Summoners EP Launch: A triumph at Edge of the Wedge -Live Review

Summoners held their EP Launch Party at the Edge of the Wedge recently, we were there to witness the spectacle...

What the Portsmouth music fans witnessed at the intimate 100-capacity Edge of the Wedge was nothing short of a triple assault worthy of Download Festival's main stage – three bands operating at such a ferocious level that any could have taken part there and not been out of place. They should have booked a bigger venue.. requests for tickets came in right up until the doors opened... A sell out show is something all bands would want for their debut EP launch and Summoners did just that...

No surprise really. What a lineup. The term "support acts" feels woefully inadequate when describing what unfolded even before Summoners took to the stage at the EP launch last Saturday night.

Evil Villains may have opened the evening, but their crushingly heavy riffs and absolutely throat-shattering vocal performance immediately established them among the heaviest, darkest, most devastating acts we've witnessed this year. The weight of their riffs and blasting drums felt like a series of black holes opening and sucking in any resistance to the rhythm. There was nothing left the crowd could do but bang their heads.

By the time they'd finished demolishing the room, we were nursing a very welcomed case of whiplash. This is a band we're actively seeking to feature in future lineups – the kind that'll detonate with the force of ten tons of TNT for sure.

Go find them on Instagram for the latest from them here.

Have a listen to the latest from Evil Villains below. Yet another bangin' record - tracked, produced and recorded by Southsea Sound right here in the heart of the Portsmouth Music Scene.

Hailing from London, The Monday Smile arrived as genuine torchbearers of grunge's resurgence on these shores, and no more skilled ambassadors could be found for the mission. These musicians don't merely perform grunge – they embody its essence while demonstrating why they're among the tightest live acts on the underground scene. 

From the raw riffage of "We're not going out like this" to the melodic devastation of absolute earworm "Eat the Rich," The Monday Smile proved they possess the technical prowess, compositional intelligence, and sheer presence that marks bands destined for greatness. Their intentionally ragged edges mask sophisticated musicianship that breathes authenticity into every note.

Where mid-set PA difficulties would have threatened lesser performers, The Monday Smile simply bulldozed through the technical obstacles with seasoned professionalism. Rather than panic during the power outage, they continued unleashing their arsenal as if equipment failures were merely speed bumps in their carefully honed stagecraft. The venue's excellent technicians quickly restored order, but The Monday Smile's unflappable response demonstrated exactly why they deserve your attention. Do not miss them live. Period.

Hit up The Monday Smile on Instagram here.

Summoners approached their stage with calm professionalism, but what followed was pure sonic warfare. Their live delivery matched the bright, polished ferocity of their new "No Control" EP while adding the irreplaceable electricity that only live performance provides..

Joshua screams out lyrics like his very existence depends on it, while John's bass delivers chest-rattling foundation with mathematical precision and intricacy. Andy weaves melodic passages over the framework like some possessed composer crafting otherworldly horror themes – think sci-fi nightmare horror fuel brought to devastating life. Jackson Algrove's guitar work flows with the natural ease of someone born clutching a six-string, his rhythm and lead work absolutely rock solid. Then there's chest rattling bass with almost mathrock like intricacy from John on bass. As for Dave Bicheno-Samways' drumming – this is where atomic timekeeping finds its master, violent precision that drives everything forward with unstoppable momentum.

The crowd's response to each "No Control" track was electric. The ensuing mosh pit served as ultimate testimony to the raw emotional power these compositions carry. With cool, calm authority, The Summoners came, saw, and conquered completely. This EP isn't just launched – it's secured its position among our absolute favorites of 2025.

Don't lose track of events - Find them on Instagram here.

And you can now buy the EP 'No Control' from the Summoners own BandCamp page right here.

What transpired at Edge of the Wedge transcended typical EP launch expectations. Three bands delivered blistering performances that collectively announced the health and vitality of underground rock's current state. Evil Villains proved brutality still has its place, The Monday Smile demonstrated grunge's continued relevance, and The Summoners established "No Control" as essential listening.

We implore you to follow all three careers closely. These are acts worth championing, performances worth experiencing, and music worth celebrating. The intimate venue provided perfect backdrop for what amounted to a masterclass in live rock execution. Rock on and Prosper all.

Special recognition must go to Southsea Sound Studios of Portsmouth, whose award-winning team recorded and produced The Summoners' exceptional "No Control" EP. Their ongoing support for local bands, combined with Phase B Records' promotional efforts, made this triumphant evening possible.

Southsea Sound continues to be instrumental in nurturing Portsmouth's thriving music scene – readers seeking professional recording services should visit their website at SouthseaSound.co.uk to discover what this most excellent facility can offer....