Ashtar

Rotherham Oakwood Centre

15 May 2004

Photos by Adrian the Rock.

Classic Rock Society

It was fantastic to have the chance to see Ashtar from Brazil at the CRS in Rotherham - and they did themselves credit!

Fernanda Mesquita's vocals are wonderfully laced with feeling.

Lead guitarist Luiz Garcia is also a major inspiration for the band.

Thiago Guimarães is another talented guitarist.

Pedro Guimarães plays a major role on the keys.

I wish my hair would grow like bassist Fabio Guilherme's! :)

Daniel Dobbin fires the band from his drumkit.

Fernanda also plays several instruments, such as Bodhran here.

Luiz and Fabio do Napalm Death-style growls on some of their songs - I was impressed with the range of moods they evoked using techniques like this rather than technology.

Thiago switches to acoustic guitar on some numbers.

Fernanda can express a wonderful range of feelings.

Both Luiz and Fernanda also play recorders.

Daniel's really in the flow of things here.

Fernanda now plays recorder.

Here's Fabio while joining the chorus.

Thanks to the Classic Rock Society for arranging this great gig. Just the chance to see my top two current favourite bands on the same bill, when one have to travel all the way from Brazil, for me on its own more than justifies my CRS subscription. Thanks also to Alistair Flynn for helping with Ashtar's arrangements.

Here are also photos of Karnataka headlining the same bill that night.