GIG REVIEW: Stormzone – Belfast Album Launch @ The Spring & Airbrake, Belfast Sat 28 April 2012

- By Phil Allely

Northern Irish band Stormzone are a good old fashioned rock collective. Their songs hit you hard and fast, are catchy as hell and they really do make you want to punch the air along with them. The band fronted by easy going vocalist Harv Harbinson are a very talented one too, each taking pride in their work and the music they make.

On this night in Belfast the group took to the stage to celebrate the launch of their latest album ‘Zero to Rage’. What was nice was that the growing crowd were treated to a number of other NI acts too, each one helping build up the atmosphere and showcase their wares also.

Promoters Stage Door Entertainment pulled off a fine feat here as the support acts can often hinder a gig if they are ill-chosen or poorly researched. Sinocence, Stevie K band and Triggerman will certainly now be on my own personal radar and indeed that of many in attendance too.

So what did the mighty Stormzone deliver I hear you ask? Well as expected this was a night influenced by such bands as Iron Maiden, Saxon and the like. Harv and Co. brought us an old school rock set that messr’s Dickenson and his cohorts used to do so well. Fists did indeed punch the air, heads were banged and the sound of pure rock filled the air.

I music admit it is nice to see a band who obviously enjoy their work, embrace their section of the genre so enthusiastically and one that know their audience so well too. This is an outfit that certainly deserve the attention this album has been receiving. New bands on the scene should look them up for some tips.

One other nice point during this launch show was the way Harv acknowledged not only the work of the support bands, but the ones who played in a sister venue before this gigs doors opened. In an industry that can be so cut throat it is nice to see some genuinely amicable doing well for themselves who are more than willing to help others get on in the business.