There’s a palpable sense of anticipation
surrounding Manchester’s Club Academy this
evening, all in aid of US metalcore outfit, Attack
Attack! Having been forced to postpone their October
dates, one would expect AA! to come out guns blazing,
alas the excitable throng has to wait a tiny bit
longer, three support slots longer to be precise.
Manchester’s very own Plagues are first
up and deliver a crushing set, a truly exciting
prospect for not only the local hardcore scene,
but for the UK’s as a whole. Next up is
Italian quintet Hopes Die Last, their Underoath
inspired offerings go down well, with the single
‘Some Like It Cold’ inspiring the
first mosh-pit of the night. Bury Tomorrow have
been prominent on the UK hardcore scene for some
time now, and tonight Manchester shows them the
welcome that they deserve. The five-piece storm
through their set in a ‘take-no-prisoners’
fashion, whipping the crowd into a frenzy, once
again showing anything that the Yanks can do,
we can do better.
Having witnessed some of the scenes finest offerings
does not seem enough for tonight’s crowd;
there is only one band they have come to see.
This band is Ohio based quartet Attack Attack!
Immediately there is a surge in energy and the
masses expel three months worth of pent up energy,
resulting in a claustrophobic swell at the front
of the stage. Now the show can begin.
Not content with the swarms of sweaty youths
flying towards him head first, frontman Caleb
Shomo urges the crowd to up the tempo once more.
Though it seems unlikely that the crowd can match
the immeasurable energy of Attack Attack!, they
certainly give it a go, culminating in even the
most innocent of tattooed bystanders throwing
their trademark shapes.
Bringing the set to a close with their most popular
single ‘Stick Stickly’ may have been
a predictable end, but it certainly goes down
a treat with the kids down at the front. Despite
being three months overdue, Attack Attack! appear
to have quelled the eagerness of their Manchester
collective for now, and with that Shomo and co.
exit the stage for the next city and the next
set of adoring, if not slightly crazy, fans.
Plagues 3/5
Hopes Die Last 4/5
Bury Tomorrow 4/5
Attack Attack! 4/5
Review By Ben Connell
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