Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *
Britain may be, in some eyes, the epitome of Metal and the often derided, and yet fulfilling, centre of the Progressive movement, but there is no denying the sense of beauty and epic which comes from the heartlands of Scandinavia, that the ability to weave a glorious tale that unmistakably captures the essence of old Norse sagas and stories that brought to life the world of heroes such as Beowulf, of Thor, and Odin.
Liverpool Sound and Vision 9/10
Some people aspire to be seen as something they can never be, others to shine and lure like untapped gold in a seam, for the special breed though, for those that choose to reflect light and make a room full of people gasp at how they are then seen, to be the Diamond in the Rough is the understanding that being special is not about making others envious, to make them seethe and writhe in jealousy, but to make them feel good about life, to make them believe in their own self-worth.
Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10
Not everyone has the natural movement of swagger gushing out of every pore, not everyone has the ability to cause a tornado to turn tail and steer clear of the hurricane they employ when performing, and few can announce themselves in such a way that it makes you wonder why the world in all its glory, has not found a way to be more accommodating to those that deliver in spades without finding ways to tear them down, to make all feel as though there is war against artistry and creativity being waged.
Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10
In our rush to embrace the modern age, where we believe our lives are governed by a progress that is all knowing, where we believe we have a say in every decision made and that our lives matter to those we entrust our vote with, we have forgotten one detail to which put us, as a species, on the road to shaping the planet in our image; that of chivalry, of gallantry and the mark of respect to those who pave the way of tales of sorcery and the values and allegories of the Knight and the quest to which they are bonded.
Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8,5/10
The internet age is a double edged sword that looks as though it will forever wield a divisive touch to everything that will appear through the void and for all to notice, too be subjected to, for all to find and enjoy a moment’s diversion for.
For every moment of rare beauty or thrilling masterpiece you might stumble across, there a million serpents spilling their venom of dissatisfaction and scowling features of disgust at you for not believing in their message, for ignoring their own attributed sense of self-worth as they dictate that what they do, they do it for the public’s health and enjoyment.
Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *
Christmas pulls on the heart strings for a reason, and if we took away the forced gluttony of overspending, of treating it as if it was a period to over-indulge, to practise a sense of religion that for the rest of the year we have no truck with, all that would be left is a moment in which we reflect during the short hours of light and the lengthening shadows of dark, of all that we may have achieved, who has been by our side and who has supported us during the bright, unclouded days.
Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10
It is the Misfits who, if not make the world go round, then at least interesting enough to stay and watch the merry-go-round in which they take centre stage, add depth and colour to our lives, and can spark the revolution enough to change people’s minds on how they carry themselves in life, even in the face of straightlaced and conformist opposition.
Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10
There is a time to be practical and there is a time to immerse yourself in beauty, the lie of grace, the sincerity of belief, and if you are fortunate these strangers will be chance or design, get together and find common ground in which to share time with an audience, in which to be considered a storm which possesses the roots of all that would make any artist blush with pride at the abundance of feeling in which to work with.
Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *
To be Held, is to understand closeness, it is to feel connected, to hear of others find ways of communicating such expression without the use of physical touch is to recognise that the world over, we need contact more than we yearn solitude.
Kim Edgar’s latest release exemplifies that sentiment of persuasive truth with a kindness of touch that is embedded throughout the songs of Held. Such insightfulness which captures the meaning whilst extolling both vocal and musicianship is to be admired, to have the conversation of communication being played out in the open, rather than being buried in the hushed tones of silence.
Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10
There is a justified anger that needs to be addressed in this world, one which has the even the most sympathetic, kindest and empathy driven people declaring the mantra Not In My Name as though it is fire being expelled from the mouth, and rightly so, for in a world that seems hell bent on dividing itself over every detail, to actively declare you are against the machinations of a system forcing itself upon you, insisting that its dogma is more worthy than your own thoughts, it is no wonder the world is on fire.