 It's
starting to get dark early now, and with reports
that there will be no autumn just cold winter
nights, it’s good to know that I can warm
up inside the academy 2 with some heavy rock!
As normal it seems people are arriving fashionably
late so most will miss the first act
Zico Chain, this 3 piece from London don't half
make some noise for such a small group, with heavy
hitting drums, wailing guitars and monstrous vocals!
They're forced to play at the front of the stage
due to the main acts equipment but this helps
them get over to the crowd as there right in their
faces. They sound to me a bit like breed 77 but
without the acoustic guitars with some tool melodies
thrown in for good measure. They play a quite
a short set-list but with long songs and go down
a treat! They get the audience joining in towards
the end which is always good for an opening act.
 Heavens
Basement are up next this 4 Piece are allot heavier
than Zico Chain, straight from the go they pounce
straight into the first song with not a word spoken,
then shake the room with the heavy pounding bass,
the sound is not the best though, which leaves
vocalist Aaron Buchanan trying his hardest to
get up to par with the rest of the band. They're
very rock and roll with the classic stadium hi
hat noises and guitar solos, in most songs it's
just a shame it's not coming over due to the sound
issues. They do have allot of energy and Aaron
prances about the stage like a cat ready for his
supper, he also looks allot like Justin Hawkins
from the darkness in his attire and stage antics
which is always fun. They play newest single Fire
Fire and thank the crowd for their amazing support
recently as they’ve been making the latest
album which will be out early next year. The sound
problems clear up by the end of their set as the
pace of song speeds up leaving the closing song
Executioners Day sounding great. It’s a
shame they only sounded good near the end as it
seemed like the crowd where finally getting into
them.
 Halestorm
are the main act tonight, and the room is full
to the brim to see this female fronted 4 Piece
from Pennsylvania. Halestorm have been going for
a number of years now and have always had a dedicated
following and tonight's crowd prove that, with
everyone singing along even though it is a heavy
rock gig, with allot of tough guys standing around
in leathers (even though the room is so hot, it's
like standing in a steam room). I think it's the
power of singer Lizzy Hale that gets these rockers
going, she's enchanting and bewitching whilst
at the same time strong and commanding, as she
has the audience in the palm of her hand as she
blasts out heavy riffs on her guitar.
They open with their hit song, Love Bites (So
Do I) and continue with songs such as Its Not
You and Freaks Like Me. They sound awesome with
great levels; meaning the vocals are crisp, the
bass is raw, the guitars shred and the drums hit
hard. They play through a nice sized set with
not allot of interaction for the most part but
who needs it when the crowd is having this much
fun! They do slow it down in the middle and play
Familiar Taste of Posion from their self-titled
debut album, which leaves just Lizzie on the stage
playing piano on her own. She thanks the crowd
for supporting live music and  thanks
for the huge support and for helping to sell out
the show, she seems nervous and admits that she's
shaking from the adrenalin.
Halestorm do really well, even if they have some
cheesey lyrics and let drummer Arejay do a ten
minute drum solo, at least it’s entertaining
and something you don’t see at every gig.
I’d recommend seeing them, only next time
they’ll be playing bigger venues so the
atmosphere won’t be as crazy as it was tonight
but I’m sure you’ll still have fun.
Zico Chain 3.5/5
Heavens Basement 3/5
Halestorm 4/5
Review By James Daly
Photos By Robert Lawrence
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