Shamal was back this year, with bands from different countries and more at stake this time around. Only 7 bands competed this year due to a bands pulling out again, Hydrophobia, due to problems with their drummer.
The bands playing were:-
DAVINCI –
POINT OF VIEW –
PIN DROP VIOLENCE –
JUNKYARD GROOVE -
GORTHALL –
WASTED LAND -
WHIMAGON –
Whimagon were the first band to play. Awesome band. Their songs were kinda like Pink Floyd and Deep purple (think the use of keys). anyone for a joint??
They must be playing in the hotels in
Da Vinci was next. Their songs had a kinda Industrial influence. Good stuff but not something I am into. Their bassist was fucking awesome. They got the audience going.
Point of view was next. Very tight band. Played a couple of songs they played at the X-Games (“Déjà vu” and “Mother Earth”).See my comments on their X-games performance for more.
Gorthall were up next. Got loud cheers as I guess there were a lot of their friends in the audience. Very talented band especially the vocalist but as it was their first live gig, were very uncoordinated. The drummer was off a few times and the keys were too loud and kinda cheesy (think power metal).Their song “Haven” would not be out of place in a Lacuna Coil album and the second song they played (whose name I did not get) would fit perfectly on a Nightwish album. Same thing as Point of View very inspired music.
The next 3 bands made it worth the trip from
The first of those bands was Wasted land. \m/ \m/.
Having heard their demo, I had some expectations from them
and they did not disappoint me. Their music is similar to that of Amon Amarth
and Dark tranquility. Very impressive performance for a band that has played
only 4 shows prior to this. They played “Bells of The Falling Castle” and “Anthem
of Warriors”. The audience was going nuts. They won over the audience with
their performance and there was chanting of “
I was pretty sure they were into the finals.
Pin Drop violence was next. Having missed their concerts in
An awesome act live, they reminded me of a mix of Rage against the Machine and Slipknot. Again I was pretty sure they were going to make the finals.
Junkyard Groove was the last band to play. What a way to end the first round.
They stole the show from other bands with their softer music. Another band which had a lot of hype, with good reason as they had won all the competitions they had taken part in so far. Their set was “Its ok” (which had quite a few people singing along during the chorus) and “Feels like a knife”. Awesome set by them.
After their performance I was pretty sure they also were in the finals.
After round one I was sure of the finalists but there was very little to tell them apart.
2 outta the the 3 bands were from
The judges seemed to agree with me.
The final round.
Pin Drop violence started it off and they played their favourite “Get em Off”.
Crazy energy like in the first round and the pits were brutal.
Their selection of song was questioned by many but the audience loved it.
Junkyard came and annihilated everyone with their song “Hold”. Everyone who was at Shamal cannot forget it. To say I was blown away is an understatement.
What a Fucking performanceFucking awesome performance !!!! They really got the pits going.
After the final round I wished there were 2 Winners, one to open rock day and one to open the metal day. I knew Junkyard groove were going to win but I wanted one of the metal bands to win also. Was really torn apart.
While the judges made their decision. “Special Guests” Nervecell took the stage. They were playing in the UAE after close to 18 months. They really got a raw deal as they got to play only 3 songs and had a lot of technical problems. They played a song from their new album and also “Human Chaos” and “Demolition”. They had a new drummer Gavin Ward, who was awesome. I guess its gonna take a little time to get used to as everyone was so used to Alan (Nephelium) as Nervecell’s drummer
Great response from the audience. It’s a bummer Nervecell played a short set.
The winners were………….Junkyard Groove. Not a surprising decision as their last song really clinched it for them.
Final thoughts: Gig was awesome but the competition was not fair at all. It was very clear after first round who the finalist would be. The bands were all different level in terms of performance. Organization was good and the gig ended on time despite the late start.
Turnout was bad even thought it was a free gig. I guess CSM need to do a better job at marketing.
heres me with a bunch of friends after the gig (sorry Godly).
To view pictures of all the bands visit the Phride