Finally Saz - this was to be the debut concert of their new lead vocalist and, as a result, they'd only rehearsed about 5 or 6 songs as the lady had only been a member of the band for about ten days at most. None of them need have worried. From the moment they hit the stage, the electricity charged, the sparks ignited and the band exploded - and you'd have thought that the new vocalist had been there months, not days. She poured her heart, soul, lungs and practically every fibre of her being into the songs, delivering them with a voice that was strong, powerful and clear, soaring and on fire, while the band unleashed a staright-down-the-line metallic mayhem that took the audience by storm. The rhythm section of this band is just fantastic as they drive it all forward with enough energy to light up Manchester, while the lead guitarist cuts loose with a sea of riffs and solos. The second female vocalist is the icing on the cake as she takes some leads but adds passion and depth to the songs, with both lead vocal and harmonies that really make this band so unique, even in the overcrowded world of real metal. Song-wise, it's addictive stuff, and you re almost singing along with numbers that you don't readily know. But while this really was a performance and a half by a band out to prove themselves, this was a night to be remembered for their new female lead singer - and enthusiastic audience - as she acquitted herself to perfection and showed that there is so much more life left in this band - we await a full set with expectancy.

Oh yeh - Saz!! Well, they began the set with the adrenaline metal rush of "Gotta Get A Grip" and the sudden eruption of electricity, energy and excitement had the whole audience right at the front, so that told its own story right from the start. With Electra grinning and boogieing (not easy sitting down), the band roared into the song, now newly rearranged so that lead singer Nikki's voice is much higher, almost Halford-esque if she goes up an octave or so, which perfectly works against Nichola's lower register vocal, as the two provided possibly the best performance of the song I've yet witnessed - slightly slower, you could hear the lyrics and the two vocalists were arranged and sounded just fantastic while Kev riffed away, Marina's bass boomed out and Rich drove it all to oblivion with some powerhouse drumming. Done and dusted, the audience were with them all the way.
From there they played a set that seemed a lot tighter tonight, the arrangements now really beginning to be noticed as the band gain stature and the two vocalists get better and better - tonight you could not fault either's performance and I have to say I've not heard Nichola sound better. But Nikki just blazed away, her higher vocal soaring over the solid state metal mayhem that gunned all around her. Have to say that, in a venue without tons of echo, it was first time I've realised just how bloody fantastic Rich's drumming is - and when he positively took over "Fight For Your Rights', he made most other metal drummers at this level look more like Animal out of the Muppets! "Nothing For You" seems to be becoming a definite anthem-like number and you could imagine this being huge with a decent production behind it. "Scavenger" is now a lot heavier and is one that you could tell just blew the audience away. With more solos from Kev, the vocals duelling, soloing and combining on a set of songs that have uniformly stunning hooks, and a rhythm section that could drive holes in small factories at half a mile away, this band is class. But the songs overall are really coming into their own now, the balance between heavy rock strength and quality combined with punk-esque speed, now nearing a level that's close to spot on, although I'll swear that the set still gets faster the longer the band gives it everything they've got. Bit like a rollercoaster that you just don't want to get off even tho it's hurtling up at a rate of knots.
They told me about a new arrangement to make the final number - "We Are Saz" - work so that the audience knows that the song is all about the band - and it worked - to a degree - now, as Nikki sings about that band member, the rest stop playing (altho Marina's bass was still thundering when Nikki was singing about Rich) and it's a a lot better, although I still think Nikki should introduce it as "a song about US!!" before launching into it so that the audience gets it right from the off, but that's just me being picky (again!!). Anyway, a red hot set that was loved by all - especially Electra who thought the whole band were great, the songs were hot and agrees with what I said all along - that the two vocalists are the "Saz sound". Stunner!!!

Saz were on first. A few changes immediately noticeable as Nikki was now stage right next to Marina on bass while Nichola was stage left next to riffing guitarist Kevin, although Nikki walked that stage tonight like she owned it - and she's looking even better!! Even Marina was flying around that stage - well, flying for Marina, that is - while Nichola swirled, swayed and danced, really putting her all into the performance. Tonight was a band seriously on the way up, knowing they're getting it apot on and having fun doing it. The set saw some song and running order changes, and was totally on fire, the mix allowing both vocalists and even a lot of the lyrics to come shining through, the latter never entirely in evidence in many a small concert hall. The tow vocalists shared a lot more of he songs tonight and while Niki's voice is still just stunning for such hard and fast songs, Nichola was much more in evidence and you really noticed how the two voices complement each other. The band played it tight and tore into the tracks with power and passion, Kevin unleashing the odd solo in among the riffing and driving while Marin's bass playing and Richie's drumming simply thundered. The only downside of the set now comes at the end where they do this song called "We Are Saz" whose lyrics relate to each member of the band, but at such a mentally metallic pace and unless it's a clear PA, you miss the humour and subtleties that this superbly tongue-in-cheek song possesses - let's hope they can find a way to correct this 'coz it's a great set closer, although I would bet it would actually be an even better set opener if they get it sorted. The audience were with them right from the start and I think they definitely gained some new converts tonight. Best set yet, only Nikki's 9th gig and things are improving in leaps and bounds.

                        
What can I say about Saz tonight - I've only seen them three times previously - lead vocalist Nikki's only been there about 8 weeks and I'm only just getting familiar with the song titles (well, three of them, anyway) - but tonight was magic - they were sensational!!! With a set order that was just spot on - fast numbers next to solid high flyers - this was a band on fire and ready to take on the world, never mind Dundee. The two vocalists - Nikki and Nicola were just amazing. Lead voice Nikki is so powerful and yet has such a purity of voice that at no time does she have to shout or holler or sound forced - this lady can sing - and then some - and the way she tears through "Metal Attack" would give most established vocalists a run for their money. Tonight this lady oozed confidence and had the audience transfixed and eating out of the palm of her hand. Nicola was superb too - the core uniqueness of this band revolves around the two vocalists and tonight she looked equally confident and really let go - her timing for the harmonies and dual-leads was just spot on and it has got to the stage where you just couldn't imagine this band without the both of them, the original songs lending themselves to a style that is every bit all Saz and two female singers who are just fantastic vocalists as well as having a stage presence that's now becoming quite commanding. Kev on guitar was just a whirlwind, riffing and soloing, scorching thorugh track after nuclear track, at times hardly allowing the vocalists a pause for breath as numbers joined without a break to the wrapt attention of the crowd. The driving force rhythm section of Ritchie on drums and Marina on bass drove the whole thing forward with solidity, power and positively nuclear force, Marina even moving about on stage tonight - a rare treat. I could go on - it was sensational stuff, and to a larger heavy rock audience would have come as a revelation - surely this is now just the beginning for what is the best "unknown" rock band around right now. They oozed confidence and it showed - I'd go to see them anytime and will - hope you will too - you'll be in for a treat and then some - red hot and running- the name is SAZ!!!!