Out of Enemies / Born of the Jackal / Backhand Saloon / Raise Your Anchor

There aren't many nights that can start off looking like they were going to go spectacularly wrong, that end up going so right. Tonight at Exeter's legendary Cavern Club, we were in for a little of every emotion possible; from the first-run, a moderate state of confusion, excitement and sheer damned fine entertainment – this gig had a little bit of it all.

The cause of the chaos that would run the theme of the evening (and inevitably turn advantageous) was an accident on the M5 many many miles away. Coming down from a recording session in Wales, was half of the evening's main support, Born of the Jackal. Due to an accident, the motorway was pretty much at a stand-still for most of the evening...



Oblivious to all of this, newcomers Raise Your Anchor got things under-way. It's my understanding that these boys are pretty new, and while the ideas, the 'thought processes', creative basics and raw talent is there – there's still some polishing to do. Opening what is essentially your first gig, in your home town can be a daunting prospect for anyone.

While the RYA boys struggled through the nerves and technical intricacies of a venue like the Cavern, they set a blistering pace – and with the right direction, focus and dedication there is definitely an opening for these youngsters.

Regardless of anything that may be deemed as negative, Raise Your Anchor, did what any good opening act does, they set the tone for one of the most enjoyable evenings in recent Cavern history.

Meanwhile on the M5... Still very little movement.

By this time, a few people from a couple of the bands have formulated a plan. Backhand Saloon will play a little bit of a longer set, Out of Enemies will if necessary play a longer set – should Born of the Jackal make it, they'll essentially headline.



Backhand Saloon have been around the South-West scene for a good few years now, and for the life of me, I can't understand why they haven't progressed further. With local boys I Divide and Idiom playing the likes of Download later this year, I can't see how the lads aren't further ahead of the game then they are.

From watching them, you definitely not think that their hearts or fans weren't in it. Brutal, rhythmic, unchained, talented, entertaining. That's pretty much Backhand Saloon in a nutshell. If you get a chance, check them out. They seemed to be able to manage the crowd and semi-impromptu set extension with the professionalism and enthusiasm seldom seen in local music circles.

Meanwhile on the M5... Movement – just before Out of Enemies take the stage, we find out that Born of the Jackal will make it, if even for a shortened set. That's dedication right there. I've seen bigger bands not bother.



Now I'm pretty sure I saw Out of Enemies when frontman Sam Cooper had recently joined the band. I say I'm pretty sure, because if I'm honest, it wasn't memorable. But hey, that happens when you're young and making musical adjustments. Now that Sam's had some time to settle in and put his stamp on their music – I will not forget Out of Enemies anytime soon. This is a band on the verge of something magical. Something almost ground-breaking. Solid, tight, aggressive, strong, intense – I could simply run out of adjectives. It's refreshing to see and moreover to hear a band so well put together, and likeable too, I am very impressed. By the time Out of Enemies had left the stage, the crowd gave all, the band gave back. Straight-up-heavy-fucking-metal. Expect to see more of this band.

And much to the relief of the other half of Born of the Jackal, we had all four bands...

Now, I remember a time in this musical World, that someone remarked something to the effect that Thrash (and by that I mean proper Thrash, this does not include Trivium), was in fact, dead. In the last 12 months I've seen some old school bands from the late 80's/early 90's that have drawn such epic crowds, that I've thought to myself "OK, not dead, but where's the future?". Then I went to Beermageddon last year, and then I saw Beholder in London, and thought "Ah, now we're getting somewhere." Then we come to Born of the Jackal. Yeah, That argument – the one about Thrash Metal being dead. Wrong.



I can't put my finger on what it is exactly that makes this band stand out from the rest. It may be the music, it may be the seemless blend of Vocals and Screams by front-dude Paul 'Gibbzy Screamer' Gibbs. It may be that it was late, and we were all tired. It may be the exhilaration that they all made it in one piece and, will be headed back to the studio the next morning. It may be a combination of all of that. If this is the future of Heavy Metal in the South-West of England, then listen up people – be excited.

I can't single out either Out of Enemies for their sheer brilliance or Born of the Jackal for what they bring to the scene; as who should have headlined. Both of them deserve to be in the spotlight for what they do. These are two bands, like their cohorts Idiom, Sanguine, and I Divide that should be lighting up the UK Festival circuits in a very short period of time.

Highly entertained night enjoyed by all. Well done to everyone, especially to the driving skills of 'Jackal guitarist James Findlay who we will never ask exactly how fast he drove down the M5 from Bristol to Exeter to make it...

FUTURE GIGS

sorry, we currently have no gigs listed for this act.