The first group which perform at the stage was Messiah. It is an English band
(specifically from the South of London), which is making way in the English
music, although unluckily, in Spain we don’t have the pleasure of knowing about
this band. The members of this band are: Robert Paul (vocals), Stuart Poole
(guitar and keyboards), Gary Poole (bass guitar), Jake Morris (guitar) and Alex
Harford (drums). They have some influences such as Europe, Queen or Iron Maiden.
They have recorded two albums by their own (Praying to stay alive y On Hallowed
Ground), and now they are working on their new album, but we can already listen
three new songs in their myspace (Long Time, Living in Fear and Somewhere Else
Tonight). This group has much more power when they’re performing at the stage
than in the songs recorded at the studio, something common in the better bands.,
besides they have great guitar solos in their songs and Robert voice is soft,
nice and very powerful as he demonstrated performing. They were at the stage
about an hour performing, and they were successful in it. 
They have won two battles of bands, and they have been finalists twice as well.
This let them the chance of being known by many people in England. Now they
will continue with other gigs that they have signed and getting more fans wherever
they play. Messiah is a group that I recommend everyone, but specially for those
who love rock music. This was the setlist of the band:
Norsemans Clan
Messiah
Somewhere Else Tonight
Valley of the Rising Sun
Long Time
Heartbreaker
Living in Fear
Templars of Valour
Heroes (Encore)
Now we can continue with the second group of the evening, which was Kyrb Grinder.
This group is only formed by three members: Eddie Vendeta (bass guitar), Dave
Dart (guitar) and Johanne James (vocals and drums). Kyrb Grinder has an style
of music powerful and «fast». Johanne carries all the rhythm of the band with
drums, it was clear that he was the leader of the band. It was incredible to
see him playing drums and singing, that’s something that today we are not used
to seeing, Johanne is a virtuous of drums, he carried the rhythm, had many solos
and encouraged all the people that there were.
The only problem of it, is that the guitar and bass players lost much protagonism
at the stage despite they were all the show moving with much impetus on the
stage and playing perfectly during the show.
Kyrb Grinder is the second group of Johanne James, he plays drums as well in
threshold (band very known which is signed to Nuclear Blast), but in Kyrb Grinder,
he has the opportunity of singing as well and demonstrate that a drummer is
not only a member of the group who has to be always in the second line at the
stage. They played many songs of their album «What about me» showing the quality
of their sound and showing all that they are able to do at the stage.
Finally we will finish with the last band of the evening, Timefall.. This is
another English group, whose formation took place in 2005. It is formed by 4
members: Jonathan Tatum (vocals and keyboards), Matt Shepherd (guitar), Dan
Russell (bass gitar) and Michael Lennon (drums). This band is completely different
to Messiah and Kyrb Grinder. They mix many styles of music, but I think they
are characterised by symphonic metal. They have many instrumental parts in their
music which make you enter in a fantastic atmosphere as introduction, and after
it they change from this melancholic atmosphere to a complete protagonism of
guitars and Jonathan’s voice, which can be very variable because he cab change
the register of his voice with no problem, regarding to many other big rock
vocals.
Specifically they have a song which lasts more than 18 minutes, in which they
showed us all that this band can offer. It was incredible to see something like
that, the song is titled «The Last Day On Earth», and is a complete masterpiece.
Here they have demonstrated the high level of composition that they have. They
showed us another song titled «Ember City» which lasts more than 6 minutes,
so you can see the level of this band, they make great songs with much quality
introducing keyboards in it.
It was an incredible evening despite the cancellation of Stream of Passion’s
show, but these groups could show that that have great future plans, and 2007
could be their year. All the bands deserve the opportunity to show their music
beyond England, because the may triumph abroad with it. At least I hope to see
them again perfoming someday, maybe in Spain? Who knows?
JAVIER TENDERO
