Words by: Bea Burridge
Photo by: Jeff C Parker
Thursday, July 3rd, saw the anticipated debut performance of Burning Claw Massacre, a band that came charging onto the Camden live music scene at The Fiddler’s Elbow. This famous intimate venue, known for its unfiltered atmosphere, provided the perfect backdrop for what was ultimately a memorable first gig.
The night, which began with an unexpected acoustic set from a Scottish folk band, quickly morphed into something entirely different when Burning Claw Massacre took to the stage. The transition from folk to rock was a wake-up call, but the crowd immediately warmed to the shift as soon as the heavy bass lines started.
The set opened with the electrifying Come Out Swinging, and from the first note, it was clear that this band had something to prove. The rhythm section, led by Mark Turner on bass, immediately captivated us all. Meanwhile, the guitars of Rich Groom and Paul Garcia laid down thick, layered riffs that were reminiscent of the melodic sections from Metallica hits.
The music of Burning Claw Massacre, has a heavy-metal flair, built on intricate, melodic guitar solos weaving in and out of powerful, tight riffs that hit with force, lead by Johnny Ogle on vocals. His voice filled the room, with the a tone that had me thinking back to a young Ozzy Osbourne. Raw, yet refined.
Despite their debut status, Burning Claw Massacre have clearly found their musical identity. Each track maintained a consistent level of intensity, all held together by the drumming of Sean Rayner.
Regardless of their undeniable talent, the venue provided only a modest stage. The mood lighting, which has become something of a trademark for Camden venues, lent an air of intimacy and nostalgia to the performance, but it left much to be desired in terms of production value, but the venue’s unassuming nature allowed the evident talent of the band to shine through without any distractions.
The set reached its peak with the final track, Too Late To Die Young, a future anthem that showcased the band’s range and depth. The song kicked off with a fantastic opening which was fronted by an unexpected harmonica solo from Johnny, highlighting the band’s ability to switch gears and experiment with different styles without losing their core sound. Fans of Them Crooked Vultures will find themselves at home with Burning Claw Massacre’s sound.
Burning Claw Massacre were not constrained by the modest production value at this grassroots venue, the band’s clear talent was more than enough to leave a lasting impression. If this gig is any indication, they have a certain future ahead of them, full of big stages, strobe lighting and smoke machines.
Watch this space, Burning Claw Massacre is just getting started.