Vectors + Virtues + Unlimited - Derby

So first up tonight was derby 5 peice Vectors. This was the bands first ever show but that did little to deter this band from putting on a strong performance. They seemed a little nervous before the start,but they set off with there intro sample of a speech from american president Obama. Ashley Evans sets the scene of the set nicely with an in your face off the bat intro to the song.They kick off with in my opinion the best track of the whole set Paramnesia. It has its own brand of deathcore with low gutteral vocals mixed with alot of some seriously cutting highs, mixed with some serious groove which is right up my street.They continue on with the rest of the set in the same fashion and its easy to tell after the first song has been played these guys nerves have gone, its now about them having fun. Its easy to tell that they have something good going on and as a new band, are still finding there definitive sound. But with the musicians they have within the band im more than certain they will be a band to reckon with on the uk scene soon enough.

Full set list:
Paramnesia,
Derapture,
Eternal Eclipse
Autumn Breeze

Next up where a band from Canada Unlimited, who unfortunately had to leave both guitarists at home because of visa problems,but did nothing to stop these guys from coming over and putting on one hell of a show. They play a different style to alot of the bands on the bill, but none the less very impressive. With groovey breakdowns that are crushingly heavy all the same left me getting my head nodding. Then i got hit with clean singing that was delivered expertly as a lot of people seem to fail to do these days live. These guys dont mess around putting on a show which i honestly loved to see, the drummer Melvin Murray being a highlight for me as another drummer. Throwing his sticks, spins and an all out energetic performance, also one of the tightest drummers i've had the pleasure to see on an unsigned circuit. Having to play to a backing track of guitars i think he deserves even more credit as thats not easy in the slightest.They are a band thats not typically something i have in my play list often but they really did impress me and are really worth checking out if your fancing something different in your day.

Last but not least its Virtues. Ive had the pleasure of seeing these guys a few times so i knew what to expect, but also something to look forward to with that. Their set is just riddled with groove, and sludge how can that not be good. They start the set with No More Sacrifice which has a bit of a melodic start then goes into what can be described as face melting groove. Singer Foster delivers well with a powerful vocal performance. Second song Dead Space continues the same, opening with total groove which for me is what this band carry off to the fullist. They pull out a new song, Coalition which they have just recorded a video for an will be releasing soon. This track is for me a step up for the Virtues boys, and to say this was the first time they had played it you would not have been able to tell in the slightest. Virtues are a band that you have to see live to experience what they are really about, for me one of the heaviest grooviest bands to come out of the Midlands. High hopes for these guys for next year if you know of them playing your area then get down you will not be dissapointed at all.

Full set list:
No More Sacrifice
Dead Space
Coalition
Vindicated
Never Look Back
Choose Your Own Path.

Mike Rees - English Djentlemens Quarters