Call Of The Wild Lincoln Showground, Lincoln

Lincoln Showground, Lincoln

May 29th – June 1st

Review By Smudge Smith Images By Paul McWilliams

Friday – The first festival of the year for me – I was excited despite the looming grey clouds overhead. As I entered the arena Big Iron brought some big riffs and an interesting image then we got the modern metal from Geordie bangers Manors who feature a psycho singer and a former guitarist from Twister. They played a blinder especially with ‘The Worst Of Me’ and the mighty ‘Change’.

Norfolk alt rockers Jehenna who I have seen several times before were on the Trailblazer stage and they brought their ‘A’ game. The dual vocal interplay between Emily and the singer/keys player was awesome and the arrangement of Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Dreams’ done by drummer Cameron was superb along with ‘We Know What You People Did’, the proggy ‘Animal’ and the eastern flavoured ‘Sedated’. There were repeated calls for some product which Emily assured us will be out soon.

Lesbian Bed Death brought their brand of melodic gothic rock and were thoroughly enjoyable, if a bit scary.

Aussie brothers Sisters Doll were finishing a 14 date UK tour and played it like it was their gig too and they didn’t disappoint. They stuck some passages of the Who’s ‘Won’t Get Fooled Again’ and Budgie’s ‘Breadfan’ just for shits n giggles. They’re also a lovely bunch of blokes too. ‘Strutt’ and ‘Good Day To Be Alive’ were highlights of a storming set.

Asomvel and gave us black leather, black denim, Les Pauls and Marshall stacks. Just what the doctor ordered. Loud aggressive dirty biker rock. It was a full-on metal n roll assault that was relentless. ‘Beware The Full Moon’, ‘Cold Day In Hell’, ‘Living Outside The Law’, new track ‘Take You To Hell’, ‘Lawless’ and ‘World Taker’ just pure bludgeon.

Tailgunner are carrying the torch for real metal in the UK with their driving rhythms, twin guitar interplay and powerful vocals. It was horns and fists being thrown and a throwback to the NWOBHM.

Headliners The Commoners gave us some retro southern rock. The first three numbers were a mass of mighty riffs, soulful vocals and warm Hammond before they eased through the set and brought out the acoustics for some beautiful americana on ‘Restless’ and ‘Running Blind’ before ‘Ghost Of The Highway’ which was a perfect end to a great day of great music.