GIG REVIEW: Riot City / Seven Sisters @ The Black Heart (London, UK)

Two of NWOTHM titans separated only by the Atlantic join forces tonight in the capital of England.

First up Seven Sisters deliver melody, progression but more than anything anthemic Heavy Metal. Their guitar leads entwine in a manner that would be welcome on “Seventh Son of a Seventh Son” while ethereal vocals and powerful drumming alongside strong bass presence give plenty of punch to the sound. These guys play with a tightness that has clearly been very well practised and yet have a sort of mystique to their sound (especially on my favourite track “The Artifice”) that is bewitching to behold. An excellent start to events and a worthy band to share the stage with the Alberta attackers who followed.

Canadian Heavy / Speed Metal masters Riot City follow up, the atmosphere already electrified, it is time to feel the steel. With plenty of cuts from both of their stellar records, the audience able to sing along to all, the entire set felt like a high-octane rush of power. The entire band’s commanding stage presence and Jordan’s impeccable vocal delivery was enough to hold attention while the face-melting guitar attack, punishing drums (complete with rototoms) and rumbly, gritty bass felt like a true capsule of 80s Heavy Metal worship. Highlights such as “Eye Of The Jaguar”, “Burn The Night”, “Paris Nights” and “In The Dark” all had the exact sound of the records nailed with the added fury of the live performance. The night culminated in a gloriously chaotic, impassioned and wholesome cover of “See You In Hell” by the NWOBHM legends Grim Reaper, ensuring any last sweat was spewing forth from each banger in the overheated room. This band always play on overdrive, in every sense and deliver a truly flawless show from the smallest pub to the larger festival stages.

A triumphant twin attack of turbulent Heavy Metal. The sound in The Black Heart was sublime (props go to Amelia for nailing it), the energy of the bands and maniacs alike was filled with rapturous excitement and everything just fell into place to ensure a night of utmost joy was had by all. A sweaty onslaught of the senses that embodied what Heavy Metal is all about, gritty nights, razor-sharp music and raging bangers fuelling their adoration for the old school sound.