Cutting Edge Showcase @ Underworld, Camden

After the astounding success of last years initial Cutting Edge showcase there was much anticipation for the second. The likes of Alestorm, Silent Descent and O.M.T brought the house down back in September, but now it was the turn of Ignominious Incarceration, Denounce, Snakebite, Reasonable Doubt and Into Exile.

Into Exile (6.5/10) seemed to emerge from knowhere in 2009. This didn't prevent them blasting their way to both the Band Quest and TotalRock M2TM finals, earning themselves the 'best new band' title. Tonight they opened up proceedings with a typical bout of ferociousness, the Underworld sound system making each riff hit harder than ever before. The vocals sound as if they get heavier everytime they play, which helps give weight to the impressive twin guitar attack. A rusty looseness holds the songs back a little but the head banging crowd don't seem to give a damn.

Next up were Reasonable Doubt (7) who were as usual impressively tight. The fact they are considered to be the 'most improved band' after impressing in last years Band Quest competition is of no surprise, and tonight they go one step further again. They sound massive with every note of their set maximised to its full potential, hitting the crowd for six. No wonder they are supporting Malefice in a few months.

One of the reasons Snakebite (7.5) steamrollered most of their opposition in last years Band Quest was charismatic frontman Jason Smith's ability to control any crowd put in front of him. It was no different on this night as the entire Underworld split into two for one of the biggest walls of death seen in North London in recent years. As always the Pantera influences shine through in this groove metal orientated set, with the crowd lapping up every note. Wacken won't know what's hit them!

You get the feeling with Denounce (7.5) that they could play an entire set upside down and backwards and still sound as tight and professional as they always do. 'Solace' is the best track of the night, combining lethal doses of heaviness and melody. Their thrash/death metal approach is one of unrelenting intensity which can leave the uninitiated gasping for breath.

Ignominious Incarceration (7.5) from Earache records sign the night off with a nice slab of melodic death metal. As proved on their album 'Of Winter Born' their material is slick, heavy and sometimes crushingly good. Andy Wardle's vocals sound big enough to lift the entire crowd and shake them until nothing is left. Sounding bigger and bolder than what had gone before Ignominious Incarceration bring the second Cutting Edge showcase night to an end.

This showcase may have ended but Band Quest 2010 is only about to begin.

http://www.myspace.com/ignominiousincarceration
http://www.myspace.com/denounce
http://www.myspace.com/snakebiteuk
http://www.myspace.com/reasonabledoubt
http://www.myspace.com/intoexileofficial