Tag: Music

Categories
Live Reviews

Jamie Lenman

Jamie Lenman

Corn Exchange, Hertford

Thursday 17th November 2022

Follow us on Social Media

JAMIE LENMAN – HERTFORD – LIVE REVIEW

All 📸 (c) Denis Gorbatov / Full Pelt Music

Is there anything better than heading to an independent venue, checking out unknown supports acts before enjoying a familiar face present their latest work? Well, not for me and tonight is a prime example as we head to the Corn Exchange in Hertford.

The venue is a new one for us having never been to Hertford before let alone the newly refurbished Corn Exchange. Small, yet spacious with a well stocked bar and great views all around, the new management team have done a great job setting up this top venue.

DROWN

The unknown support act tonight is Drown, who don’t drown and in fact swim! Metaphorically that is, as they deliver a well received, well rounded opening set which gets the crowd ready for the main act, whilst also giving a glimpse of the talents the band clearly possess.

Soon enough it’s time for that familiar face to grace the stage and serenade us with songs both new and old. Tonight, that act is Jamie Lenman who is gearing up for the release of his latest solo album, ‘The Athiest’ on November 25th.

JAMIE LENMAN

Playing the fourth show of a small run of pre-release dates, the focus tonight is very much on that new album and ‘This Is All There Is’ and the fantastic single, ‘Talk Hard’ provide an energetic start to the set. ‘Talk Hard’ particularly stands out tonight in the live setting as a phenomenally catchy song.

With the highly accessible sound on ‘The Athiest’, Lenman has struck gold in both maintaining his identity and expanding his sound further than ever before. This album should gain the well travelled songsmith many new fans; with show closer ‘Lena Don’t Leave Me’ another example of why.

Older fans are also catered to tonight though with tracks from each of Lenman’s solo albums and a couple of tracks from his previous life in Reuben thrown in for good measure. There can be no complaints come the end of the night that Jamie Lenman has fully entertained those that have made the journey.

Yes, nights like these are very special indeed; a great new venue, a new musical discovery and the chance to savour one of the most effortlessly talented musicians on the road live. Do yourselves a favour, get down to your local venue and join in the fun!

Share our review on Social Media

Watch Episode 13 of The Full Pelt Music Podcast with guest Jamie Lenman

The Full Pelt Music Podcast – Episode 13 – Jamie Lenman

Find Full Pelt Music on Youtube

Read our review of Lonely The Brave live in Cambridge

Categories
Live Reviews

Evanescence / Within Temptation

Evanescence / Within Temptation

O2 Arena, London

Monday 14th November 2022

Follow us on Social Media

Evanescence / Within temptation – london – live review

In many ways the world is broken, but in others the world is now healing after the previous two to three years. All regular gig attendees had their carefully curated schedules wiped out by the pandemic. Cancellations, postponements, uncertainty, changed plans, travel and hotel arrangements in tatters; it’s not been easy for music lovers.

Most of those tours have now finally taken place, but tonight is another where digging out the tickets reminds you just how long ago you actually brought them! So, understandable then that anticipation is high and the venue is full early.

Of course the opportunity to catch both Evanescence and Within Temptation together in the same night may well be a big reason for the atmosphere in London’s O2 Arena. Before that though we get our support act Veridia, who instantly look at home on the big stage.

The group are a fitting opening act and get the crowd suitably warmed up for what’s to come. A tender performance of ‘I’ll Never Be Ready’ with Amy Lee gets those mobile phones up in the air, but there is enough in the set as a whole to warrant further investigation from new fans.

Our co-headliners are rotating the closing slot on this tour and tonight that will be Evanescence, so up next it’s Within Temptation who take to the stage complete with stunning production.

WATCH ‘FASTER’ ON YOUTUBE
Within Temptation – ‘Faster’

Find Full Pelt Music on Youtube

If the stage show wasn’t headline worthy alone, the moment the band arrive their presence and energy is truly off the charts. ‘Faster’, ‘Paradise (What About Us?)’ and ‘Stand My Ground’ all help to build on that early atmosphere and create a real moment.

The fact that singer Sharon den Adel is clearly under the weather makes the beauty of their performance even more incredible. The final run of ‘Ice Queen’, ‘What Have You Done’ and ‘Mother Earth’ provides a superb climax to the set and leaves you wondering just how Evanescence can top it!

Soon enough it’s time for them to try, albeit with a much simpler stage show. Evanescence are a rarer proposition on these shores and them going on last feels right in many ways, but as the show gets going it’s clear that the energy levels have dropped.

Their latest album, ‘The Bitter Truth’, is very good and deserves the spotlight live, but tonight following Within Temptation’s huge show it’s clear the audience are after the classics. The atmosphere therefore feels a little flatter, only rising again for the likes of ‘Going Under’, ‘Call Me When You’re Sober’ and ‘Imaginary’.

Watch ‘WASTED ON YOU’ ON YOUTUBE
Evanescence – ‘Wasted On You’

Listen to our Podcasts

New tracks like ‘Wasted On You’ do sound epic tonight however and showcase where the band are very well. Amy Lee reminds everyone what an incredible talent she is and their finale of ‘My Immortal’ and ‘Bring Me to Life’ is probably the highlight of the night.

Having waited for years for this tour neither band disappoint and with two headline worthy performances the show represents great value for money. Both bands have just been announced as returning at Download in the summer, so do the right thing and get them noted on your clashfinder now!

Share this review on Social Media

Read our review of ‘The Bitter Truth’ from Evanescence

Categories
Live Reviews

Biffy Clyro

Biffy Clyro

O2 Arena, London

Saturday 12th November

Follow us on Social Media

BIFFY CLYRO – LONDON – LIVE REVIEW

Biffy Clyro had just announced a UK Arena Tour when the world shut up shop in March 2020. Since then they’ve released two albums, headlined Reading & Leeds and Download Festivals and played an intimate run of UK dates. Now, two and a half years later the band finally gets to grace again the largest indoor venues the country has to offer.

Tonight that places them at the monstrous O2 Arena in London in front of a packed Saturday night crowd. Anticipation is high, and not just for the Scottish heroes, but for special guests Architects fresh from an arena tour of their own back in May.

Both bands will be hoping the crosspollination of their audiences will earn new admirers and for Architects up first there is clearly is mixture of diehard fans and trepidatious unfamiliar audience members.

Focusing on their more accessible recent material is a clever move from the band and tracks such as ‘deep fake’ and ‘tear gas’ ease inhibitions and start to win over those starting out on the fence.

WATCH ‘ANIMALS’ ON FROM ARCHITECTS ON YOUTUBE
Architects – ‘Animals’

A smooth and effortless run through of the likes of ‘Dead Butterflies’, ‘Doomsday’, ‘when we were young’ and closer ‘Animals’ ensures many new fans will have been found tonight. A random introduction from Joel Dommett stated that Architects are one of the best bands in the UK, and whilst our headliners have a major stake in that argument, tonight our guests have ensured that they are in the conversation.

Anybody that has seen Biffy Clyro live however will know that they are one of the most consistently impressive live forces on the circuit. Tonight, to the surprise of nobody, they are once again a level above the competition.

WATCH ‘WHO’S GOT A MATCH?’ FROM BIFFY CLYRO ON YOUTUBE
Biffy Clyro – ‘Who’s Got A Match?’

Find Full Pelt Music on Youtube

Opening trio ‘DumDum’, ‘A Hunger In Your Haunt’ and ‘Tiny Indoor Fireworks’ perhaps provide a slow start to the set but from ‘Who’s Got A Match?’ onwards the venue comes alive as the band produce the proverbial banger after banger.

The composition of the setlist is well balanced with a good mix of new, old and the return of a couple of even older pre-mainstream Biffy Clyro numbers ‘57’ and ‘Glitter and Trauma’.

The stage is simple but effective with the music the focal point tonight, and with the likes of ‘Instant History’, ‘Mountains’, ‘Wolves of Winter’ and ‘Biblical’ on offer that’s all that is really needed.

Just watching the crowd reactions to the likes of ‘Living Is A Problem Because Everything Dies’, ‘The Captain’, ‘Bubbles’ and ‘Many of Horror’ makes is so obvious that Biffy Clyro are now fully established as an elite tier act. Mon the Biff!

Share this review on Social Media

Read our review of ‘the classic symptoms of a broken spirit’ from Architects

Categories
Album Reviews

Deux Furieuses

Deux Furieuses

Songs From Planet Earth

Follow us on Social Media

DEUX FURIEUSES – SONGS FROM PLANET EARTH – ALBUM REVIEW

It takes bravery to be overtly political in the music industry these days, heaven forbid musical acts reveal their views and endanger those vital social metrics. deux furieuses have never shied away from addressing socio-political issues, so given the turmoil of the past few years, there should be no surprise that new album, ‘Songs From Planet Earth’, broaches many such subjects.

The duo have spent time recently playing with Brix Smith (The Fall), alongside Debbie Googe and Jen Macro (My Bloody Valentine). Experiences such as this continue to help harness their talents and focus them into the creation of powerful and daring work such as ‘Songs From Planet Earth’, which is the bands third album together.

In any chosen field, experimentation, shared experiences and learning opportunities combined with repetition and endurance are a pathway to evolution, progression and craft mastering. That maturity is borne out on this album.

WATCH ‘BRING DOWN THE GOVERNMENT’ ON YOUTUBE
deux furieuses – ‘Bring Down The Government’

Find Full Pelt Music on Youtube

Album opener, ‘Isolation Days’ is a slow burning number which gradually ramps up and gently welcomes the listening to the experience which follows. ‘All We Need Is Sanctuary’, builds on this and really pulls you in before ‘Bring Down The Government’ grabs you by the arms and gives you a shake!

The album then takes you on a sonic and thematic journey through many of the issues facing the world right now. Thought provoking and brutally honest, the subject matters on offer are a truly depressing reflection on the state of humanity right now. What ‘Songs From Planet Earth’ does however is offer hope; a glimmer of optimism that the power is in our hands to make positive change.

On this album, deux furieuses, capture not just a snapshot of society’s ills, but a snapshot of where they are artistically. Whilst the former is rather distressing, the latter is a band near the peak of their musical powers.

Share this review on Social Media

Read our review of Frank Turner live in Cambridge

Categories
Live Reviews

Creeper

Creeper

Roundhouse, London

Friday 4th November 2022

Follow us on Social Media

CREEPER – LONDON – LIVE REVIEW

The last time Creeper played a show like this in London, they “broke up” and vanished for a year. In advance of tonight there have been teases of some vampiric happenings in Camden, so it’s no surprise that the band’s dedicated fanbase sold out their biggest ever headline show at the iconic Roundhouse.

The theatre starts early with opening act Zetra. The gothic synth-gaze group are a fitting start to the evening and get the early attendees into the spirit for what is to come.

Main support act Bad Nerves are more of a straightforward proposition, blasting out their rough and ready punk rock anthems to the enjoyment of the audience.

Realistically however tonight was always going to be about one band and one band alone, our headliners Creeper. Before then however the vampire theme is played out again with clips from legendary vampire movies projected onto the curtain protecting the stage.

When that curtain finally drops the band burst onto an appropriately decorated stage with early fan favourite ‘VCR’, much to the delight of the packed venue. The opening guitar riff of ‘Born Cold’ then cuts the atmosphere in two and the crowd truly erupt.

WATCH ‘BORN COLD’ ON YOUTUBE
Creeper – ‘Born Cold’

Find Full Pelt Music on Youtube!

Big hitters ‘Suzanne’ and ‘Annabelle’ follow and you already know that tonight is going to be special. From here on out, it’s a true career-spanning setlist from the band with a surprising amount of early material finding its way back into the set, which again helps to feed that special feeling this evening.

Over the past year or so, Creeper have taken major leaps forward sonically and visually, on record and live. All that early promise is being fully realised and tonight feels like a celebration of everything they’ve done to this point. Both albums and all major EP’s are represented.

The stage presence of the band has come so far and seeing frontman Will Gould at the peak of his powers, and Hannah Greenwood own the stage like never before is incredible for fans that have been with the band since their humble beginnings.

Every word of every song is sung back by the passionate audience at the top of their lungs. There is a connection in place here between band and fans that is hard to describe, but we’ll attempt to with the word magical!

Stunning moments such as the live debut of ‘All My Friends’ ensure this evening is the spectacle it promised to be, but it’s what transpires after ‘Misery’ brings tonight to a beautiful close that will be talked about forever in Creeper folklore.

After a vampire beheads Gould, a video announces that the band has signed with Spinefarm Records and new single ‘Ghost Brigade’ has just been released. As one chapter closes, another begins and Creeper remain on course for greatness.

Share this review on Social Media

Read our review of ‘American Noir’ from Creeper

Categories
Live Reviews

Bury Tomorrow

Bury Tomorrow

UEA LCR, Norwich

Monday 31st October 2022

Follow us on Social Media

BURY TOMORROW – NORWICH – LIVE REVIEW

Amber leaves lay sodden on the ground, there is a crisp chill in the autumnal air and there is an awful lot of black clothing amongst the excited crowds gathering at the UEA LCR door. Yes, whilst the ghouls and spooks are out guising across Norwich this All Hallows’ Eve, the city’s metal community are haunting its largest venue.

There are no tricks here this Halloween, just the treat of a hard hitting night of action from the double-headed monster that is the co-headlining Bury Tomorrow and August Burns Red, albeit with a re-jigged undercard.

NOVELISTS FR

Gone just days ahead of the tour are Miss May I, joining Thornhill in departing the tour originally booked some 3 years ago (we all know what has transpired in that time!). Jumping in on short notice however are Novelists FR who receive a warm welcome.

As they arrive onstage in a venue festively decorated with ghostly figures, the early crowd show that they are here for some fun tonight. The French latecomers are able to deliver just what is needed to warm everyone up for the barrage of noise that is set to follow.

AUGUST BURNS RED

Up next is August Burns Red, who instantly rile the audience up with a quick run-through of System of a Down classic ‘Chop Suey!’. Clearly the band have many fans in the audience and those fans are treated to an hour of brutality from a band well versed in serving up crowd pleasing performances.

BURY TOMORROW

Our headliners Bury Tomorrow arrive onstage, dressed in white paper suits, and instantly bring the ferocity and intensity that has earned them their pedigree as a live act. The opening three tracks instigate a hot atmosphere in the crowd, until sadly a lengthy medical incident in the audience derails the momentum.

It has to be said the response from the band, the crowd, the security, the venue and medical staff is fantastic, and hopefully that individual is ok! It naturally takes a short while to find the same level of energy again, but Bury Tomorrow ensure that soon enough the party is back in full swing.

‘LIFE (Paradise Denied)’ particularly does well in getting the atmosphere back on track and helps return the band to their stride. It isn’t just Halloween that has the bodies moving tonight, and by the time the show comes to an end everyone in the venue, be it human, monster, vampire or ghost as had a great time.

Soon this tour heads off into Europe, and next year Bury Tomorrow will return with their seventh album. But right now we return to the dark, cold and creepy outdoors.

Share this review on Social Media

Read our review of ‘the classic symptoms of a broken spirit’ from Architects

Watch Episode 34 of our ‘Discover’ New Music Podcast with guests As Sirens Fall

Categories
EP Reviews

As Sirens Fall

coming of (r)age

Follow us on Social Media

As Sirens Fall

As Sirens Fall continue to forge their path with a confident and ambitious new EP. ‘coming of (r)age’ is a storming return from a band who continue their musical evolution with five more enormously catchy tracks.

‘cult’ eases us into the record and introduces us to the hook driven melodies that make this EP such an enjoyable listen sonically. Lyrically the record is a relatable and frank indictment on the dark times we find ourselves in and how we can still choose life.

‘boywhatever’ is a dancefloor filler built for the live setting and the title-track and ‘dynamite’ further demonstrate an added maturity within the band’s songwriting. Yes, this EP really is a big moment for As Sirens Fall as they set themselves up for world domination.

The EP closes with the hugely anthemic ‘heaven (spat us back out)’, which we recently featured on our ‘Discover’ New Music Playlist. The single is a true breakout moment from the band and can only be described these days as an out and out banger!

Find Full Pelt Music on Youtube

Read our review of My Chemical Romance live in Milton Keynes

Categories
Album Reviews

The Hunna

The Hunna

Self-Titled

Follow us on Social Media

THE HUNNA – SELF-TITLED – ALBUM REVIEW

The Hunna have been perennial contenders for superstardom since their hugely successful debut album, ‘100’, released back in 2016. Two further albums have followed with neither 2018’s ‘Dare’, nor 2020’s ‘I’d Rather Die Than Let You In’ able to elevate the band to that next level.

It’s a harsh reality of the music industry that the opportunities to truly breakthrough are severely limited these days. Even modern day success stories are never likely to reach the levels attained by their predecessors. It must also be said that audience attention spans are more akin these days to that proverbial goldfish.

That is a callous but pragmatic view on casual music fans. Dedicated, hardcore music fans however are a different animal all together, they are able to engage longer and deeper with the acts that deserve it. That is no doubt why The Hunna have been able to garner such a passionate and dedicated fanbase.

WATCH ‘TRASH’ ON YOUTUBE
The Hunna – ‘Trash’

Find Full Pelt Music on Youtube

This deep philosophical insight into the depravity of the music industry comes not from a random thought, but from the impactful opening to The Hunna’s self-titled fourth album. Single, ‘Trash’, is an abrasive punk rocker taking aim at the pitfalls of the industry. The storming track takes firm aim at the darker aspects of the industry that most artists are fearful to call out.

That sets up the album spectacularly, both sonically and lyrically, as the band are both honest and unashamed. From soaring pop ballads, to indie hits, all out rockers and everything in between, this is a diverse collection that represents well everything The Hunna have been and everything that they want to be.

There are moments that those goldfish will enjoy (albeit temporarily), and there is certainly plenty on this album for the diehards to sink their teeth into. The Hunna are a band that continue to grow and evolve, and this album ensures that they are as relevant now as they were back in 2016!

Share this review on Social Media

Read our review of Y Not Festival

Categories
Album Reviews

Asylums

Asylums

Signs of Life

Follow us on Social Media

ASYLUMS – SIGNS OF LIFE – ALBUM REVIEW

Southend rockers Asylums have been one of the best kept secrets in the music world since arriving on the scene with 2016 debut, ‘Killer Brain Waves’. Two more albums have followed in 2018 and 2020 with the band continuing to grow sonically and put themselves on the cusp of mainstream success.

Now, the prolific group return with their fourth studio album, ‘Signs of Life’, prepared to conquer the world once again!

Recorded at the legendary Rockfield Studios (in the room that Queen recorded ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ no less), with the revered producer Dave Eringa (Manic Street Preachers, Idlewild), you can sense that level of creative genius running through this superb collection of songs.

There is a real diverse palette of genre-bending output spread across an album that rocks hard, has indie mainstream appeal and leans into some off the cuff influences as well.

WATCH ‘INSTANT COFFEE’ FROM ASYLUMS ON YOUTUBE
Asylums – ‘Instant Coffee’

Find Full Pelt Music on Youtube

Whilst tracks such as ‘Instant Coffee’ and album opener ‘Scatterbrain’ are instantly gratifying just like those much needed early morning gulps of caffeinated goodness, every track on this album deserves attention.

In fact, there is so much here to sink your teeth into that you could describe this album as a real smorgasbord of music.

From start to finish ‘Signs of Life’ is a joy to listen to and is most definitely Asylums at their very best. Perhaps it’s finally time that the secret gets out and Asylums make an indelible mark of this hyperactive industry!

Share this review on Social Media

Read our review of Pulled Apart By Horses live in Norwich

Categories
Live Reviews

Sum 41

Sum 41

Alexandra Palace, London

Friday 21st October 2022

Follow us on Social Media

SUM 41 – LONDON – LIVE REVIEW

Outside the venue its wet, miserable and 2022 is kicking our ass. Once inside Alexandra Palace in London however, well, its summer 2001, we’re with our friends and we don’t have a care in the world!

Yes, tonight the venue plays host to not just headliners Sum 41 but also special guests Simple Plan as we all get to relive our youth. But up first, some fresh blood and local artist Cassyette, who has been busy making a name for herself over the past couple of years.

With tonight’s show sold out well in advance, there is a decent crowd in early for her to impress and impress she does. Owning the stage like a seasoned veteran, she is able to stir up that early crowd and get them engaged fully in proceedings.

Tracks such as ‘Dear Goth’ and ‘Mayhem’ sound huge in this large venue and intimate that hers is a name that will become more familiar for the masses in the future.

WATCH ‘DEAR GOTH’ ON YOUTUBE
Cassyette – ‘Dear Goth’

After a short gap, Simple Plan are ready to launch into a barrage of pop punk goodness. With a full production behind them, and the audience lapping up every moment, you’d be forgiven for thinking that Simple Plan were the headliners tonight.

All the fan favourites are present as the band commence our journey back in time. This is an immensely fun show that reinforces just how iconic Simple Plan are in their field.

Finally it’s time for headliners Sum 41 to arrive on stage to huge levels of expectation. With the band celebrating the anniversaries of their first two albums, ‘All Killer No Filler’ and ‘Does This Look Infected?’, fans are ready for a party.

WATCH ‘WAR’ ON YOUTUBE
Sum 41 – ‘War’

Find Full Pelt Music on Youtube

And it’s a party that they get with barely any lull in pace or atmosphere. Fan favourites such as ‘Motivation’, ‘The Hell Song’, ‘We’re All to Blame’, ‘War’ and ‘Underclass Hero’ dominate the setlist.

Whilst those two early albums are focused on, it’s a career spanning set from the band. Add to this pyro galore and you have a sensational show. ‘In Too Deep’, ‘Pieces’ and ‘Still Waiting’ all feature later in a relentlessly good set.

By the time the evening ends with ‘Fat Lip’, the band have succeeded in removing all our cares and have done their legacy justice.

Share this review on Social Media

Read our review of The Hella Mega Tour