Hell Is For Heroes
Cardiff's Barfly, 18th June 2007
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Reviewed by Nadine Ballantyne
There's many mixed feelings about the main act tonight, and the gig isn't much of a sell out despite Hell Is For Heroes being one of Kerrang!'s most wanted. Considering they're not that unknown, their name does carry some credit in the Post Hardcore movement - not from anyone I’ve spoken to prior to the gig though may I add.
Gavin Portland
First up is Gavin Portland, an Icelandic Hardcore Metal quartet whose recent EP has garnered good attention even from the mighty scenesters Kerrang! who rated it at 4K's. They look like they have heart and actually believe in what they're doing, each wearing their own unique Metal outfit (Mastodon and Slayer t-shirts that is). They seem slightly out of place and even say so themselves, though mock that it's because they don’t have a keyboard. They keep tight and play well together, not letting the lack of people put them off.
Disco Ensemble
Disco Ensemble again belong to a different genre, and from the outside seem to have been around long enough so that they've already notched up a fan base in this little dive dubbed the Cardiff Barfly. They even remember playing here, with the three drunken guys situated at the front reminding them of their "great" show. What’s good about this band is the energy singer Miikka Koivisto carries, driving the band to play better also as a consequence and in a more relaxed fashion. Qualifying as chirpy Hard Rock, they seem happy really that they actually got a few gigs to perform at in order to share their music.
Hell Is For Heroes
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People firmly place themselves close enough to the stage so they're nearly treading upon it, and now the Barfly seems quite full and brim with life. After their long and not so enticing introduction, Hell Is For Heroes singer Justin Schlosberg finally walks on stage. He looks dismal and very non-Rock N Roll, as though he really doesn’t want to be here. It takes a fair way into the set before the audience get moving to full capacity. They don’t do anything to try and get the crowd moving, so really it's the fans creating the enjoyment for themselves. Only near the end does it feel like a proper concert, with Justin showing some enthusiasm and actually connecting with the crowd. Leaping forth unexpectedly, they barely catch him. Minor pits break out during emotional parts, with many singing along and grasping onto every word. A few even attempt to crowd surf, and one punter getting kicked out because of it. After a long and dreary set, the many sweaty bodies both finally say goodnight. It seems as if it wasn't for the diehard fans being present, this gig just would have been a case of another Hard Rock act who were outdone by the support.
