Review: Attica Rage – ABC2, Glasgow

Attica Rage/Mason Hill/Titan Breed – ABC2, Glasgow, 28-10-2016

No confusion at all with who was going to what gig at the ABC on another busy night for the venue. Hipsters, dressed up to the nines, turned left for Birdy, who was playing upstairs… hairy, sweaty buggers turned right, for a night of Metal, forged north of the border, capped by Attica Rage. A clash of lifestyles came together later on though, as smokers from both gigs huddled together outside the venue, like lepers waiting to be shipped out to a remote island. Opening the evening up were Titan Breed, a local five-piece, that offered up an all-out assault on the senses, in the same vein as Machine Head or Pantera. Don’t worry if you missed the name, as well-oiled vocalist, Johnny Hollis, reminded us at every chance, “We are Titan Fucking Breed”, sometimes changing it to “Fucking Titan Breed”. Not short of confidence, Hollis stalked the stage like a maniac, with a microphone as his weapon of choice. He clearly enjoyed his evening, and encouraged punters at the front into starting a pit, saying that if they did, then he’d get in amongst them. What followed was a bizarre scene, as two guys circled each other, like stags during rutting season, before they came together in a sumo-like clash. Hollis was good to his word, and he was over the barrier, joining in. Musically, Titan Breed opt for the dual vocal approach, Hollis brought the low growls, while guitarist Pete McCoy excelled with his clean vocals. The vast majority of the crowd witnessed Titan Breed for the first time, and their excellent set ended to nods of approval from the grizzled, older metalheads in the audience. Mason Hill are an entirely different proposition… melody-driven hard rock, with big, soaring guitar riffs, and massive hooks. Young bands need to have an air of confidence, especially when they play a brand of rock that has “classic” stamped all over it. Mason Hill know that they have got something going. Not so much bubbling under, more like boiling over. Image and confidence will only get you so far, if you don’t have the songs to back it up. Thankfully, Mason Hill have some bangers in their arsenal. “Survive”, “Your Memory”, “Now You See Me”, and “Where I Belong” make up the debut EP, as well as forming the foundations of the live set. It’s nothing fancy, and it’s not reinventing the wheel, but when it’s played with such passion and precision, does the wheel actually need reinventing? The band were über-tight, and although it’s normally the frontman or guitarist that takes the plaudits, the workrate of drummer Craig McFetridge should not go unnoticed as he was simply mesmeric to watch. Mason Hill make their debut headlining Glasgow gig in March 2017, with none other than Massive Wagons supporting. Tickets are available now…what are you waiting for?