‘If heavy metal bands ruled the world, we’d be a lot better off,’ said Iron Maiden’s frontman, Bruce Dickinson. Seeing how the current bunch of decidedly non-heavy metal rulers of the world are currently doing, he might be right.
The power, passion and longevity of this musical genre has perhaps had no greater ally in Guernsey than the broiling crucible that is Chaos Festival. The annual cliff-top gathering is taking its final bow next weekend after 20 years of self-proclaimed ‘bikes, beer and bands’. And who has it chosen to be its headline act? Who else could it be? Nemesis.
Formed in 1997 by schoolmates Danny Joyce (vocals and rhythm guitar) and drummer Darran James. A wanted ad in a chip shop procured the services of bassist Brin Harrison and very soon they were joined by lead guitarist Zack Moustrappe.
‘Chris and Tim Bran had a recording studio, Ocean Studio, and we used to practice there,’ explained bassist Brin Harrison. ‘Very early on in our recording career we released our first EP, Unleash The Beast, in 1989. We didn’t have much of a clue then but we did have a lot of enthusiasm.’
The EP was produced by Tim Bran, who would go on to be part of Dreadzone and produce The Orb, The Charlatans, Primal Scream and Paul McCartney. It features a lascivious, very metal and very-much-of-its-time cover photo.
‘Apparently it’s quite rare and fetches around £100 on eBay,’ said Danny, proudly nursing a copy.
This was followed up by a cassette-only release of their first full 10-track album, Smile Or Die, in 1991.
The band’s popularity meant they embarked on two successful tours of the Midlands and ‘up North’, gigs in Jersey and Alderney, headline performances at Market Rock on Liberation Day in 1991, 1992 and 1993, and a headline performance at the 1993 Vale Earth Fair. They also regularly packed out the Tav, the VB and Beau Sejour.
Various members came and went, including Glenn Holmes and Jem Rossler.
The band went their separate ways in 1993.
But you can never keep a good metal band apart (see also Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Guns N’ Roses and Megadeth) and in 2007, Nemesis returned with new drummer, Daz Carre, and delivered to the world a new album – The Hills Are Alive With The Sound Of Metal.
‘It was a very, very different sounding album,’ explained Daz.
‘It sped up a lot, there was more double bass drums. It turned to a more metal sound. I’d been in Earthcorpse with Mark Le Page, Bob Klein and John McConnell.’
‘I think Daz wanted to turn us into a thrash metal band,’ said Brin.
Their comeback gig was a rapturous affair at the Fermain Tav.
‘We had a reputation, even after all those years, and so many people welcomed us back,’ said Danny. ‘There were people out in the car park.’
2011 saw the release of Forever In Metal, the band’s third LP.
In 2015 Cult Metal Records released a new, specially-selected ‘best of’ Unleash The Beast CD which consisted of 14 songs: four tracks from the original EP, four from The Hills Are Alive..., five from Forever In Metal and, because they had been invited to headline Chaos 10, a never-before-released track written specially for the festival: (It’s Incomprehensible That People) Don’t Love Metal. It came complete with a colour version of the original cover, making it, if possible, even more lascivious.
‘We had a fantastic light show at Chaos 10 and it was a real honour to play,’ said Danny.
‘It elevated us and represented what we really really could be.’
Daz explained another reason for headlining.
‘I’m the manager of the main stage and Ozy Chris [Chaos’ organiser] said that because we headlined at Chaos 10, it only seemed right that Nemesis headlined for the 20th and last. ‘We never really split up. Every year we get together for a Christmas drink and we’ve done a couple of private gigs.’
‘I have to really challenge myself,’ said Danny. ‘When we got together to practise it was a relief that I could still sing. But it’s so exciting to play that stuff again.
‘Some of us are in other bands and play covers. But Nemesis have always done original stuff. It’s much better gigging originals. I’m the songwriter and Zack said to me, “It’s virtually pop music”. Everything needs a melody.’
The lads are looking forward to pulling on the leathers, spandex and the studded wristbands and getting back on stage again.
‘We’ve been practising for around three months now,’ said Daz. ‘It’s still all there in the muscle memory.’
‘It’s all about performance,’ admitted Danny. ‘Legs as wide apart as possible, the fist pumps, the feet up on the monitors.’
‘I’m the oldest member,’ said Brin. ‘Nearly 60 and still wearing the same clothes. We’re very lucky to carry on doing it. 1987 till now. That’s a long time.’
‘We’ll do something again, but there will be another gap,’ said Danny. ‘But hopefully not as long.’
It was great meeting Nemesis. Four good mates who have played together for years and still genuinely love the music they play – and judging by their headline spot next week, people still love the music they play too.
So, I’ll end as I started, with another quote, this time by Judas Priest singer Rob Halford.
‘Heavy metal is always going to be there. At its core, it’s all about a primitive connection we all need to keep in our lives.’
Nemesis, keep on rocking.
Chaos 20 is at Pleinmont Point on Friday, Saturday and Sunday 27, 28 and 29 June. Tickets and full information at chaosevents.com.
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