The Dead XIII - Invite London to the New Grave!!!

July 27th 2015

London, Camden Barfly, UK

***1/2

Promising Metallers move towards their future.

The Dead XIII ***1/2 have been touring the UK, for quite a while now... and in the last year have started to get a following. Think Dope mixed with The Defiled, Generation Graveyard, Rob Zombie and Wednesday 13 and you have the sound of The Dead XIII. You can see why Ashestoangels added them to the 'British Horror Story' tour, and our ones that have been added to this New Grave scene that has emerged in the last year.

They have a really good image to, it emulates all of the mentioned bands above but they have also added their own tints. They mix up simplistic 90's Metal style riffs, with very strong screaming / heavy tinted vocals of singer Kurt Blackshard. With the vocals you can hear Kurt's determination to impress and he really goes all out on stage, like guitarist Ste Mahoney who shred for his life... from opening number 'Frostbite'.

Ok I have to say their sound is nothing new, and I think they could have done a lot more with their stage show. Like maybe go into some more theatrical moments, but maybe they want the music to stand out for itself and not have any gimmicks. But when they have such a cool image, I really think they are missing a few tricks. But then again the London, Barfly isn't the biggest stage to do this on... so maybe when they play bigger venues they will.

The thing about Metal these days, it's not all about the music... it's also about the full package. And The Dead XIII really could have that, if they put their mind to it. And the songs are really good, like single 'XIII', which I have to stay is one of their strongest in their set. Also the good thing I notice is that the Ashestoangels and Farewell, My Love fans seem to love them, which can't be a bad thing. I think this might not totally be their audience though, and I think their would be more appeal for the band on other bills.

Their set goes by in the blink of an eye, so they got which songs they were going to play and were not boring at all. They had good stage presence and attitude and this is what we want from a good live act. And all members of the band really shined, including Zombie Nikki Sixx (Motley Crue) look alike Symon Strange. Who just seems to be having a great time on stage, loving every minute that he is playing in this hot and sweaty venue. I think his image would have great appeal Stateside, and I can see him getting himself on posters in Revolver magazine in the future.

The Dead XIII already have so many great songs from 'Frostbite' to 'Stake my Date' and the single 'XIII' you can see why they are getting noticed by the Metal magazine and I think they might get a cult following here in the UK. But the sad thing is, I don't think they will ever get that big in England... which is a real shame. They don't really seem to get this genre, over here which is a real shame. You can see this by in the national press them giving bands like Rob Zombie and Coal Chamber low ratings, when I was at though's shows and they did solid performances.

They have so much to offer, but this is the music that sells so well in the US... so that where the band have to go to. I look forward to seeing this band in the future, and maybe even play some shows with them with my own band Death Valley Scars. I really like their sound and style, and they are a band I would purchase the CD's of.