Obsessive Scarecrows [Gig Review]

Evil Scarecrow + Obsessive Compulsive + Twilight’s Embrace

The Rescue Rooms Nottingham

11.01.14

So 2014 heaves into view, another year, new beginnings and new horizons to reach for, well one thing is for sure in the world of GDmanofmetal the song remains the same. It's the 11th of January and I'm off to my first live show of the year, Nottingham's very own Evil Scarecrow are headlining at the Rescue Rooms here in their west midlands homeland. special guests tonight come in the form of Manchester's finest, Obsessive Compulsive so it's all shaping up to be one helluva night. 

Proceedings get under way with Twilight's Embrace, a relatively new local band who described in their own words ‘draw from a range of influences, blending slow and majestic doom-laden riffs with twin guitar harmonies that switch between the delicate and the destructive, overlaid with deathly roars and Gothic baritone choruses’. Well they sure went down well with the crowd despite the early start of the show. 

By the time Obsessive Compulsive hit the stage the Rescue Rooms is nearly full to whiteness a high octane, edgy performance from the Manc quartet of Kelii (lead vocals/ rhythm guitar) Giz (lead guitar) Pete (Bass) & Dani (Drums) playing a set of songs from their last two albums 2010’s Dreams of Death and the Death of Dreams and 2013’s Seculo Seculorum. This is one of the best PA systems I’ve heard Obsessive Compulsive play through, very loud but audible, doing justice to their musical talents and ensuring anyone in the audience not familiar with this under rated band got a great showcase of their songs. I think they sold a fair bit of merchandise after the show (I bought a T shirt) and I’m sure they made some new fans at this gig as well as keeping the old faithful following happy to boot.

Now onto the main event, Evil Scarecrow have been around in one form or other for about ten years now, I first saw them at the now defunct rock house in Derby at the beginning of 2008. They’ve come a long way since then, playing the main stage at Bloodstock to name just one of their many achievements. Tonight though promises a brand new show with new songs and new paraphernalia starting with a massive backdrop which covers the entire back of the stage, there’s a brand new ‘war horse’, the return of guest guitarist Klaus Von Unterschlafen, the Doris’ helping out on Thor Vs Ra, Slagbot on stage and the cybotronic crustacean that is Crabulon not to mention the regular cast of Doctor Hell (lead vocals/guitar) Brother Pain (guitar) Kraven Morrdeth (bass) Ringmaster Monty Blitz Fist (drums) and last but not least the lovely Princess Luxury on keys. Right at the start of the show the dry ice machine got stuck in the on position so the impressive new entrance of the band was somewhat marred as visibility was down to nil obscuring the spectacle of Doctor Hell and Princess Luxury astride the war horse riding onto the stage. The Scarecrows were on form though and gave a memorable performance; the famous four note guitar solo during the song Vampire Trousers was executed by both Klaus Von Unterschlafen and Doctor Hell working in unison. In fact many new aspects on an old theme were undertaken (pun intended), Brother Pain’s trademark high fives and crowd surfing antics always get a cheer as does Monty Blitz Fist’s Tigger like bouncing whilst playing the drums. Crowd participation of various silly antics during the songs Thor V’s Ra, Dance of the Cyclops, Crabulon and Robototron not to mention the incredible synchronised party popper extravaganza were at maximum tonight. However the crowd pleaser cover of Europe’s The Final Countdown was emitted from the set, I got a feeling that many in the crowd were disappointed at this turn of events but I think it’s a wise move on the part of Evil Scarecrow as they have in many ways become known as the band that play the Europe cover, it will do them no harm at all to leave it out. War and Seek was in fact the song on which they played out a fitting finale to a magnificent opening gig of the year for yours truly and the fun didn’t stop there. 

The Evil Scarecrow after show party was in full swing back at the tap n’ tumbler pub just round the corner from the Rescue Rooms when I got there, I had a slight detour whilst helping Obsessive Compulsive load up their gear but coming in from the cold to round off the night with tunes by guest MC Morrdeth was just what the doctor ordered, partying with friends old and new and getting the band members view of the gig is always fun, ‘terrifying’ was how Matt (Doctor Hell) described the war horse ride through the blinding smoke, he was also blown away by the crowd response to the show a humble view in my opinion, Evil Scarecrow deserve all the accolades thrown at them they put on an amazing experience that the word gig doesn’t do justice to so I’m calling it an extravaganza!

Check out the bands on their official websites
http://www.evilscarecrow.co.uk/
http://www.obsessivecompulsiveband.com/

GD Manofmetal.