Entering
to the 'Undertakers' theme music, The Smoking
Hearts burst their way through a short opening
set including fast paced 'Destroy' and they have
the growing audience under good influence from
the get go. They are a little raucous for my liking,
very bash and crash screamo. Great interaction
with the crowd from the boys of London though.
Sounding a little like a mix of a slightly heavier
version of Jane's Addiction, Alkaline Trio and
Deftones live, are tonight's main support act
Dayshell.
The
band have a fantastic connection with the crowd,
encouraging everyone to bounce and join in with
their interesting vocal mix.
After the first two high paced tracks, we slow
it down with 'Avatar', displaying frontman Shayley's
vocal talents further, from angelic to demonic
in a split second. Although he is recovering from
a cold, and his throat is struggling somewhat
this evening he confesses.
The
crowd seem a little motionless for a brief moment
during the following track, almost mesmerised,
possibly lost interest after what appeared to
start out as a good set. Regardless, the crowd
give them a good applause, and I think they may
certainly be one to try and listen to again.
Just after 9am, the crowd are really starting
to chant for tonight's headline act, the mighty
Halestorm.
This
is the first time I have actually managed to catch
the band live after many failed attempts, so I
like the rest of the room am excited to see what
is about to unfold on stage. Once again, the crowd
chant and cheer as Halestorm take to the stage,
and proceed to smash the academy's back doors
in with 'I Miss The Misery'. Lzzy's voice is incredible,
as she leads the rest of the band, for more high
powered performance along with the crowd, for
'Love Bites (so do I)', during which there is
one of the biggest screams from a crowd I have
ever heard and respectfully so, a massive applause
at the end.
'It's
Not You' continues the fast pace of the evening,
as does 'Freak Like Me' before a brief few words
from Lzzy, including talking about featuring on
the latest tribute album for Ronnie James Dio,
with their cover of 'Straight Through The Heart'
which is next track this evening. Interestingly
enough, Halestorm's current set list is inclusive
of a few covers, from their recently released
EP 'Reanimation 2.0', including Fleetwood Mac's
'Gold Dust Woman' which sounds awesome with a
Halestorm spin to it.
Taking
things down a touch mid set with 'Break In', sang
so passionately by Lzzy with the wonderful undertones
of the Birmingham accented crowd, followed by
'Familiar Taste Of Poison' before the epic drum
solo from Arejay, which is just fascinating to
witness! After the brief breather, it's back on
it full steam ahead with a cover of Judas Priest's
'Dissident Agressor', the Insanely epic, 'Mz.Hyde',
followed not too long after with new track 'Mayhem'
which is slightly different to the usual sound
of Halestorm for me, not in a bad way but I can't
quite make up my mind about it. Set closers are
the brilliantly covered 'Get Lucky' (Daft Punk)
and 'Here's To Us', a great end to a great evening
of music and pure rock showmanship, so 'here's
to you' Halestorm, a huge 5/5!
The Smoking Hearts 2/5
Dayshell 2/5
Halestorm 5/5
Review By Jude Onions
Photos By Robert Lawrence
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