Matt De La Rug (Tuesday July 11, 2006 11:15)
Here's a review of the night from the L.E.P...<BR>
<em>Humid outside and heavy weather within Preston's Venue as the second round of this year's Battle of the Bands continued. The heaviest collection of rock bands so far in this contest burst more power than a stormcloud, setting the stage for a closely fought heat.
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The anger of a high-pressure system in the form of favoured Call To Arms opened the night, with a measured set of direct and destructive metal under constant rumbling vocals. Whilst their first heat performance and this set showed an ability far above other similar bands who put shock factor over content, the lack of on-stage presence and overly familiar sound to some of their songs took away some positives. A lack of identity even for such a distinctive band is an unfortunate handicap to hold.
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Armrug have a firm local following which was cemented by a flowing performance of gutsy rock and roll in a British style. Their humour is high as clouds, evident in sparky lyrics of attitude and the Ford Car Company's greatest hits. Their energy is infectious, just as immediate to enjoy as the stomping guitar melodies and rough-and-ready vocals. Their broader brush paints intelligence and smart melodies. With an already on fire stage presence and reputation Armrug are surely on course to provide a challenge for the later rounds as rock 'n' roll's finest representatives.
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Alta Rosa had a melodic direction but this seemed to waver and wander across a set which had many ideas but little firm foundations. With a good ear for composition, Alta Rosa appeared strong in their heat but this set struggled with a weight they could not hold, and a pace they appeared difficult to sustain. Good songs, certainly their opening tracks, suffered from an uncertain composition, although they did maintain a constant stage presence. Difficult to criticise for their obvious ability, but too easy to pick at the songs which could have been tidied up for better effect.
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An unexpected treat from Aurota, whose performance came from nowhere and moved to all points of the compass at once. Expansive post-rock compositions with a harmonic vocal drew interest immediately, with last year's finalists Capulet almost inevitably coming to mind. Interesting changes in temperament and mood suggest a band worth seeing in later rounds, and more necessarily outside the competition in a standard gig, with songs of strength and joyously half-chanted choruses. Stand out for being both different and good with it, keep the air in your lungs ready to shout out more praise.
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