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North West Doom Fest III 

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North West Doom Fest III 

10th – 11th April 2026 

G21 at The Saddle, Chester 

And lo, there shall come a time when the barbarians shall storm the gates of the fortress city, and congregate within its ancient walls in search of enlightenment.  Great would be the merry making, for the barbarians will come not with weapons of war, but with musical instruments and tales of hard-won valour.   

That time came, and it was known as:  North West Doom Fest III. 

Yes, after the runaway success of previous events, Chester’s premier/only Rock pub The Saddle was host to another weekend of the heaviest, the Doomiest, the Sludgiest of bands from around the UK.  Such was the demand, the event was sold out well in advance.  Personally, I was really looking forward to NWD Fest and very thankful to be there! 

Friday 10th April 2026 

The first band of the entire weekend was Ghozer, who are a four piece band from the Midlands.  Sadly, they don’t appear to be Ghostbusters fans, as that Gozer is spelt differently.  They are, however, a mighty and hugely impressive Alternative Metal band, with solid, catchy riffs and crazy, psychedelic lead guitar working nimbly through captivating, proggy epics.  They reminded me of a sludgy High On Fire with wild Hendrix lead.  A perfect start to the weekend, I was massively impressed.    

https://www.facebook.com/GhozerUK

Up next were Bristol’s Froglord, one of my personal favourites and a band I was excited to see again.  I’d seen these guys previously at the same venue, for the Warlockhunt album launch gig.  I immediately fell in love with their swampy, psyche Doom with its perfect riffs and incessant grooves.  Froglord really put on a show too, there’s nothing in their approach that hasn’t been meticulously prepared – swamp noises between songs?  Masks?  These amphibious Dark Masters are a true revelation, and I seriously urge readers to check them out soon! 

https://www.facebook.com/Froglordband

Friday night’s headliners were Cardiff based Atmospheric Doom band, Pantheist.  This band enraptured the audience with an almost symphonic take on Doom, complete with ethereal, operatic female vocals.  They’re obviously exquisite musicians and put on a great performance.  However, it was too symphonic and operatic for my tastes – like Katherine Jenkins singing along to Ghost in her bedroom.  What do I know, though?!  Everyone else – and I mean absolutely everyone else – loved Pantheist, so you should ignore me and check them out. 

https://www.facebook.com/Pantheistuk

Saturday 11th April 2026 

Some of us kind of over did it on Friday night, socialising with other North West Doom Fest attendees and enjoying the karaoke in the main bar of the Saddle.  Well, it was Frank’s (from North East Wales Metal Productions) birthday, so no excuses needed.  Happily, I managed to make it back for the start of Day Two of the fest on time and with no trouble, which is highly unusual. 

Warming things up for Day Two were Warlockhunt, festival organisers Mark and Lorraine’s Doom Pop band.  Their dual lead bass sound was now augmented with a new drummer, who had the unenviable task of filling out the sound with apocalyptic, post punk tribal rhythms.  Drums are front and centre in this band, right up there with the bass and dreamy vocals – so there’s nowhere to hide.  The sound was meticulous, no need to worry – an accomplished start to the day’s proceedings. 

https://www.facebook.com/warlockhunt/?locale=en_GB

One of the amazing things about this festival is the sheer variety of music evident within the genre of Doom.  Cruel Mother was a great example: they looked at first like people LARPing Robin of Sherwood, but they delivered a magnificent set of Doom based on Olde English (and Scottish) folk songs.  Brilliantly performed and utterly captivating.  I would’ve loved a lyric sheet to read along and explore the stories and themes!  They’re London based, if Cruel Mother are playing near you – go see them and enjoy the magick.  The outfits were cool, by the way. 

https://cruelmother.bandcamp.com/music

Helve were up next – a five piece from Leeds who unleashed a set of very heavy, sludgy Doom metal.  The performance was intense and unforgiving, with harsh, growled vocals over crushing riffs and huge soundscapes.  They reminded me a little of last year’s headliners (and one of my fanboy faves), Son of Boar.  Absolutely no complaints from me, a winning set from a great band. 

https://www.facebook.com/Helveband

I had no expectations at all regarding Sleeping Mountain, and so I was very pleasantly surprised to witness a superb band that I can add to the favourites list!  They’re a three piece, London based, and extremely effective at creating enormous Stoner Rock grooves with psychedelic and progressive overtones.  There’s some classic 70s inspiration here, with a foot planted firmly in the now, as well.  Like a grinding, cinematic early Monster Magnet.  I loved them, and made sure I picked up a copy of their excellent self-titled album on vinyl. 

https://www.facebook.com/sleepingmountainband

When Goat Major were announced on this bill, I practically shit my shoes off in excitement.  I’m already a massive fan, having reviewed their debut album, “Ritual”, for Ever Metal a while back – awarding it a solid 9/10 score.  Getting the chance to see them live was a big draw for me in attending NW Doom Fest.  And Goat Major did not disappoint, their awesome Occult Doom dripped thunderous and powerful riffage with eerie, spectral undercurrents.  Absolutely unmissable and a true highlight of the weekend! 

https://www.facebook.com/goatmajorband/?locale=en_GB

And then we had Goblin Smoker, another band I was really enthused to experience firsthand!  With releases on Sludgelord and APF Records, these guys have a quality pedigree.  Their music is classic Sabbath based Doom, with raspy, Death Metal vocals that set them apart from other bands this weekend.  This was an epic, brutalising set, taking the intensity of Death Metal into slower and fuzzier realms.  I’m just glad I was there. 

https://www.facebook.com/Goblinsmoker

Mage are a band I’ve seen live previously, they played Pentre Fest a while back.  They were amazing last time I saw them and they were even better this time around.  Seriously, Mage are the perfect Stoner/Doom Metal band, as far as I’m concerned: they cover it all, from in-you-face rockers to tripped out psyche-athons.  They remind me of a British Corrosion of Conformity, and I can think of no higher praise than that.  Their performance was riveting, even in the restricted space of the G21.  If you’re not following this band like a hungry dog, you need to be. 

https://www.facebook.com/Mageband/?locale=en_GB

And finally, then – our Saturday headliners, Old Horn Tooth: a three piece proudly representing the London Doom Collective.  Musically, this power trio deliver slow and heavy yet mesmerising Doom metal, unhurried in their approach they create something not far removed from a soundtrack to a supernatural, occult thriller.  When the riffs crash in, they are utterly devastating – and the whole experience is pulverising, yet hypnotic.  Thrilling stuff and a fitting end to a weekend of pure, definitive Doom Metal.    

https://www.facebook.com/oldhorntooth/?locale=en_GB

Well done to Lorraine and Mark, and thanks to the staff of G21/The Saddle for a spectacular festival.  There’s a one dayer planned for this summer, so keep your eyes peeled – otherwise, I’ll see you at Noth West Doom Fest IV!   

https://www.facebook.com/Thesaddleinnchester/?locale=en_GB           

Scarecrow – Album Review

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Scarecrow – Scarecrow II

Wise Blood Records

Release date: 22/10/2021

Running Time: 44 mins

Review by: Alun Jones

8.5/10

You could say I was a little confused when I first heard “The Endless Ocean Overture”, the opening track on this second album from Scarecrow.  I know the clue’s in the song title, but this really is a big, full on orchestral piece – complete with moody storm sounds and crashing waves.  I thought the Ever Metal Delivery Monkey had sent me one of those symphonic metal monstrosities by mistake – there are NO GUITARS here.  At least not on the first song.

Not that it’s a bad track – it’s actually very atmospheric and very bloody clever.  Just a bit of a surprise, that’s all.

Scarecrow are a Russian doom rock band, taking their inspirations from the classic seventies masters like Sabbath and Zeppelin.  When track 2 – “Blizzard” – kicked in, I realised my mistake.  Yes, here we have it: blues based heavy rock that could have easily been produced in 1973.  Groovy riffs, batteringly good drum breaks, high pitched wailing vocals – all the tropes are present and correct.  “Blizzard” has all these, plus relentless changes of pace which means the listener can bang their head or swing their bell bottom jeans all in one song.

“Magic Flower” has a slower, doom blues sound with some mouth organ for additional retro stylings.  There’s even a folky mid-section with some Plant-esque banshee screams.  Up next is “Spirit Seducer”, a rocker that’s more of the Iommi sound already hinted at, and some pounding rhythm. 

Scarecrow are nothing if not ambitious.  “The Moors” is a hell of an epic: warm acoustic guitar intro; doom laden heavy riff, ethereal keys: all the ingredients are here, and happily we reach another Sabbath like peak in the middle of the song.  Some of the orchestral feel of the opener makes a well-judged return here, adding to the bombast. 

When I heard the intro to “The Golden Times”, it was easy to make the comparison to Sabbath tracks like “Orchid” and “Fluff”.  This song flows along serenely, with the vocals making me think I’d started listening to a new Wolfmother recording.  Another multi part piece, best to just mellow out and enjoy the ride – till the increasing pace runs off with your ears.

The range and scope of this album really is very impressive.  “Scarecrow II” is an accurate love letter to the giants of yester year, whilst firmly placing the bands feet alongside contemporaries like Uncle Acid and Graveyard.  Scarecrow has delivered an album that features new spins on the old ideas co-existing with brave, surprising augmentations.     

Check out Scarecrow on Bandcamp and Facebook.

You can find Wise Blood Records on Bandcamp, Facebook and the interweb.

This review has been brought to you by Platinum Al in association with Ever Metal.

The Night I Played Bass for Diamond Head

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DHLive

Diamond Head + The Heretic Order + Kuru + Cathar

Thursday 25th June 2015

The Live Rooms, Chester

Yes, you read that right.  For one night I played bass guitar for British Heavy Metal legends Diamond Head, and this is how it happened.

Diamond Head had three support bands, which is pretty good value for money in my book.  First up were Cathar, who were a Symphonic Metal band with two singers.  Solid musicians but not really my cup of mead; good vocals though.

Next were Kuru, who were more in the Death Metal vein.  Brutal riffs and the rhythm section were impressive.  Ferocious vocals, though I’m not a massive fan of the Death Metal Grunt.

The Heretic Order merged a more trad metal (Maiden, Priest) approach with some more thrashy elements.  Think Venom with some Sepultura and melody thrown in; they do a nice line in comedy Satanic Metal too.  At least I think it’s comedy; if not I mean no offence, honest…

Diamond Head can rock with the best of them.  Their NWOBHM anthems have become hugely popular due to their influence on those who followed.  The famous songs – “Am I Evil”, “The Prince”, “Helpless” – can be regarded as amongst the foundation stones of classic metal.  This is the music that helped shape today’s rock just as much as “Breaking the Law”, “Run to the Hills” or “Ace of Spades”.

In addition you’ve got those big, epic Zeppelin inspired songs like “To Heaven From Hell” and “To the Devil His Due”.  Monolithic tracks that really add another dimension to Diamond Head’s catalogue.

They play all the greats at the Live Rooms, and have a fantastic time doing it.  Brian Tatler is safely in the driving seat, in control and playing brilliantly.  Vocalist Rasmus Anderson has a hell of a voice on him, confidently delivering gem after gem.  The rhythm section of Karl Wilcox (drums) and Eddie Moohan (bass) are locked in and having a whale of a time.  Then you’ve got guitarist Abbz, who looks like the happiest bloke on the planet.

It’s a packed and professional set with plenty of conviction.  At the very end, I was down the front for the encore when Eddie offered his bass to the audience to strum.  So I hit a few strings – and so did half a dozen other people.  But now I’ll claim to have played bass for Diamond Head, and you can’t call me a liar.

Great gig.  My interest and respect for this band was renewed.  It was great to see a band who have accomplished so much – and still have so much to give – on my door step.  Legends.

The Diamond Head web site is here.

The Live Rooms web site is here.