Rabidfest 2023: “Kaleidoscope” by Second Hour (Track Review)

In a change to the schedule for this CRAZY weekly feature for Rabidfest which has seen us introduce all the bands, review tracks, talk about bands we’ve love to see at the event in the future and so much more, we’re going to show Oxford Metal quartet Second Hour some love. They were due to drop a brand new single in “Seven Sins” but seeing as it’s been delayed, we’re going to review their April single “Kaleidoscope” instead. Make sense? No? Good. Before we get to that, lets just say this. If you haven’t got your ticket for Oxford’s finest annual Metal Weekender then… it’s taking place at The Bullingdon over the weekend of 4th and 5th November and it’s the fifth Anniversary! Twenty – count ’em – bands will take to the Devolution Magazine sponsored main stage and the profits will go to the The Sophie Lancaster Foundation! So what are you waiting for?! Here’s the line up in full…

Bound In Fear
Blaze Bayley
Absolva
Ward XVI
Mortishead
Tribe Of Ghosts
Gutlocker
Imperium
From Her Ashes
Draconian Reign
Monasteries
Reveller
LestWeForget
Johanna Rey
Cage Fight
Stone Soup
Second Hour
Depolarize
Indecorum
Sworn Amongst

A band with a big reputation for their live show hailing from the heart of Oxford, Second Hour spent the better part of fourteen years known as Last Rites before changing their name in November 2022 and while they call themselves a Hard Rock band… they sit in the space between a blink and a tear between that and Metal. Their debut single under the new name surfaced in April this year titled “Kaleidoscope” and it’s an Old School inspired hidden gem of a tune. Death Metal growls (yes, you read that right) float over the top of Doom laden opening riffs with sinister overtones as the beast awakens, setting a dark atmosphere before the band dive in a lead riff that is reminiscent of “Hallowed Be They Name” by Iron Maiden to get the necks snapping. Surfacing for air with some Black Sabbath influenced earworm riffs the quintet break out some chant-able clean vocals about how the struggles of everyday life, chemically enhanced by uncleans to add a little spice. One to scream along to with a poison chalice raised in riff worship and respect before racing into the pit for the blistering final 40 second burst of rhythmic satisfaction, it’s safe to say that when they harness that extra few percentage points with the live energy, this is going to drop like an anvil on skulls whenever taken to the stage [7.5/10]

We’re proud to be a Media Partner of Rabidfest again this year alongside Red Death Media, Moomin Merchandise, Metalplanetmusic, Moshville Times, GraphicsFix, Unearthed Music and main stage sponsor Devolution Magazine. The Festival is all for charity and this year the profits going to the The Sophie Lancaster Foundation!

Rabidfest will take place at The Bullingdon in Oxford over the weekend of the 4th and 5th November 2023:

Get your tickets here -> https://www.rabidfest.co.uk

Get your merch here -> https://shop.rabidfest.co.uk