LIVE REVIEW: Continents @ Bunker 13, Stoke-on-Trent

WORDS: Eddie Sims PHOTOS: Jakk Smith

Stoke-on-Trent’s alternative scene can never quite compete to the big bustling grounds of the UK’s largest cities. However this town in the Midlands often bolsters shows featuring bands that are rumbling from the underground. We were there to witness CONTINENTS, and does this new and emerging band showcase the ability to compete with the leading names in the scene?

As Bunker 13 fills with both family of members and fans of the scene congregate to witness tonight’s rather heavy offering, FIVE POINT 0 kick off proceedings with their riff lead heavy metal sound. They sound tight and heavy considering it’s only their second performance as a band, but it’s their lack of self-confidence that really drags this performance down, with them constantly digging themselves for no reason. Bit more confidence in themselves and these lads could own the stage.

Rating: 5/10

DYING COAST are up next, and they’re melodic death metal sounds massive when the mix allows it, but most of the show is an audio mess. They make the best of the situation as they power throw their high-octane riffs but due to the mix the breakdowns don’t have any of the desired effect and fall tremendously short and create none of the chaos they were designed to instigate.

Rating: 6/10

One thing that is easily noticeable is how young the previous two bands are, but HEADPRESS are an established act and they sound like it. Sounding utterly crushing they shake the entire venue with the massive low-end backbone that keeps this colossal sounding machine running, the riffs jump between old school hardcore and straight out death metal, all stampeding forward at a breakneck speed. As they finish and everyone tries to figure out what just happened, there are three words that consistently crop up; heavy as fuck.

Rating: 9/10

Everything seems to be against CONTINENTS tonight. Being a guitarist down and also suffering from an issue that has written off their sample sounds from the set, they still seem intent to bring everything with them regardless. Boasting a brilliant new album in the form of Reprisal the welsh lads seem newly invigorated as they play a short set featuring both old classics and brand new offerings. Despite being silent after an amp shuts down on them, the set still feels powerful and helps solidify these guys as one band to definitely watch in the new year. If they sound this good with everything that happened tonight, give them a full band and working gear and they’ll make entire buildings crumble.

Rating: 7/10

Check out our exclusive photo gallery of the night’s action in Stoke below: