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For the risers of the fourth and final day of UK Tech Fest 2014<\/strong>, they\u2019re welcomed by the overly abrasive Doomed From Day One<\/strong>; perhaps one of the most death metal band names we\u2019ve heard in quite some time. Nonetheless the Guildford band draw a strong, mostly hungover crowd which take in DFDO<\/strong>’s dominating mix of scaling riffs, pummelling drums and deathly screams. Add to that some funky groove-centric guitar moments along with some brutal breakdowns, and DFDO <\/strong>provide a frantic opening to the day. (3\/5)<\/p>\n Next up is Shields<\/strong> from London who bring a rip-roaring set filled with subtle ambient elements and soaring guitars. The duel vocals of screamer Joe Edwards and clean vocalist Sam Kubrick isn\u2019t as effective at first but that soon changes whilst guitarist Jamie-Lee Underwood supply a mix of powerful riffs and soothing lines. Whereas drummer Alex Rayner dominates at time with beastly pounding and patterns. However, we left with the impression that Shields<\/strong> aren\u2019t entirely original and their set is quickly forgotten about (2.5\/5)<\/p>\n Norweigan metallers Kodeks<\/strong> give a strong showing. Led by moustachioed Aleksander Emilsen, the four-piece give a dense set with spiralling riffs yet Emilsen\u2019s vocals struggle at time and Jonas Mager\u00f8y\u2019s drum work is messy. With the majority of the Tech Fest<\/strong> elsewhere and those in attendance mostly uninterested, Kodeks<\/strong> go through the motions with little to no effect. (2\/5)<\/p>\n Things pick up for Aeolist<\/strong> on the main stage as the Norwich band draw in a large crowd as guitarists Billy Phillips and Tom Ferguson showcase twirling solos alongside pounding drums. Later on the band’s atmospheric elements come into play and prove to be more compelling as the slow burning build pays off with a tremendous effect. Overall, their set was technically satisfying and shined through pass the stereotypical heaviness parts of their set showed. (3.5\/5)<\/p>\n Londoners Exist Immortal<\/strong> follow up the release of their ‘Darkness Of An Age’<\/em> with a stellar showing. Vocalist Meyrick de la Fuente has the ability to stand out against the duel guitar virtuoso pairing of Tom Montgomery and Kurt Valencia. With biting aggressive vocals and crescendoing softer moments, the quintet provide a commanding performance that has energy and urgency. Whilst bassist David Billote doesn\u2019t get left out with a plucky display. On the whole Exist Immortal<\/strong> are one of the stand out bands today. They\u2019re Tech Fest<\/strong> \u201cveterans\u201d and today justify why they keep on coming back; a impactful display for a band who are on their way to great things. (4.5\/5)<\/p>\n Back on the second stage we have prog metal Milan five-piece Destrage<\/strong>. With a thriving opening that doesn\u2019t let up for the next 30 minutes, Paolo Colavolpe\u2019s has a raw presence that compliments the insane, frenzied riffs of Matteo Di Gioia and Ralph Salati and the band’s overall underlying groove. Destrage<\/strong> have a sharp, unstoppable energy which is pulled off well with their dynamic shift is style and tempo. (3.5\/5)<\/p>\n Next up is Alaya<\/strong> and with them they bring a soaring display consisting of superb melodies and intriguing guitars. Vocalist Evan Dunn leads with a decent performance, but it\u2019s his twisting riffs that truly shine. The trio\u2019s hard rock, melodic style mixed with their tight musicianship is warmly appreciated. Alaya<\/strong> have vibrancy and turn out to be very impressive. A superb UK debut from the Chicago trio. (4\/5)<\/p>\n After a quick break and brief chat to The Safety Fire, a visit to the second stage sees Friend For A Foe<\/strong> producing a powerful, melodic display. With twisting riffs and earth shattering drums, FFAF<\/strong> are dynamic; energetic with an absorbing style that wins the sparse crowd over. Whilst the 3 guest vocalists shake up the set, it does not distract from the band’s technical prowess, their downfall is a style that doesn\u2019t stand out from the ordinary. (2.5\/5)<\/p>\n Rounding off the second stage is Aliases<\/strong> who pull in a huge crowd. The Manchester group have an energetic show that is dominated by the powerful lungs of Joe Rosser, and insanely incredible guitar work of Leah and Pin. With duel finger tapping, erratic drumming and a groove-ridden bassline, Aliases<\/strong> are so overwhelming that it\u2019s difficult to draw yourself away from. It may have taken them a while to finally make their Tech Fest<\/strong> debut, but it was certainly worth the wait. We\u2019ll be keeping an ear out for their debut album. (4.5\/5)<\/p>\n One week removed from playing Sonisphere, The Safety Fire<\/strong> make their Tech Fest<\/strong> debut with startling results. Showcasing cuts from last years ‘Mouth of Swords’<\/em>, the quintet bring a harmonious, bass-heavy set that leaves the crowd captivated. Frontman Sean McWeeney showcases variety from the higher notes to the harsher moments, yet it\u2019s guitarists Joe Ardiles and Dez Nagle which, to an extent, steal the show. However as a collective, TSF<\/strong> are overwhelming and dynamic with \u2019 ‘Huge Hammers’<\/em> receiving an ecstatic reaction. Whilst later on, the band’s rapid fire guitars lead into the concluding ‘The Ghosts That Wait For Spring’,<\/em> with razor sharp riffs and raw vocals ending\u00a0TSF<\/strong>’s set on an almighty high. (4.5\/5)<\/p>\n Sub headliners The Ocean<\/strong> blend their mix of atmospheric elements with powerful surging tech metal, that wins many over. Paul Seidel\u2019s drum work is thunderous whilst guitarist and bassist have the technique to match. Whereas vocalist Lo\u00efc Rossetti is raw and thorough.<\/p>\n As the band settle into their stride, their slow burning numbers are compelling with an explosive conclusion. The build up leaves the crowd on tender hooks as they wait the pay off and has them hanging on to every word.<\/p>\n For someone who was unfamiliar with The Ocean<\/strong>, I was left completely floored by their impactful and solid performance. A beastly set that was pulled off with precision. (4.5\/5)<\/p>\n A clich\u00e9 as it may sound but it\u2019s not everyday a tech metal band as influential as Sikth<\/strong> play Newark. Having made their return at Download last month, and a full UK tour planned before the end of the year, tonight\u2019s showing is in someways unique; an intimate festival with a crowd that fully appreciates the Watford band.<\/p>\n Welcomed by a “we want Sikth” chant, and appearing later than expected, they are worth the wait. Sikth<\/strong> are as chaotic as ever and don\u2019t miss a mark after 6 years away. With the majority of their set coming from their 2003 debut LP, ‘The Trees Are Dead & Dried Out Wait for Something Wild’<\/em>, tracks such as ‘Scent of the Obscene’<\/em> and ‘Pussyfoot’<\/em> send the crowd into a mental frenzy. Whilst Mikee Goodman leads the crowd in a brief take of ‘When Will the Forest Speak\u2026’<\/em>.<\/p>\n Despite lack of an encore and the late start, the return of Sikth<\/strong> was very much welcomed by all, and tonight marked their comeback in an underground scene that is truly thankful for all they have accomplished. (4\/5)<\/p>\n As Sikth<\/strong> leave the hungry crowd wanting more, it\u2019s great to see the spirited crowd chant the name of not the band but of Tech Fest<\/strong> itself. Whilst it\u2019s an area of music that is mostly ignored by the masses, this weekend shows it is a tight-knit community that is bounded together by a love and admiration of stunning musicianship that leaves neutrals, like me, starved for more.<\/p>\n 4.5\/5<\/p>\n View more of Already Heard<\/strong>’s UK Tech Fest<\/strong> 2014 coverage here<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n UK Tech Fest<\/strong> links: Website<\/a>|Facebook<\/a>|Twitter<\/a><\/p>\n Words by Sean Reid (@SeanReid86<\/a>.) Photos by Carrie-Anne Pollard<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" For the risers of the fourth and final day of UK Tech Fest 2014, they\u2019re welcomed by the overly abrasive Doomed From Day One; perhaps one of the most death metal band names we\u2019ve heard in quite some time. Nonetheless the Guildford band draw a strong, mostly hungover crowd which take in DFDO’s dominating mix […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[8181],"tags":[7254,9478,5070,6596,9479,9476,2773,9480,9477,5861,5881,9482,9481,57,282,4538,7600,1441],"class_list":["post-20803","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-post","tag-7254","tag-aeolist","tag-alaya","tag-aliases","tag-destrage","tag-doomed-from-day-one","tag-exist-immortal","tag-friend-for-a-foe","tag-kodeks","tag-live-photos","tag-live-reviews","tag-newark","tag-newark-showground","tag-shields","tag-sikth","tag-the-ocean","tag-the-safety-fire","tag-uk-tech-fest"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/tumblr_n8xjb8FPLW1r8no6so4_1280.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
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