Norma
Jean
The Chariot, Dead And Divine, Admirals Arms
Birmingham, Academy 3
27th February 2012
What
a difference a few days makes Going from probably
the biggest venue in Birmingham to one of the
smallest in the space of 3 days, Rammstein on
Saturday and this gig on the Monday, thankfully
both gigs provided me with a decent opportunity
to get some good photos, a chance that you can't
pass up!
First band up are Admirals Arms, a metal band
from France with members from all over the place
it seems. Their a rather decent outfit, they have
got some decent riffs, catchy at times, there
not the heaviest band by any means, nor the fastest,
but they make up for that with some listenable
metal songs, the vocals are fairly decent, although
strangely for a French man to sound American with
a cross between shouted and cleaner vocals, mostly
understandable too. The drumming is decent and
they’re a very lively band on stage great
to watch them bouncing around the stage. A solid
start to the night setting the bar decently high!
Next
up are Dead and Divine, a post hardcore band from
Canada. Again another decent melodic band, plenty
of decent riffs, not the fastest again but they
know how softens decent tune,’ solid drumming
and bass playing, another really decent visual
performance, so far the first two bands have played
really well, got themselves some decent tunes.
Dead and divines singer again mostly clean vocals,
giving it his all backed up by good guitar work,
their post hardcore sound is easy to listen to
and rock out at the same time, overall again a
good band, 2 for 2 so far.
Next
up are The Chariot, a band as I hear it, that
everyone is here to see, and instantly I can see
why, somehow while going absolutely mental on
stage they manage to play their math core sound,
noisy to say the least, I've no idea why it's
called mathcore to be honest, it's noisy really
noisy, it's sounds very disjointed as the band
is going mental, and one of the guitarists being
beset with a few technical issues, kinda broke
up the momentum at the start of the set which
they got back very quickly as they blasted through
their songs. It was a lively set but not the best
of music to my ears.
Headliners
are Norma Jean, a metal core band that due to
their time as a band should surely be playing
larger venues than the Academy 3, downgraded from
the Academy 2 so I hear, it’s not so bad
as it makes for a more intimate show. They open
energetically with Leaderless and self enlisted,
which is followed by A Grand Scene for a Colour
Film, they seem to be following The chariots example
of being rather energetic only a bit more self
control, being in the pit is a bit safer this
time around. They continue their set with Face:
Face, Robots, Dilemamachine, Bastardizer, this
band is really cooking up a storm, as the crowd
goes a tad mental in front of me, as I watch on
from the back of this rather sweaty venue. A Small
Spark vs A Great Forest, The Anthem of the Angry
Brides start the nearing of the end of this rather
excellent set and I’m rather mystified as
to why this gig was downgraded when they put on
shows like this, where are the fans? Memphis Will
Be Laid to Waste and Vipers, Snakes, and Actors
close out this superb set.
Overall
it’s been a good night of music, I haven't
seen or listened to any of these bands before,
but it has been a consistently good night for
music, it’s a shame all gigs aren't like
this.
Admirals Arms 3.5/5
Dead And Divine 3.5/5
The Chariot 3/5
Norma Jean 4/5
Review By Robert Lawrence
|
