It was St Patrick’s day which naturally gave Nottingham a buzz throughout the city, by the time I got to the venue I was already pumped. It did however result in getting a drink taking longer which meant I missed the first band. Thankfully the upstairs bar was a completely different story with friendly staff and reasonable prices!
The Angel Microbrewery
The pub dates back to the 1700s which, I don’t need to remind my American readers, likely makes it older than the country you’re reading from. These days it operates as a microbrewery with a great range of beers. The music was tucked away from the chaos in a small top-floor room called The Chapel. It’s a high-ceilinged space with surprisingly solid acoustics, and the sound throughout the night was genuinely impressive.
Loop Earplugs
The sound was only going to get better as well. I was lucky enough to be gifted a pair of Loop Experience 2 earplugs for Christmas, and they completely changed the experience. They strip out unnecessary noise while still letting all the good stuff through. I’ve been to so many gigs where my ears are still ringing the next morning, so I genuinely couldn’t believe how well these eliminated that. A proper game changer.
Blood Lament
The first full act of the night for me was Blood Lament, which turned out to be a really interesting project. Take the intensity of metalcore, add a splash of electronics here and there, mix it with strong vocals and a gothic edge, and you’re pretty much there.
As a solo project it did a great job warming up the crowd, with a mix of original tracks like “Authority,” “VICTIMISER,” and “Father,” alongside a standout System Of A Down cover. There are plans to work with Blood Lament in the future as well, so keep an eye on this space.
Ruena
Talk about good timing, as this gig came just a week after we featured Ruena on the site as part of our Set The Tone With segment. It’s always great to meet the artists we work with, and this was no exception. What a gem. It was also a massive surprise to see the Haggard Cat boys, Matt and Tom, on guitar and drums, so shout out to you both and I’ll see you in Nottingham in May.
What followed was enough to drag me from my safe spot at the back of the room right into the thick of it. Ruena was bouncing around the stage non-stop, yet somehow never sacrificed vocal quality, which is no small feat. After a few cheeky comments about being on her knees, which to be fair did happen more than once, the set really kicked up a notch. Tracks like “The Tide” and “Paraffin” landed brilliantly, while new single “Leech” stood out as the crowning moment. I’m really looking forward to seeing where her journey goes next.
Heartstrung
I hadn’t come across Heartstrung before the night, but that didn’t stop me enjoying the set. I did take the opportunity to introduce myself to Scott from Lo Rays, who is an absolute gent, and grab a quick sit down, but even then the music still had me moving. Their style could be described as gung-ho, but they definitely knew how to make the room come alive and keep the energy ticking over nicely.
Lo Rays
If I had to describe Lo Rays’ aesthetic, I’d say it’s what happens when a Mad Max-style world collides with steampunk and a splash of black makeup. Something the entire band pulls off brilliantly. Musically, they are synth-heavy with pop-style choruses layered over massive riffs, all contrasted by unexpected bursts of screams. You could call it metalcore, but it goes beyond that. It’s not just a sound, it’s something the band fully embodies.
Watching them live is genuinely fascinating, and it’s hard to take your eyes off them. Their coordinated dance segments feel slightly eerie at first, but that only adds to the intrigue and makes the whole performance more memorable.
Just last week the band released their second EP, “RE:BIRTH SEQUENCE,” which includes “Scapegoat,” previously reviewed by us, alongside “Playing Both Sides” and “Knee High,” both of which have firmly planted themselves in my playlists and, if I’m honest, my subconscious as well.
What they did really well was balance the set between new material and older tracks like “Algorithm Gods” and “Factory Settings,” showing there’s plenty worth exploring in their back catalogue too.
Musically everyone was on form and the crowd were fully invested. The set closed with a full-on headbanging session, while Laura poured every ounce of emotion into a scream that genuinely hit home. That contrast between raw intensity and pop sensibility is exactly what sets them apart, and I genuinely can’t think of another band doing what they are doing right now. That in itself is rare.
I was also really impressed by their use of electronic elements, especially the setup next to Scott which seemed to handle pre-recorded layers, something more bands should consider. Their crowd interaction felt authentic, theatrical, and genuinely memorable, and it’s something they absolutely need to hold onto no matter how big they get or what venues they end up playing.
I caught up briefly with Laura after the set and was blown away, not just by how talented she is, but by how genuinely lovely and humble she came across. It won’t be long before people really start paying attention. Lo Rays, the Scottish band with a Finnish heart, are on the verge of something big.
Photography
I was also lucky enough to meet Jack from Jackstagemedia at the gig, a photographer who clearly knows his craft and was more than happy to chat throughout the night. While we didn’t catch up in person, Elena from Elenainthepit also kindly provided access to her photos from the event. To both of you, thank you. Your work genuinely elevates this review to another level. Social links for both photographers can be found below.
Fox Reviews Rock 
Let Fox Reviews Rock know what you think!