Brutiful_ViXn
Reign In Metal
Zodiac :  Metal Reputation : 88
Join date : 2012-01-05
Location : Vacationing in Hell
 | |  Headbangers Balls - The Live Album (2014) Review | |
 Headbangers Balls - The Live Album (2014) Self Released -- Running Time 313:14 (5 Hours 21 Minutes) Score: 8/10
If you are not already aware, 'Headbangers Balls' is a campaign put together by brilliant UK Thrash Band Reign Of Fury and their manager Andy Pilkington. It was started in 2013 to celebrate Reign Of Fury's vocalist Bison Steed five year all clear from testicular cancer which was diagnosed in 2008. They felt that not only was more awareness of this type of cancer needed but that it was also a fantastic opportunity to raise money for the fabulous 'Teenage Cancer Trust' charity. It took a huge amount of work but they put together a UK Tour of 12 major cities with around 50 bands appearing for free at various venues, which culminated in a Birmingham all day finale where many of those bands appeared on one stage. Special merchandise was created for the tour and apart from the live dates a pledge campaign was started and bands very kindly donated prize items amongst other things (see any of the links at the bottom of the page for information). They also received Twitter support from Ozzy Osbourne, Zakk Wylde, Janick Gers and David Coverdale, Such was the success of the campaign that they have decided to do it all again in 2014 only this time it's going to be even bigger and better, in fact three Festivals have already approached the team to make Headbangers Balls their charity of choice! I attended and reviewed the Nottingham date of the tour last year and it was an absolutely brilliant evening of live music, laughter, beer and of course a way for us all to show our balls for charity!
One of the pledge items you could receive (and still can) was 'Headbangers Balls - The Live Album'. Now this isn't just an 'album of ten tracks by various bands that appeared on the Tour, oh no... this is TEN SETS hence the running time. Now I will point out the sound quality isn't perfect, although it's still very good, and these are warts and all performances but this is serious value for money and I would urge everybody reading this to go and purchase your download copy because not only will you receive all of this great music you'll also be helping an extremely worthy cause!
Bands appearing on this are Blackballed, Incinery, Zocalo, Scordatura, A Thousand Enemies, Bull Riff Stampede, Hanging Doll, Reign Of Fury, I Am I and Beholder and if you read my album or live reviews regularly then you should recognise some of those names and know that we are talking about some seriously talented independent bands from all spectrums of the metal universe. Sets range from 15 minutes for Blackballed up to 50 minutes for Beholder with the average length being approximately 30 minutes. Yes, some of them work better than others but this is not an exercise in criticising any particular performance. All of these bands gave their time up for free to raise money and entertain and they should be thoroughly applauded for that, as should all the people behind the scenes at all the venues and beyond. This was a mammoth task to achieve and the fact that it was successful says much about not only those who took part but all of the fans who came together (like only we can) to support it.
Plans for the 2014 Headbangers Balls are well under way with some great sponsors already helping out. Thanks to the likes of EMP, All Things Metal, Firebrand, Cherrybomb Band Promotion and Hobgoblin Beer. this year's events are going to be even better. There is already a huge bulging sack of band goodies to be won and that sack is growing all the time (donating just £2.00 will get you an entry to the prize draw to win) and once again many people are giving up their time and sanity completely free of charge!
If you want to be a part of the 2014 madness then I'm plugging all the links below again. This is very close to my heart because my wife is still going through treatment for cancer and every little bit we do can and will make a difference. At the very least you can get hold of a copy of 'Headbangers Balls - The Live Album', don't forget your money will go to the charity, and hear what made 2013 such good fun!
COME ON HEADBANGERS, SHOW YOUR BALLS!!
http://www.headbangersballs.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/headbangersballsUK
http://www.justgiving.com/headbangersballs
http://www.pledgemusic.com/artists/headbangersballs
https://twitter.com/headbangballs
https://www.facebook.com/reignoffury
Review written exclusively for Brutiful Entertainment by Rick Tilley
https://www.facebook.com/richard.tilley.351
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