cover of No Class and the day is suddenly over.

I have to mention the excellent day and night I have had in the company of APF Records. There was a lot of genuine love for the label and its owner from all bands.

This may have been my first APF showcase, It will not be my last.