Stormbringer Transcendence album launch,

Roadmender Northampton, 11/09/26.

Review by Dave G Martin and all images Carol Henson (aka LadyGigger) for Jace Media Music.

We’re absolutely thrilled to be covering this special gig tonight for the local Northampton band – we have known these guys for a long time now, through interviews, album reviews – going way back and of course photography.

It’s a special night as it is the album launch of their fifth album Transcendence and the band sold out the small room and were promoted to the big hall to play tonight.

The band are Mike Stockley lead vocals, the two guitarists Darren Caven-Quantrill and Ashley Smith, bassist Barney Byron and on drums Darren’s twin brother Jon Paul Quantrill.

They are supported tonight by two other bands Silence Mutant with Jay Quantrill lead vocals, Ashe Whiteman guitar, Steve Henesey bass, and Duncan Ackland-Webster on the drums and from the heart of the Midlands alt rock band Bright Black.

First up Silence Mutant, very popular going by the size of the crowd already, they play classic rock with a mix of grunge with Jay roaring at the audience, he has an impressive stage presence with a good voice to match.

Ther first song Into Pieces was grungy with a bit a bit of doom metal, the deep boomy bass line echoing through the hall.

Upping the tempo for Ad Majorem Del Glorium translated it means for the greater glory of God and the more I listened it had the sound of Ozzys No more tears or is that just me?

The wonderfully titled Smokey Joe’s Hammer followed.

Jay was sporting a Ghosts of Chapel Town shirt, the title of their forthcoming debut album out in a fortnight.

Then it was time to have a beer and go backstage and see the guys – it had been a long time and a catch up was needed.

What I saw and heard of the band I liked a lot they are tight and have a good following.

Their album should sell well.

Set List. Into Pieces, Gloriam, Smokey Joes Hammer, Pseudo Placebo, Matchstick Men, Silence & Static, Not in Vain.

I recently saw a few videos of the next band Bright Black and was really impressed, I was looking forward to seeing them do their stuff live.

Talitha on lead vocals, James guitar, Witt bass, and Alex drums.

Talitha has a great stage image: dressed in black leather with matching boots and her distinctive black and red hair; I’m assuming this is where the band title comes from.

The most impressive trait is her vocal range: along with a death metal growl at times, which is heard immediately on their first song Left for Dead, totally commanding the stage engaging all the time with the crowd. Bitter Pill and Close to the Edge were next,then Overdrive whichgave James a chance to show us his guitar skills. They have a good rhythm section keeping the whole thing together.

The band have a new EP out now. Their single Part of Me had thecrowd fist pumping and joining in on the chorus, I turned around to look and the band were really winning them over.

Then came the new single Who am I released tomorrow the 12^th September, this is a fast and furious number and all the guys had a chance to shine on this.

The riff laden Alterescence {under my skin}. Talitha jumped and bounced around the stage hand clapping and keeping the crowd entertained,

I get a big Evanescence influence from them, ending their excellent set With What Doesn’t Kill You.

I can see this band going places in this industry and I look forward to hearing an album from them in the future.

Now for the band who, due to their popularity, sold out the small performance room and were promoted to this main hall, the band everyone had come here to see tonight, Northampton’s very own Stormbringer.

As mentioned earlier this is the album launch of their new fifth album Transcendence which explores the struggles of that black dog depression, and other awful illnesses where people just find it so hard to cope with day-to-day life, but turning negatives into positives with inner strength.

Kicking off with one of the new singles Energy this song really lives up to its title with Mike and the guys whipping the rammed hall into a frenzy straight away.

Continuing with two classic numbers Bleed For, and We Got the Right, Darren displaying some incredible axe work on each of them. Next were three from the new album Busy Doing Nothing, All Along, and another single the wonderful Dirt and Bone. Listening to these new songs I definitely think this new album has taken the band to another level.

Mike has a very powerful vocal and some of these songs really test it out, he has so much charisma always laughing and joking with the audience which makes him the consummate frontman.

Darren’s guitar work is so much more technical now along with Ashley, they compliment each other so well. The rhythm section of Barney and Jon keeping the whole set flowing and solid they are a duo extraordinaire

A little later in to the set Mike leaves the energetic persona behind and shows his emotional side with a song that means a lot to him and he dedicates it to everyone out there who has lost someone but they are always in our hearts, the brilliant and poignant Mourning Roses.

Mike sheds a tear and kisses the sky after this number but soon gets back into his groove. The final new song Grow is next.

Thenhe shows he is the perfect frontman that any band would love to have by getting everyone going batshit crazy singing along with the final two classic songs from their debut album anthem Grinder and Dying Breed.

This was the only Northampton date on the tour and man if the rest of it is half as good as tonight then you guys are in for a massive treat.

Setlist, Energy Bleed for, WGTR, No Redemption, Busy doing Nothing, All Along, Dirt and Bone, Stick to your Guns, Mirage, Whole Again, Ritual, Medication, Mourning Roses, Grow, Grinder, Dying Breed.