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Live Review
by SaschaS
11-2-2003
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More on: Hell Is For Heroes
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| Hell 4 Heroes build towers... of sound |
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Live: Hell Is For Heroes
Astoria, London
Monday, February 10, 2003
Hell Is For Heroes trace a path of glory
The ‘New rock revolution’ continues to unfold at the NME Awards Show 2003 series of gigs and tonight’s case is – a whole revelation. On a bill with Saves The Day, The Bellrays and The Star Spanglers, Hell is For Heroes simply shone. This was the second time, in as many weeks, of a demonstration that there is great music made by British bands that needn’t solely be required to solely chase the US model to have a career.
The first band that smeared me shades with tears of joy was InMe few weeks ago and now – this London lot. HIFH debut album, ‘The Neon Handshake’, has been delayed by over four months that gave the band even more time to establish themselves on the touring circuit. Having filled many an hour with the quality-loaded ‘’The Neon Handshake’ lately I thought I was prepared for the show but then…
They’ve honed the skills to gain a degree it is an exciting and dynamic performance that really rocks it, glams it up and then trashes it into this fine fatal ‘sonic bug’ that appears to infect all present. There is an enormous merriment going all around and the band soaks every moment of it. Flow of energy from and toward the stage is huge and almost visible, ‘conducted’ by frontman Justin Schlosberg.
The sound of the band is quite American but not simply reworking of a singular idiom but a carrier of ‘Proud Albion-ism’ galore. This band has found the way to bridge heavy indiedom of Idlewild, ear-friendly nu-metal of Deftones-ish kind plus some emo-chill and you get Hundred Reasons sadly looking on. All operating to grab your senses and emotions and hold them hostage for the duration with a repertoire full of audacious, anthemic, celebratory tunes.
It’s not only ‘I Can Climb Mountains’ that gets the hormones riotous, nor the other singles, ‘Night Vision’ and ‘You Drove Me To It’, but epic songs like ‘Five Kids Go’, ‘Out Of Sight’, ‘Three Of Clubs’, ‘Cut Down’, ‘Disconnector’… Each rough diamond is passionately melancholic as befits those ahead of a generation with a catastrophic future.
Hell Is For Heroes should be witnessed live as soon as possible because they’ll be playing arenas before one realises; not bad looking either while sounding like the proverbial outlaws the rockers are supposed to be.
SaschaS
11-2-2003
Hell Is For Heroes’ album ‘The Neon Handshake’ is available now on Chrysalis/EMI
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