Rockinburgh Festival – Rockin’ for Tots.

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Date – 27th/29th Sept 24

Day – Saturday 28th September

Venue – La Belle Angéle, Edinburgh

Photographs and Review by Linda McDermott

Bands

LA Wizard

Jeanice Lee

Battalion of Flies

Fury

King Kraken

Molly Karloff

White Raven Down

Day two of the festival and unfortunately headliners Oli Brown and the Dead Collective can’t make it to the festival due to illness, I hope it is nothing too serious and recovery is well under way.

This of course is unforeseeable, but organisers, Andy and Gill have done a wee bit of reorganisation, and local band Battalion of Flies step in to the breach.

With the first band due on stage there are around forty people in the venue to see the first live performance of LA Wizard. Formed by a group of friends who met in college, this young heavy metal band brings a raw energy to the day. Their sound is influenced by the likes of the band Helmet, as they add a cover of ‘Milquetoast’ to their set. This cover hints at their love for heavy, gritty riffs and tight, aggressive rhythms, which are hallmarks of their own original compositions. A great first gig from the five-piece that was appreciated by everyone there.

Next up is Jeanicelee who are a band that delivers a distinctive rock sound. Fronted by Jeanice with her haunting voice she captivates the audience with her stage presence. Each member of the band is accomplished in their respective roles, with guitar riffs that seamlessly meld into the songs, creating an emotive and immersive experience. Their music feels both innovative and deeply connected to the roots of melodic rock music.

Jeanice dedicates a song to the struggles of musicians in an era dominated by streaming platforms, highlighting the hard work and passion that bands invest despite limited financial rewards for their efforts.

With their unique sound and undeniable talent, they are a great choice for the festival, with the audience agreeing with me, as they cheer and applause their performance.

Video

My Heart Is Complicated https://youtu.be/ml0FdsKUbUI?si=NEAnd3yS88dIHygG

Up next are Edinburgh based Battalion of Flies who step in like superheroes to the rescue. The four-piece grungy hard rock band have a raw, intense sound that draws some comparisons to Soundgarden and Alice in Chains, with distorted guitar riffs and emotionally charged lyrics that bring the spirit of 90s hard rock grunge to life.

The band are on the verge of releasing their new album, which promises to capture the same gritty energy they bring to their live performances. I’m eagerly awaiting its release as their music channels the essence of grunge while adding their own unique hard rock twist, making them a rising force in the modern rock scene. Their creativity and talent make them ones to watch.

The album is due out on the 4th of October with an album launch scheduled for the 12th of October at The Hive, Edinburgh.

Video

Where We Hide https://youtu.be/zU7Us9sKW1g?si=n6mf1_pD9JpYNYmC

Fury erupts onto the stage at a rate of knots. This heavy metal band is a powerhouse of energy, captivating everyone in the room from the moment they hit that first note. With the main vocals being shared between Julian and Nyah, the band offers a dynamic blend of intensity and harmony, with them sharing the spotlight and bringing a unique balance to their sound. Their contrasting vocals amplify the creativity of their music, with melodic and hard rock sounds weaving seamlessly together.

The band’s chemistry extends beyond the vocals, with the rest of the band, Tom (drums) Becky (bass) and Tom Atkison (guitar) creating heavy-hitting music that the audience are lapping up.

Currently working on their fifth album, the band continues to evolve, showcasing their relentless drive and dedication. Keep them on your ones to watch list as they keep growing in the rock scene.

Video

Prince of Darkness https://youtu.be/UsiDcU8BaUY?si=IU0KARv9HUMRKHq9

King Kraken are up next, delivering a powerful performance that fused the best of their debut album with fresh tracks from their upcoming second release. Their set

opened with raw, hard-hitting songs such as ‘Green Terror,’ and ‘Haddonfield 78’ driven by thunderous drums, heavy riffs, and the brutal intensity of Mark’s voice. As their set progressed, the band revealed a more emotional side with a new song dedicated to the loss of Mark’s father and to those who have lost loved ones. The band’s dynamic range was on full display, proving their ability to shift from heavy, aggressive rock to poignant, heartfelt moments.

I am looking forward to hearing the band’s evolution from their first album, ‘MCLXXX’ to their forthcoming release as it promises even greater things ahead for the band if tonight’s performance is anything to go by.

Video

Man Made Monster https://youtu.be/GIcmezxU6T4?si=UfqN6j6e-vd_ILis

I’ve seen Molly Karloff, a three-piece band from Oxford, a few times now, and they are definitely ones to watch. Though their set began with technical difficulties, they quickly turned things around and had the small crowd hooked. Their performance was packed with powerful rock tunes, each song building on the last.

While their influences from the likes of Soundgarden and Alice in Chains were clear, the band have created their own sound that defies pigeon holing, and that’s a good thing!

One standout moment came when Joey stepped out from behind his drums to dedicate a song to drummer, Robin Guy, who sadly passed away a few weeks ago. This added a heartfelt and poignant touch to the song which was cheered by their fans in a show of respect.

Molly Karloff deserve recognition for their music, and if you would like to see why, get yourself along to one of their gigs. You can check out where they are playing at www.mollykarloff.co.uk

Video

Breaking Out https://youtu.be/LZkUJfI8XoY?si=6ieteXGR3D4vmneu

White Raven Down are the final band to take to the stage on day two of the festival. With around thirty to forty people eager to hear them play, they delivered an exceptional performance, that was both melodic and powerful in its delivery.

Their setlist was filled with great songs from their last album ‘Don’t Shoot The Messenger,’ and their debut album ‘Conspiracy’ which showcases their talent and versatility. Both albums are well worth a listen if you haven’t already done so, as they are exceptional.

With the band being around for just over eight years and moving from a four-piece to a three-piece, with Stu taking on the vocals, they have seen some changes that absolutely work for them and their music.

Despite a small crowd, the band played with full intensity, making it clear to me that they deserved a much larger audience tonight.

I am now waiting on album number three to see where it takes them on their upward journey because the band are relentless with their great rock songs.

Video

Stole My Light https://youtu.be/7zI2JK3SQ5w?si=jghN6j8kt4sFybYx

This brings us to the end of day two with another day to come.

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