Review and photos by Gary and Callum Roebuck
Friday 23rd October ‘26
“Holyrude comes to Bathvegas”
We have an intro of “Skin and Bones” as
this 6 piece hit the stage with barely an inch left to play around as a brand new line up with new singer “Ksymena” playing her debut gig after only a couple of rehearsals in the last month and boy you wouldn’t know it she fits like a glove.
“Are we ready?” – Yes we are – and we are off drums,3 guitars and bass what a volume from the off “Round and Round” hits the spot as the melodies kick in and the first ear splitting instrumental from “Conn” ripped jeans,Motley Crew tee before an energy sapping drum finale from “Chris”
Lead and drums kick off with Christian on bass “Skin ‘n’ Bones” is as punky a sound as you’ll here this side of the pond melodies with “Josh” on rhythm guitar shades and baseball cap I’m loving the start with leather jacketed Iron Maiden teeshirt wearing “Nick” giving his all covering the right side of the stage as his own, whilst Ksymena already has the audience captured with Chris on drums and Christian delivering the rhythm the volume is bursting from the amps I love the raw punchy vocals.
“Lies” has a classy intro before vocals kick in the 3 guitars giving this outfit a different dimension to most bands “Lies” is that tune that has you humming along with backing vocals from the boys giving an air to the tunes with all on stage bursting with energy the vocals from Ksymena being reached is astonishing 3 songs in with another mesmerizing solo from the long haired Conn
Drinks on stage are requested by Christian such is the energy even this early in the set – wow – I,m loving this local outfit who are on the rise.
“Memories” written by Conn, what a tune with drums and guitar from the boys kicking in a slower start not many bands can go low and reach high in one tune this has it – a quieter vocal before the rush as the guys have lost the jackets this is one “hard rock” outfit peppered with class with Chris on drums keeping everyone in check I’m loving the vocal range and the energy from Ksymena with Christian delivering the deep bass I,d goosebumps at the end of this epic tune.
“Dynamite’ is just that with an intro on drums before we are all guns blazing this one oozes class as Ksymena goes all sultry “ooh oohs” back the vocals before the guys give us another headbanging solo mid song before “Dynamite” explodes again a “crescendo” of noise in “Dreadnought” tonight what a 20 minute extravaganza.
“Stay Away” keeps the juggernaut support for “Gypsy Pistoleros” tonight at top notch these guys are not by any means a here to support band they mean business “Every Gig” with “Stay Away” being released as a single with Ksymena,s new vocals “watch out here we come” drums,rhythm,bass – it all leads into another classic with the guys delivering another tune in the epic catalogue this is one outfit who deserve a bigger stage with their presence the rhythm from Josh, the lead,the bass is there before another instrumental from the boys as drums crash and chords get ripped – I,m going to state – “You don’t like this” – then what is wrong with you – pure raw energy what I,d give to have the energy Chris has on drums as another searing vocal ends.
“Saved Me” gives us another legendary intro from the boys before vocals kick in I’ve left to now how Ksymena has swayed and pouted through the gig effortlessly she is one sassy addition to the band, what energy this band has and will go far with this line up,it’s great that the guys can drop down and rise up through each song melody and backing vocals have been to the fore tonight this one again with Josh shades and baseball cap shredding the chords along with Conn is astonishing this is another tow tapper what a set of songs with two to go.
Penultimate tune “Addiction” will have you hooked as another drum bursting intro with all guitars blazing this is up there as a stadium anthem in its own right from these guys such is the ferocity throughout as it gives us an angst ridden vocal another one of those raw punchy, punky, edged tunes as the 3 guitars rip it up with drums and bass this is one awesome tune I dare you to hate it what an ending.
Set closer “Take me Back” has Ksymena launching right into vocals before the guys step in remember the name “Holyrude Vault” Ksymena delivers a last lung bursting vocal with energy sapping backing from the boys, the drums I’m surprised have lasted this set the bruising they have taken,put this lot on your must see in 2027 list, before Ksymena delivers one last vocal with the appreciative crowd clapping along as this “fireworks set” comes to a close in the “Dreadnought” housed in the West Lothian town of Bathgate, this “Vault” should come with a warning, what a set closer 40 minutes pure class.
Guys thanks for the opportunity to review you and I look forward to what the future holds for you.
Until the next time – Adios Gazza ✌️.
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