Lancaster. Not a place one would normally associate with music. There have been one or two bands to escape from the confines of the Lune Valley and Pendle Witch curse to come to the attention of the rest of Great Britain, Angelica being the most notable, but generally the gaze of the public has escaped the small city.

But despite being stuck "up there" next to the Lake District, Lancaster has a thriving music scene, particularly a metal scene. One of the bands to emerge as strong front runners is Seraphim. The fact that they can count part of Angelica as part of their entourage that have come down from Lancaster on a specially chartered coach (on a rather random Tuesday) says something about the talents that the band possesses. The venue for tonight’s excursion, their first gig outside of the Lancaster circuit, is Band On The Wall, Manchester. This small intimate venue puts on the "Showcase Well North Of London" once a week to allow unsigned bands to strut their stuff and show the world what they are about.

Following a brief intermission from the end of the first act, Seraphim launch into their 7 song set. And launch is an understatement. The group hammer through the opener, "Sleeping" with every ounce of energy that the adrenaline can force out of them. Seraphim are undeniably "Metal". Their image, (Matt and Alan's long hair; Little Nick's strange hair braiding; Alan's "Metal" stage presence and vocal styling) songs and followers would suggest nothing less. But there is more to them than that. Songs such as "Oblivion Heights" and "Last Dance" offer metal with, can it be?, feeling. (And "Oblivion Heights" also offers the sight of the bands girlfriends and the "Seraphimettes" performing a dance routine, much to the amusement of the by now very large audience). The set is a varied one, taking songs from their first E.P 'Seraphim', the follow up 'Seraphim.2' and also newer tracks such as "Stories" and "Chinese Food Mind Games" (which has to be one of the best and yet strangest song names...EVER!).

I'll admit, I'm not a "Metalhead". My hair is too short, I don't have any inclination for piercings, and I don't see why you need to scream when you have an amplified mike... But Seraphim genuinely impressed me. Their songs were tuneful, melodic and extremely well delivered. The sound that emanated was perfect. Every instrument could be heard succinctly and formed with Alan's vocals to produce almost an aural nirvana. You could not have asked for a better musical result. This is even more remarkable when you consider that parts of the set up such as the drum kit and PA, were not the bands own, leaving the band to struggle on at times with strange configurations. (Particularly in Matt, the drummers, case). (Note to the band...you really really don't need a keyboard player...the sound is perfect as it is).

What more can I say. An impressively delivered set filled with genuinely good songs. I honestly look forward to the recently commissioned album with anticipation...

More information on Seraphim can be found at www.seraphim.iwarp.com

Rating- 5/5

by Fraser Reid - 21-4-2002

Taken From Miuzik.com