Protafield - Get you rough and gritty at Camden Rocks 2015!

***3/4

Industrial Metal goes down well in Camden!

Camden Rocks

Protafield ***3/4 used to be called Jayce Lewis are the frontman's name, and is a band that is loved by both Gary Numan and Burton C Bell (Fear Factory)... the later actually names the new band. These stars are not the only ones that love Protafield, Brian May (Queen) and Roger Taylor (Queen) worked with them on the new album 'Nemesis' and Dave Prowse (Darth Vader (Star Wars)) has had a hands on interest in the band.

The band seems to have a slightly different look today, Jayce is not in his normal Protafield outfit, their drop box is missing and there is a new guitarist in the band called Nikki Trash. This new guitarist looks very Thrash Metal and is rugged as well, so maybe this is the new look of the band. 'Perfect Defect' works well as an opener, but it's 'God Forced' that really impresses today... with it's heavy unforgiving Industrial sound. It hits you like a hammer, and you just want more. It's also a great song to stomp your feet to and get in the mood for possibly the only Industrial act at this year's Camden Rocks Festival, so you do wonder why they have been added to the bill.

They are a little out of place on a line-up full of Rock, Indie and Avant-Garde bands, ok there is a few Metal bands like Bullet for my Valentine and Skindred... but Jayce Lewis are far more from the dark arts side of the music industry. I do think bands like Nine inch Nails and Fear Factory being commercial success, has led the way for Jayce Lewis and the boys to do well. I do think this strange surroundings, does hault Protafield's full message coming across, not to mention the dodgy P.A. not coping with the bands futuristic equipment and backing track.

But this could be because the band only had a short time to set up, so I am not sure everything was set up to it's full potential. 'Severe Sever' is also a little disappointing in the bands set, you can't make out it's full sound, which is more the venue's fault than the bands. This is a real shame, because it's one of the bands best tracks.  'Wrath' has also been given a slightly different heavier Grunge tone to it and today is really stopping, and gives a great contrast to older track 'Solitaire' and newer track 'Sinner'.

You can see what the new direction that Jayce Lewis and Protafield are going to and as he goes on guitar for the track they end the set with the Jayce Lewis album classic 'Electric Medicine', you feel that the slight difference in the tracks really works well for him.And the new tint that has been added to the older tracks make them not seem out of place with the new material off 'Nemesis'. This means that the set is fluid and really works and makes the band come off as one to watch in 2015 / 2016.

If your a fan of Gary Numan and Fear Factory you must listen to the work of Jayce Lewis and Protafield, because this will be your new favourite band.I wouldn't say this was a classic performance by the band, but they did really well to stand up against so many bands playing Camden Rocks. The room was really full and everyone that attended the short performance, think enjoyed it. If the merchandise booth is anything to go by then this was a very successful performance, because everything got Sold Out!!!. 

Review and Photo's by Dan Devour

Check Out! the Video for 'God Forced' Below...