Hell's Gazelles / Wicked Jackals / Sons Of Ancient Rock - The Big Red, London (UK) - 17 August 2018

The first impressions of Sons Of Ancient Rock are what a surprise for such a good band to be opening so early at such a small venue. Featuring brothers Lewis and Larry Gunessee, each of which could pass for a young Nuno Bettencourt, there's everything you could want on the guitar – fast-playing shreds and finger-tapping, plus a mixture of Garage Rock and Thrash (with spinning hair). With some Iron Maiden influences, there's a mature feel to the material and although there's a guitar duet that doesn't really go as planned, it was a performance that augurs well for the future.




The Wicked Jackals are more influenced by AC/DC but with a Glam twist. While there's a hint of worrying misogyny in 'Gone To The Dogs', it's not as if the influences they are drawing from are angels on that score. Their playing is forceful, there's plenty of blistering guitar and some great drumming. They have not forgotten the importance of a good image and do not lose the opportunity to build a rapport with the crowd, and though I scamper away to shield my camera when they start water cannoning the audience with alcohol, it was undoubtedly entertaining as were Marty Venus' trips around the venue; he is on barrels, on the bar and even out the door, although that one might have been less popular with his bandmates.

Drummer James Norkett even uses the cowbell as an excuse for a walk around of his own. They tolerate a drunken stage invasion from DJ Samir Winger, making it all part of how they roll. Most importantly, they do a version of 'Nutbush City Limits', which thanks to the raspy vocals of Ollie Tindall, I prefer to the original. They put on a great show and are clearly headliner material.




However, the headliners tonight are Hell's Gazelles whose vocalist Cole Bryant has a powerful voice capable of bluesy vocals like Danny Bowes of Thunder but combined with a scream worthy of Helloween. There are some Ozzy Osbourne influences too as they deliver driving Hard Rock with nice guitar passages from the Nath Digman. There are a few hiccups with the drum kit after, which the drummer takes revenge for by gentle teasing via powerful drum solos, thus getting rid of all his tension and knocking off the cobwebs in one go. Apparently, they didn't have their regular bassist this evening, but I look forward to seeing this band again when they have their usual line-up.




Overall, this was an evening of three great bands which I thoroughly enjoyed. If Badlands at the Big Red can continually produce three bands of this calibre with free entry, this will be a regular club night not to be missed.

Review and photos by Dawn Osborne