Still riding high on the success of Common Dreads, the St Albans mentalists announced a one off show in London to celebrate the birthday of guitarist Rory C. The gig, which had only 350 tickets available, sold out in an astounding time of five minutes, with over 10,000 fans trying to hold of tickets. With the band returning from Thailand with album #3 under their belts and without playing a live show in a few months, people aren't expecting miracles. Instead, they get one of the best nights of their lives.
Enter Shikari pull back no punches tonight. Despite several minor technical glitches, the band are forgiven as what they deliver ensures that everyone leaves the room with huge grins on their faces. From the synth laiden glory of Solidarity, right through to the closing screams on OK, Time for Plan B, Shikari present what can only be described as the funnest show of the year. This isn't an arena spectacular, there aren't fireworks coming out the roof or any surprises. In fact, the setlist tonight is fairly predictable ,with the exception of new song Quelle Surprise, but that's just fine. The band make all the old songs seem fresh, as if this is the first time they've ever played them. The lads themselves tonight are having the time of their lives, with Rou, Rory and Chris diving into the crowd at any given opportunity. The crowd participation is imaculate tonight as well, with human pyramids being formed during Sorry You're Not A Winner and wave after wave of crowdsurfers during the magnificant Juggernauts. Tonight is more than an Enter Shikari gig, the intimate setting produces a sense of unity between the band and the audience, as they get to say farwell to the band before they head out on the rolling beast that is the Vans Warped Tour in America. Tonight, Enter Shikari have destroyed the Dingwalls. Let's hope they keep it up for the UK tour in October.
Friday 24 June 2011
Monday 21 February 2011
Funeral For A Friend - London Borderline
Shows like these with Welsh hardcore bruisers Funeral For A Friend are incredibly rare indeed. The Borderline, no bigger than a teenagers bedroom, has played host to some huge names over the years, Funeral joining a list of them. However, this show is put on by HMV as part of their week long festival, the "Next Big Thing". Funeral, having been on the scene for almost a decade now, should in no way be in the shadow of this dooming title. However, with the release of "Welcome Home, Armageddon!" looming ever closer and critics going mad for it, Funeral look like they're about to make a triumphant return to their former glory days, and are about to infect the nation, no, THE WORLD, with the return of their hardcore roots.
Tonights show gets of to a slow start. A very, slow start. Up first are Spy Catcher, who are replacing FFAF associates The Blackout. The band rattle through their set with no life in them what so ever. Vocalist/guitarist Steve Sears looks a bit worse for wear tonight, and it shows not only through his stage pesona, but his voice too. The capacity of the Borderline is little over 250, and when Spy Catcher take to the stage, less than quater of the sold out audience is here. Not a great way to start the night.
Up next are Canterbury, a band who are slowly but surely making a name for themselves through their energetic live shows. Vocalist/guitarist Mike Sparks is full of energy tonight, churning outh synth filled solo after synth filled solo. Canterbury have many fans in the audience tonight, and you can see that by the time they leave the stage, they've possibly made a few more.
The Borderline has the acoustics of a cardboard box, though this doesn't effect Funeral in the slightest. With a fairly predictable setlist, the crowd doesn't expect many suprises tonight, but this doesn't snag at the specticle they're about to witness. Songs such as Roses for the Dead and Red is the New Black sound majestic tonight, and new songs are a plenty tonight in the form of Sixteen, Damned if You Do, Dead if You Don't, Serpents in Solitude, Man Alive and Front Row Seats to the End of the World. Each of these songs sound incredible tonight, and with vocalist Matt Davies encouraging circle pits and walls of death, the crowd know that this is the just the tip of the iceburg for when the new album comes out. The band themselves tonight are on top form. Newest addition to the line up, bassist Richard Bouche, fits like a glove, and you can see through the smiles on all five members faces that this is the happiest they've been with their shows AND music in a long, long time. By the time final song Escape Artists Never Die reaches it's outro, Matt has flung himself into the audience, and met by an onslaught of fan after fan.
Funeral have demonstrated tonight that they are the best at what they do. They have shown that they still have what it takes to put on an amazing live performance, without fancy lighting or stage equipment. And although the set tonight is under an hour long, Funeral For A Friend have proved that they have, and always will be, about the music.
Tonights show gets of to a slow start. A very, slow start. Up first are Spy Catcher, who are replacing FFAF associates The Blackout. The band rattle through their set with no life in them what so ever. Vocalist/guitarist Steve Sears looks a bit worse for wear tonight, and it shows not only through his stage pesona, but his voice too. The capacity of the Borderline is little over 250, and when Spy Catcher take to the stage, less than quater of the sold out audience is here. Not a great way to start the night.
Up next are Canterbury, a band who are slowly but surely making a name for themselves through their energetic live shows. Vocalist/guitarist Mike Sparks is full of energy tonight, churning outh synth filled solo after synth filled solo. Canterbury have many fans in the audience tonight, and you can see that by the time they leave the stage, they've possibly made a few more.
The Borderline has the acoustics of a cardboard box, though this doesn't effect Funeral in the slightest. With a fairly predictable setlist, the crowd doesn't expect many suprises tonight, but this doesn't snag at the specticle they're about to witness. Songs such as Roses for the Dead and Red is the New Black sound majestic tonight, and new songs are a plenty tonight in the form of Sixteen, Damned if You Do, Dead if You Don't, Serpents in Solitude, Man Alive and Front Row Seats to the End of the World. Each of these songs sound incredible tonight, and with vocalist Matt Davies encouraging circle pits and walls of death, the crowd know that this is the just the tip of the iceburg for when the new album comes out. The band themselves tonight are on top form. Newest addition to the line up, bassist Richard Bouche, fits like a glove, and you can see through the smiles on all five members faces that this is the happiest they've been with their shows AND music in a long, long time. By the time final song Escape Artists Never Die reaches it's outro, Matt has flung himself into the audience, and met by an onslaught of fan after fan.
Funeral have demonstrated tonight that they are the best at what they do. They have shown that they still have what it takes to put on an amazing live performance, without fancy lighting or stage equipment. And although the set tonight is under an hour long, Funeral For A Friend have proved that they have, and always will be, about the music.
Saturday 5 February 2011
Chase the Sunset - Nights Like These
Chase the Sunset, like many other bands, are incredibly hard to throw into a sub category. Screaming vocals dominate over this EP, however the clean vocals also thrown into the mix are refreshing for the listener. Double bass work is magestic, yet simple beats and lighter dynamics again refresh the listener. In short, this band has something for everyone (within reason) the elements of metal mixed with good old fashioned rock is enough to suite anyone.
Title track "Nights Like These" sets the ball rolling and doesn't let up. Although the intro may be slow, don't be fooled by this slightly shakey start. The guitar work is imaculate throughout, and the upper licks used are incredibly dominating, giving this track it's own voice. Other tracks such as "Pitiful" also showcase a fresh variation on the metal/rock genre. Vocal screams vary throughout the entire record, more than what can be said for most bands within the genre. From low growls, Marilyn Manson style whispers, to strong throat shredding screams, the vocal work is immaculate.
The only criticism I have on this record is the lack of emphasis. Chase the Sunset show a lot of promise within this EP, but it feels like it's missing something, maybe it's the lack of bass, there's just nothing memorable here. The guitars are fantastic, the vocals are fresh, the drums are imaculate, but there's nothing here that will stay fresh in your mind. Don't get me wrong, what this band is doing is something rarely seen in music nowadays, they're not jumping on a bandwagon here, but there's not anything here that will stay glued on your mind.
To conclude Chase the Sunset have shown a lot of promise on this EP, and it's definitely worth a listen. However nothing really stands out, there's not exactly any memorable songs. This band has a bright and prosperous future, they just need to shake things up a little.
Title track "Nights Like These" sets the ball rolling and doesn't let up. Although the intro may be slow, don't be fooled by this slightly shakey start. The guitar work is imaculate throughout, and the upper licks used are incredibly dominating, giving this track it's own voice. Other tracks such as "Pitiful" also showcase a fresh variation on the metal/rock genre. Vocal screams vary throughout the entire record, more than what can be said for most bands within the genre. From low growls, Marilyn Manson style whispers, to strong throat shredding screams, the vocal work is immaculate.
The only criticism I have on this record is the lack of emphasis. Chase the Sunset show a lot of promise within this EP, but it feels like it's missing something, maybe it's the lack of bass, there's just nothing memorable here. The guitars are fantastic, the vocals are fresh, the drums are imaculate, but there's nothing here that will stay fresh in your mind. Don't get me wrong, what this band is doing is something rarely seen in music nowadays, they're not jumping on a bandwagon here, but there's not anything here that will stay glued on your mind.
To conclude Chase the Sunset have shown a lot of promise on this EP, and it's definitely worth a listen. However nothing really stands out, there's not exactly any memorable songs. This band has a bright and prosperous future, they just need to shake things up a little.
Sunday 9 January 2011
Funeral For A Friend - The Young and Defenceless
Funeral For A Friend are, to say the least, the main heartbeat of the hardcore scene in the UK. Their 2003 debut "Casually Dressed and Deep in Conversation" propelled them into superstardom. From winning Kerrang awards to sell out tours, Funeral had it all before they'd properly found their feet. Back then, the band were taking bands such as My Chemical Romance under their wing as a support act. Now, MCR are selling out arenas all over the world. To put it bluntly, Funeral For A Friend are the most under rated band this genre has ever produced. It's difficult to explain quite what happened to Funeral after the release of mega album "Hours", with two key members leaving the band and albums that just didn't quite cut if with most fans, many would have expected Funeral to just disappear into the sunset with their heads held high, knowing that they had set the high ground for hardcore bands worldwide.
Get real.
2010 saw the release of four track EP "The Young and Defenceless". This 13 minute gem rekindled many a fans love affair with FFAF, and it's easy too see why this has been so popular. The message of pure bone idleness and ignorance in this EP screams out at the listener, and Matthew Davies lyrics showboat a thoroughly pissed off man indeed. The mental imagery that songs like "Vultures" produce for the listener is enough to just turn the record off and walk away, laying back in the comfort of your own bed and throwing on a bit of JLS to forget about it. But Funeral are a band with a message, and they're going to scream it until their vocal chords are nothing but dust.
EP opener "Serpents in Solitude" is not only lyrically brilliant, but one that was definately made for the mosh pits. Ryan's throat shredding vocals dominate the track, and just emphasize Matt's point. Lyrically, the song is basically a huge "Fuck you" to everyone who sits on their arse day in, day out. With first line "Question, nothing will come of them", dominating the entire song, Matt has outdone himself on the lyrical side of things. Musically, this song is perfect for the pit and head banging. Ryans double bass work in the opening riff along with Gav and Kris' guitar work and Rich's chugging bass riff create such a beat that it's impossible not to bang your head just thinking of it, even if you're in a room with your grandparents.
Second track "Vultures" starts off with an almost mellow bass riff and a repeating drum pattern, however the song does get a lot heavier. Maybe not continuing the feel Serpents left you with, but it's a damn good song to put on the EP. The imagery given to you through Matt's lyrics, particually "Sacraficial lambs, led to the slaughter. We eat the shit, they feed us every day" doesn't exactly lighten the mood set earlier on, but again, this record isn't one that's going to make you feel great about life. Funeral wants you too take a stand about what is going on in the world today, and this is the perfect song to make anyone stand up and question just what the fuck is going on in the modern world.
"Damned if You Do, Dead if You Don't" is quite definately the highlight of the EP. A song that feels so thrash you might forget it's a Funeral For A Friend record and makes you question if they threw Metallica on there for the hell of it. Matt's lyrics do not differ much throughout the entire record, but they certainly stick out a lot more on this song. Maybe it's the interesting vocal change in the build up to the chorus, or the chants of Damned if You Do, Dead if You Don't in the chorus itself, but the message feels a lot clearer throughout this track. A bridge in the middle of the song makes the listener imagine a wall of death spreading out at a concert, and you know that when this track is played live, many a body will be flying over the barrier.
Last song "Sixteen" doesn't disapoint, however it does feel out of place. There's almost a, dare I say, pop element to it. It may have to do with the higher pitched guitar riff at the end, or the fact that this is the only song on the EP that doesn't feature Ryan's screams. It does feel like this is a song that rightfully deserves a place on this four track gem, but not as a closer. A song that doesn't let up once throughout, "Sixteen" definately shows Funeral's ability to write powerful songs, and shows that they're not a band made up of breakdowns or aggression. Once you hear the soaring guitar towards the end, it feels like this is the bands way of celebrating their return onto the map of rock music.
Funeral may have been overseen over the past few years, but if this EP is just a taster of what the new full length album (titled Welcome Home, Armageddon), then it won't be long before Funeral For A Friend rightfully claim back their title of the worlds best hardcore band.
Get real.
2010 saw the release of four track EP "The Young and Defenceless". This 13 minute gem rekindled many a fans love affair with FFAF, and it's easy too see why this has been so popular. The message of pure bone idleness and ignorance in this EP screams out at the listener, and Matthew Davies lyrics showboat a thoroughly pissed off man indeed. The mental imagery that songs like "Vultures" produce for the listener is enough to just turn the record off and walk away, laying back in the comfort of your own bed and throwing on a bit of JLS to forget about it. But Funeral are a band with a message, and they're going to scream it until their vocal chords are nothing but dust.
EP opener "Serpents in Solitude" is not only lyrically brilliant, but one that was definately made for the mosh pits. Ryan's throat shredding vocals dominate the track, and just emphasize Matt's point. Lyrically, the song is basically a huge "Fuck you" to everyone who sits on their arse day in, day out. With first line "Question, nothing will come of them", dominating the entire song, Matt has outdone himself on the lyrical side of things. Musically, this song is perfect for the pit and head banging. Ryans double bass work in the opening riff along with Gav and Kris' guitar work and Rich's chugging bass riff create such a beat that it's impossible not to bang your head just thinking of it, even if you're in a room with your grandparents.
Second track "Vultures" starts off with an almost mellow bass riff and a repeating drum pattern, however the song does get a lot heavier. Maybe not continuing the feel Serpents left you with, but it's a damn good song to put on the EP. The imagery given to you through Matt's lyrics, particually "Sacraficial lambs, led to the slaughter. We eat the shit, they feed us every day" doesn't exactly lighten the mood set earlier on, but again, this record isn't one that's going to make you feel great about life. Funeral wants you too take a stand about what is going on in the world today, and this is the perfect song to make anyone stand up and question just what the fuck is going on in the modern world.
"Damned if You Do, Dead if You Don't" is quite definately the highlight of the EP. A song that feels so thrash you might forget it's a Funeral For A Friend record and makes you question if they threw Metallica on there for the hell of it. Matt's lyrics do not differ much throughout the entire record, but they certainly stick out a lot more on this song. Maybe it's the interesting vocal change in the build up to the chorus, or the chants of Damned if You Do, Dead if You Don't in the chorus itself, but the message feels a lot clearer throughout this track. A bridge in the middle of the song makes the listener imagine a wall of death spreading out at a concert, and you know that when this track is played live, many a body will be flying over the barrier.
Last song "Sixteen" doesn't disapoint, however it does feel out of place. There's almost a, dare I say, pop element to it. It may have to do with the higher pitched guitar riff at the end, or the fact that this is the only song on the EP that doesn't feature Ryan's screams. It does feel like this is a song that rightfully deserves a place on this four track gem, but not as a closer. A song that doesn't let up once throughout, "Sixteen" definately shows Funeral's ability to write powerful songs, and shows that they're not a band made up of breakdowns or aggression. Once you hear the soaring guitar towards the end, it feels like this is the bands way of celebrating their return onto the map of rock music.
Funeral may have been overseen over the past few years, but if this EP is just a taster of what the new full length album (titled Welcome Home, Armageddon), then it won't be long before Funeral For A Friend rightfully claim back their title of the worlds best hardcore band.
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