ORNAMENT was formed by brothers Steve, Paul and Mike Preston while still at school in Kirkby. After having a succession of vocalists over the intervening years, Mark Downing from Rotherham established himself as the front man with his distinctive Ozzy-esque mannerisms.
They honed their skills through gigging around Liverpool in every venue from the Cavern to the Academy and back again, and established a style akin to a cross between the grunge of Pearl Jam and the metal of Black Sabbath.
After the departure of founding guitarist Mike, ORNAMENT recruited Steven Hargraves, and overnight their music subsequently became faster, louder, heavier and with more lead guitar work.
With the new songs being inspired by rare Mediaeval Spanish Canticles dating from 1283, the writings of Milan Kundera, the nature of man and religion, Phenomenology, and the potential threat of an army of thawed-out Caveman Werewolves that maybe released from glaciers through global warming; it is clear that they don’t take things too seriously, but show an imagination and wit behind the song writing.
Musically they are a down tuned, throwback to the days of classic early thrash, like Sabbath and Motorhead jamming with Slayer, but they are not afraid to throw in the odd melody for light relief here and there. The track “The Girl Who Ate Spiders” even inspired a Liverpool DJ to create a dance remix!
The years of regular gigging and rehearsal are evident in their professional approach, and they often support touring bands.
No solo is too long, no riff is too fast, and no amount of double kick bass drum is too much. They might well be neither use nor ORNAMENT; but they do provide very loud music, which is ideal for listening to.
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