Hot and stinky, squashed and sweaty - it’s amazing what we’ll put up with when we’re having a great time! Joining the 5000 (!!!) people on Saturday night at Brixton Academy, Hammer were there in full force to watch some of rock and metal’s brightest young things in action.

Aiden were amazing - very loud and energetic and frightening (in their white trousers and waist-coasts - and the kids went mental.

Still Remains proved themselves to be one of the tighest metalcore combos around - with keyboardist Zack entertaining the thousands with his star jumps and exercise moves. We went to the VIP bar duing Hawthorne Heights (along with most of the venue) as they’re not really our cup of tea.. but all were legging it back down the stairs just in time to see the pyro explosions of Bullet’s intro.. and watch the lads strut their way onto the massive podiums and ramps that had been set up in their honour.
The set was amazing, hit after hit… and we spent half of it watching with the fans downstairs.

We then decided to head up to the balcony (as I was too short to see anthing where I had been) and joined in the mass singalongs upstairs. After the show, was the after-show (duh!) and we chatted a bit to the dudes from Still Remains and Aiden, before sharing a pub-bench with Matt Tuck’s family and catching up on all the local Bridgend gossip. It then all got a bit much, so I went home to have a nice cup of tea. Rock’n'roll!!!!

Matil
x

Last night was Clutch and Corrosion Of Conformity at the Astoria - totally heaving. 

Such a special show - CoC’s first UK show for like nine years - even saw guys people from Arch Enemy, Orange Goblin and Bill Steer from Carcass. Supporting was Stinkin’ Liviatsa (or something), and they got invited CoC’s drummer and Clutch’s drummer onto to stage for a three drummer attack - fucking wild!

Although most of the Hammer crew liked CoC - it was hard to be impressed after Clutch’s amazing show. Especially after Clutch disappeared into an amzing jazz prog freak-out jam right in the middle of the set. Perfect.

Cpt Zoso
x

Brixton was totally freezing, and walking around with Wil and Nick from Aiden it was amazing to see how famous they have become in such a short amount of time - 3 months: round every corner were guys yelling ‘Wil, we love you!’ and getting autographs.

The guys in the band are so nice, regailing us with stories of their ‘naughty’ exploits on tour at after-show parties.

Still Remains are totally nice guys as well. It was Jordan’s birthday so there were balloons everywhere, but he still came out to chat to us and give a great interview.

The guys were great on stage, and Still Remains were amazing as well. Had to dart off after these guys, but I’m sure the rest of the Hammer crew will be able to fill you in on the rest of the evening…

Dr B