Worcester Music Forum

Time to switch into metal mode for a saunter over the border to check out the Worcestershire invasion of The Herdsman in Hereford. I'd gone mainly to hear Malvern's AZWAI (As Zeroes We Are Infinite) who'd wowed the crowd at the Punk For Pudsey all-dayer last November, especially with frontman Adam's wanderings to all corners of the Marrs Bar.

Unfortunately a combination of my sloppy timekeeping and them going on stage far too early meant that I'll have to try and catch them at Malvern's Youth Center next Friday - time to dig out my fake ID then

Plenty of searing and unique guitar work from Bromsgrove's Salvatore Leone - who are definitely a cut above your usual death merchants. A very church-ish feel mixed with some genuinely melodic twiddles. A tight set with a great balance between the two guitarists.

More anthemic but with added discord and chaos thrown into the mix from Malverners Deacon Birch. Animated stuff with some bright original riffs

- can't believe that every number was called 'Son Of A Bitch' though!

The evening was promoted by Steve of HungHigh promotions - a decent enough crowd on an event competing with Lethal Bizzle at The Jailhouse across the road. Fair play also to soundman Dave who'd bodged a pretty decent output from the PA - which had all but packed up during AZWAI's set.

Out-of-two-counties visitors for the night were Blood Of Ash from Bristol - lots of rolling Knapkin-ish flourishes to keep the Hereford headbangers happy - and a welcome and overdue dose of metal medicine from the night for yours truly!

A turnout of the local good and great at the Marrs Bar for an Undercurrent Promotion - yet another alias of Cape Of Good Hope's Willis who's taken over what used to be the Little Hellfire nights - and attracting some quality outfits to boot!

First up were the visitors from Cov that are Disco Bizkid - quite a variety of textures ranging from Stone Roses to the Isley Brothers - and all hung together on a string of freeform jazz-rock treatments that'd get the Howard Moon stamp of approval.

Name checks on the night - Henry of Evesham's Just Sweet Theft, Shane and Connor of Jimmy Nylon, Max of Medamaki - gigging also with Archives Of Pain, Declan and Vinny of Da Vinci - who've just recorded a video at Edinburgh Castle, Pete and Matt of AWWBLOT and also Adam Of Zebedy Rays

- who'll be launching their new album tomorrow with Gravity Crisis, Girls On Film and The Firing Irons.

Shame about the demise of Aura but there's a more-than-capable replacement from Bromyard in the form of SmokeStack. I don't know how I haven't picked up on this amazing blues and boogie outfit until now but I ain't the only one. Lofty's verdict - 'the best outfit I've ever seen in Worcester' - spot on mate! They're an in-your-face Led Zep/Free influenced foursome fronted up by sisters Scarlett on vocals and the incredible Ebony on zero-FX guitar. Simply the most awesome and jawdropping set I've seen for a long time and if you don't believe me - check 'em out at The Wyeside Festival on the Saturday!

Tough act to follow then for the heaviest outfit on the Worcester scene that are battle-of-the-band finalists Expedestrian. A consummate and crisp performance from the metal proggers featuring some great bass effects. Their first album 'Audio/Visual Aid' is out soon!