Live Review: Video Nasties, Voidlurker – Bolton

A couple of weeks ago I had the pleasure of reviewing the new Voidlurker E.P., 'Industrial Nightmare'. I was quite taken by their music so, when I discovered the E.P. launch was at a venue near me, this was an opportunity I could not resist.

First on the bill were Gods of Hellfire; I had first seen these guys back in 2014 at the 'Head Banger Balls' charity gig. Their singer is an intense gentleman on stage, he owns a bit of stage craft and a decent voice to go with it and their doomy, black metal mix goes down well with the decent size crowd.

Next on the bill are Goblinsmoker; now we go from doomy to DOOM. This is slow and heavy. I have had no experience with this band before so I was very interested to see them. For me, I enjoyed the tunes, the really slow doom appeals to me, but I can’t get friendly with the vocal style… at least live. It may blend better on a recording, but sadly not for me tonight. This, obviously was not the reaction of the whole room, so it’s good to be different.

And then the reason I am here, Voidlurker. I have complemented them on their name creation skills before in my E.P. review but have since learned the name comes from Warhammer. They perform the E.P. in its entirety, with ease and skill. The American serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer made his name by murder, rape and cannibalism, but Jeffrey Doomer (the title of one of their songs) gets his kicks by making a sweaty crowd bob their heads all in complete synchronicity. Finishing with Bitchcraft and Misery, a track that I assume will be ever their encore, due to its quality. As Brad Thomas places his guitar in its stand, cheers are shouted, horns are raised and half full pints of northern beer and strong cider are raised to sky in appreciation. It genuinely feels like being at the start of something big. I really hope so.

Now I went to this gig for Voidlurker, but was warned by my editors at The Razors Edge the if I did not watch the headline act Video Nasties I would never write for them again, so I stayed to see what the fuss was about.

What I did see was music quite different from the earlier bands, a band who’s members had been doing this for a while now in acts like Iron Witch and SSS. This was definitely not their first rodeo. An enigmatic singer who’s high heeled footwear adds a little bit of glam to a Bolton rock show. This Merseyside band are a collection of seasoned musicians out there having some rock n’ roll fun. A bit spikey, a bit punk and totally entertaining. The crowd love it and so do the band. So glad I was told I had to stay!!!