Words and Photos: LMC
The gig kicked off with Mizzo, a new two-piece band hailing from Liverpool. On a night already set to showcase an eclectic blend of genres rooted in heaviness, Mizzo delivered a dynamic fusion of doom, stoner, and thrash metal. The duo quickly found their stride, their sound conjuring images of vast, cosmic voids. Even without a bassist, their tone remained full and immense—like an enormous, shimmering star. Their massive riffs were further elevated by haunting, ethereal vocals.
Mizzo produced a sound that sat comfortably between classic Black Sabbath heaviness and fuzz-drenched psych rock, all while weaving in the technical flair found in some of metal’s finest post-’90s guitar work. Fans of Devin Townsend and Tool would have found plenty to appreciate in their layered intensity and rhythmic complexity, while admirers of Mothers of Invention, King Crimson, and CAN would have been drawn to their adventurous arrangements and willingness to push beyond traditional boundaries.
All the way from Dublin, 7LZ delivered an epic sound that fused experimental textures, trance-like rhythms, and the spirit of mid-70s German avant-garde music into a single, exhilarating storm. Trying to compare them to any one artist feels impossible—their tones and soundscapes function less as genres and more as full-body experiences. Their ethereal layers didn’t amplify the heaviness laid down by the first band; instead, they opened up a cosmic pathway, moving effortlessly from light to heavy and back again.
Kling Klang hit the stage and immediately locked into their unmistakable signature sound—tight, precise, and fully in command. Right away, the influence of CAN and their contemporaries was evident. The strength and structure of the rhythm section stood out from the first moments, grounding the performance while the band delivered tones that felt pulled straight from an old Old Grey Whistle Test session—nostalgic in spirit, yet fresh, inventive, and distinctly futuristic.
Their ability to channel—what felt to me like—the imagery of J.G. Ballard’s brutalist sensibilities into their music is something I haven’t encountered in a long time. The way they translate image into sound—seamlessly and, in my view, incredibly effectively—is remarkable in its own right. They blended simplicity with a magical quality in their tones; the synths felt constitutional but stripped-back and they paired it all with richly layered textures riding atop the strong rhythm. The result evokes a distinctly High-Rise atmosphere—stark, towering, and vividly architectural.
Kling Klang’s space-rock excursions occasionally hinted at Sabbath-like riffage, which showcased how versatile they truly are. What struck me most, though, was the sheer power and precision of their performance—and how effortlessly adaptable they’ve become, shaped by their history with different instrumentation.
The gig highlighted the full spectrum of what could be described as progressive, psychedelic, and—even—proto-punk. Each act brought its own distinct style, yet they all seemed to grow from the same creative branch.
Links:
Kling Klang
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/klingklangband
Bandcamp: https://klingklang.bandcamp.com
7LZ
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_7lz___/
Mizzo
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mizzomusic/