Hells Bells review at The Tunnels in Bristol | AC/DC Tribute Band
Posted on: 2016-02-29
Our rating:
Spot-on, musically impeccable, cover-wise audaciously sensational, Hells Bells put on a fearlessly spirited set, jam-packed with explosive takes of original classics, and rose exactly the right amount of hell that would have made AC/DC proud.
Rock 'n roll decibels were well and truly ramped up to 11 when AC/DC tribute band Hells Bells played at The Tunnels in Bristol on Friday 19th February 2016.
An accomplished band who have played at various venues across the UK as well as a multitude of gigs abroad including Belgium, Russia, Portugal and Austria, Hells Bells effortlessly and perfectly matched the sound of the original rock and heavy metal pioneers.
The warm-up band might have pulled out at the last minute, leaving the braying, increasingly intoxicated revellers waiting to warm up their musical tastebuds, but it needn't have mattered. By the time Hells Bells finally rocked it on to the stage, the crowd had already reached an already heady, apoplectic apex of excitement, and shouted, whooped, hollered and went bat-crazy for the five-piece cover band.
AC/DC themselves have a formidable reputation with their musical output and indisputable legendary status, having sold more than 200 million records worldwide. Their album Back in Black sold 50 million copies - the fifth highest selling album by any artist - and they ranked 23 in VH1's 2010 list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.
Their style combines hard/blues rock, heavy metal and rock 'n roll, and Hells Bells rose to the mighty musical challenge magnificently - and then some, proving without doubt precisely why they are regarded as one of the best AC/DC cover bands in the world. The sound was recreated faultlessly, lead vocalist Lee Jay - complete with the sartorial adornment of Brian Johnson's flat cap - belted out gutsy, ballsy renditions of AC/DC's thrashing, electrifying musical odes to sex, booze, rock 'n roll and bad mojo.
Ballistic isn't the word as The Tunnel's party people and evidently longstanding AC/DC devotees rocked, air guitared, head banged and moshed their way through classics such as Thunderstruck, Shoot to Thrill, Sin City, Rock 'n' Roll Damnation, T.N.T, Rock 'n' Rolls Train, Fire Your Guns, and the ultimate rock anthem, Highway to Hell.
Spot-on, musically impeccable, cover-wise audaciously sensational, Hells Bells put on a fearlessly spirited set, jam-packed with explosive takes of original classics, and rose exactly the right amount of hell that would have made AC/DC proud.
4.5/5
Jamie Caddick for 365 Bristol
Keep up to date with Hells Bells through their website www.hellsbells.info.
Article by:
Born and raised in the suburbs of Swansea, Jimmy moved to Bristol back in 2004 to attend university. Passionate about live music, sport, science and nature, he can usually be found walking his cocker spaniel Baxter at any number of green spots around the city. Call James on 078 9999 3534 or email Editor@365Bristol.com.
