Scarlet Rebels Chepstow Castle 21-8-26
A cool dry Friday evening in the quite magnificent Chepstow Castle saw a very good sized crowd enjoy 5 bands showcasing the best in UK talent.
Juliet's Not Dead were first up and started the procedings in fine style with their take on modern hard rock with big singalong choruses and bigger riffs including Don't Play Nice ,Open Fire and Secrets.
The Virginmary's had a dedicated following and hit hard from the word go. Singer and guitarist Ally Dickaty introduced the band as me and him with him being drummer Danny Dolan.The chemistry and telepathic driving rhythms between the 2 was mesmerising and When The Lights Go Down was the perfect match with it's stop start riff and pounding drums and huge chorus and they went down a storm.
Kris Barras's Hollow Souls are Kris's bluesier side project with his Kris Barras Band main man Josiah J Manning on guitars and keyboards and Kris sharing vocals with Phoebe Jane .
Playing 4 tracks from their debut ep including Borderline and Bad Things plus a cover of Led Zeppelin's Rock N Roll and ending with his main bands hit Hail Mary left us wanting more.
The organisation behind the evening was exceptional with great sound and lights for every band and the changeover's between was managed superbly with all supports getting 30 minutes each to showcase their talents.
The turnaround before Scarlet Rebels was done in a mind boggling 10 minutes but right on time Llanell's finest hit the stage to huge applause.
Opening with the very apt This Is Happening Now as this was the band's largest headline show and from the crowd reaction everyone knew the first single from their forthcoming album Flawed By Design, due for release on 13 November 2026 via Earache Records.
Pre-orders Available HERE .If the band had any concerns of following up a UK top 15 album and playing their largest ever headline show then it was very well hidden.
There was no let up and it was anthem after anthem as the band led by Wayne Doyle on guitar and vocals with Gary Doyle on drums,Carl Oag on bass and vocals and Chris Jones on lead guitar and vocals went for the jugular.
Save Me had the first audience sing along before You Take My Breath Away had another superb Chris guitar solo. His playing is to another level always melodic and telling a story and no note spare.
Take You Home was driven along at breakneck speed by Gary's drum rhythm and the chorus was sand back at the band with hand's raised to the Welsh night air.
The new album's second single Don't Look Down was greeted like a long lost friend and love the line I aint got a parachute but I'm jumping anyway which was seen on many a band T shirt.
Grace's big guitar riff and slight ease in pace but seeing no less power in it's delivery and Wayne's melodic pre chorus was superb before his sole delivery on the main chorus line.
Chain's will be the third single due out next month from the new album and a video was shot and another sure fire winner with it's great chorus.
Secret Drug is a wonderful live song with it's rolling guitar riff and taut rhythm and audience participation was guaranteed.
Before closer It Was Beautiful took us to the stars. Wayne's melodic opening verse was sang back by the Welsh choir and if their had have been a roof on the castle it would have been removed by band crowd in perfect unison.
A wonderful end to a fantastic evening and Scarlet Rebels showing why they are on the verge of super stardom.
All photos used with thanks and credited to chen.capture .
