Live Review: Savage Messiah, The Sugarmill, Stoke-On-Trent 14/01/2015

SAVAGE MESSIAH (supporting Huntress & Amon Amarth)
The Sugarmill, Stoke-On-Trent
14/01/2015

It's been a busy last twelve months for Savage Messiah. On top of their third album (second release by Earache Records) they have also been blessed with a solid fan-base and even back from the government for all their hard work. The band got off to an early start this year by doing a 28 date tour alongside Viking Metallers Amon Amarth and US boneshakers Huntress armed only with Noodles and Trooper beer to keep them going. Aided with money given to them by the British Phonographic Society (and being the first metal band to have been offered this) they have been making their way across the British coast and also around Europe.

Silver plays with madness going without guitar.

"We couldn't believe it" said guitarist Joff Bailey "We just got a call from the label, next thing you know we're trending on twitter and on C4 news about how 'Metal is taking over'."
The set itself was a little short. Given the opening slot will always be difficult for a band this established, but the boys managed to keep the energy going from the start with 'Iconocaust' and kept with tracks from the latest album 'The Fateful Dark'. By 'Hellblazer' singer Dave Silvers' guitar had started to cause problems which led to the set being one track short, but the crowd did not care a jot, as it lead to him taking on the guise of his metal idol Bruce Dickenson. Plowing through 'Scavengers of Mercy' with all the brovado and confidence to floor a walrus Silver was then offer a now fixed axe for the final number 'The Fateful Dark' to which he responded "fuck it, I don't need it. I'm having too much fun."

Joff Baily cranks it to 11.

The band made for a great start up, getting the room ready for the hailstorm that were Huntress and Amon Amarth. This band surely are a work of art and if they can pack that much punch into 5 songs then a headline gig would clearly knock your rock sox off!

-------------------------------------------------------

Later in the evening there was the news that guitarist of Huntress Eli Santana was attacked and then arrested outside of the Sugarmill and released the next day without charge. It seems a group of passing drunks had decided to pick a fight and although Santana was not one to throw the first punch was carted away while police decided on what happened. For more information on the matter head to The Huntress tour blog. Lets just hope it doesn't stop either them from coming back to the UK.

Posted in: Live,Savage Messiah